An Taisce deeply honoured to welcome the President of Ireland to historic Tailors' Hall Banner image: from left — An Taisce CEO Gary Freemantle, President of Ireland Catherine Connolly, Chair of An Taisce Terri Morrissey and An Taisce President Phil Kearney (from President.ie) An Taisce was deeply honoured to welcome President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly to Tailors' Hall. It was one of the President's first engagements of her new term and she gave a powerful address at the event. You can watch her address in the video below. The event included a short seminar: 'Snapshots on Climate Change and its impacts on our welfare' with an impressive line-up of expert speakers exploring a multi-dimensional response to climate change and the inter-dependent biodiversity crisis. It was followed by a reception where the President met the speakers, guests and some of the wonderful class of 2025 Climate Ambassadors. It opened with the President warmly welcomed by An Taisce CEO Gary Freemantle, followed by Chair of An Taisce Terri Morrissey, who gave her welcome and introduction followed by video messages including from Professor John Sweeney from COP30 in Brazil. Speakers then included Head of Advocacy Dr Elaine McGoff, and there were two panel sessions. One of these was chaired by Dr McGoff and the second by An Taisce Trustee, Helen Shaw. The event's closing remarks and thanks were given by President of An Taisce, Phil Kearney. Welcome to the President and outline of seminar from An Taisce CEO Gary Freemantle: "It is an honour to gather here in Tailors’ Hall, the historic home of An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland. And it is a privilege to welcome President Catherine Connolly, whose leadership continues to remind us that climate action is a matter of justice, responsibility, and intergenerational care. We have been inspired by your very particular focus on your pledge under Article 12 of the Irish Constitution to act as a guardian for the welfare of people, and your focus on Ireland’s role and need for moral leadership on an international stage. "We gather at a critical moment. With COP30 upon us, the world is asking whether we can still change course. The signs—scientific and social—are stark. But today is not about despair. It is about galvanising focus: sharpening our response, deepening our collaboration, and grounding our actions in evidence, ethics, and fairness. "This event is designed to give us a snapshot of the full picture—from global context to national responsibilities, from legal frameworks to lived realities. to share and integrate perspectives in the type of truly transformative response needed to address global heating and the impacts of climate change "We begin with Professor Jennie Stephens, who will speak to the ethical and moral imperatives of climate action and the principle of leaving no one behind. "We then turn to a global lens, with an update from Professor John Sweeney reporting from COP30 in Belém—what is at stake, the state of play, and Ireland’s position in the wider climate effort. "Our first panel will then explore the legal architecture shaping climate action as an intergenerational duty. Dr Andrew Jackson and Dr Orla Kelleher will set out where we stand, what the data shows, and what these frameworks mean for people, communities, and the environment. We will also hear from Professor Áine Ryall, speaking from the heart of environmental democracy on the essential role of the Aarhus Convention. "Panel two will bring us home to Ireland’s lived experience with perspectives on social justice, farming, science, energy, natural heritage, and youth engagement. These snapshots will show how climate change is impacting Ireland—and how Ireland is impacting climate. "Across all sessions, one message threads through: the crises of climate and biodiversity are inseparable, and the transition must be just, inclusive, and grounded in community needs. "As Ireland’s National Trust, An Taisce works across advocacy, education, heritage and science. From that vantage point, we know Ireland can do far more—and do it far better—when we act together with clarity and courage. "Thank you for being here at this crucial moment. It is now my pleasure to invite our Chair, Terri Morrissey, to say a few words and introduce the President of Ireland. "Go raibh míle maith agaibh." Video link from President.ie of the President Connolly's address (please choose enable to view) Closing thanks from the President of An Taisce, Phil Kearney: "A Uachtaráin, thank you for prompting this unique event here in An Taisce’s spiritual home, Tailors’ Hall, bringing together a kaleidoscope of climate experts and activists demonstrating the excellent work that is underway in academia, in education and in the NGO sector. "This gathering is a concrete manifestation of your commitment to make the existential threat of climate change one of the central themes of your presidency - as you indicated in your inaugural address. "I wish to make a prediction. In years to come, people will ask 'were you at the event in Tailors' Hall in November 2025 where President Connolly spoke about climate issues'. It will be regarded as a turning point. "We thank you for honouring us in An Taisce with the opportunity to host this exceptional event. The issues raised are core elements of our mission and we are most grateful for that recognition. You embody the values that we have inscribed in our Strategic Plan - acting with integrity, leadership and courage. "I want to also acknowledge the many colleagues from other settings who agreed at very short notice to share their experience and expertise with us today. It is a measure both of their passion for the issues involved and the esteem in which they hold you, a Uachtaráin. Go raibh maith agat." Manage Cookie Preferences