Tugann an tUachtarán Connolly cuairt ar Chumann Ríoga Dhún Éideann

It's a privilege and honour to be here today.

Thank you very much for this privilege.

I think it's not easy for me, but I think it's very important to be able to talk to people.

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, I accept this honour with humility and with pride, and pride in the work that the Royal Society of Edinburgh has carried out over the years in its almost 250 year history, just short a few years.

And that work has sought to promote knowledge and learning for learning's sake, if I might misquote you a little bit.

emphasizing the connection between our countries in terms of research and academia, but based on the core mission of advancing learning and knowledge for the public good.

Now, more than ever, that message is vitally important.

Learning for learning sake.

And I'm very conscious that I have been given this honorary fellowship and so many distinguished people have gone before me.

And I come from Galway City and Alexander Nemo, the engineer who qualified in mathematics and classics and was also multilingual, as I understand it, went on to become an engineer, went to Ireland, and worked himself to death, I understand, building public structures for the public good in Ireland.

And I understand he's a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

And I suppose, I just want to thank you.

I am honored and privileged, and I will do my best to live up to the honor that you have bestowed upon me.

Míle buíochas dhíibh go naire.