The streets of Dublin were kept busy yesterday as French President Emmanuel Macron made his first official visit to Ireland.
The day began in Phoenix Park as President Michael D. Higgins welcomed Macron to Aras an Uachtaráin. His visit was just one day but it was a busy twenty-four hours.
During his time here, the French President visited Trinity College and the Book of Kells. He also went to Sweney’s Pharmacy on Lincoln Place, which featured in Joyce’s Ulysses.
He held a press conference with Taoiseach Micheál Martin to discuss Covid-19, Afghanistan and Brexit.
To end the visit, President Macron returned to Áras an Uachtaráin for a reception in his honour.
Tourism Ireland helped to decorate a number of landmarks with the colours of the French flag, including Custom House and the Samuel Beckett Bridge.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: ”As we look forward to rebuilding tourism from France, today’s visit by President Macron is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Dublin to a huge audience of prospective holidaymakers across France.”
France is one of the top four markets for tourism to the island of Ireland. In 2019, over 557,000 French visitors came to the island of Ireland.