The new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, attended the county’s Twelfth of July celebrations in Irvinestown today.
Mr Benn met local dignitaries before the official Twelfth Parade took place.
“It’s a great pleasure to be here in Irvinestown. Obviously, the Twelfth of July is a very, very special day,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the parade and seeing this celebration of culture and history.
“It’s the first time I’ve been in Northern Ireland on the Twelfth of July. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens and watching the celebrations in a family friendly way, which I know will happen today in Irvinestown.”
Yesterday he met with Tánaiste Mícheál Martin at Hillsborough Castle as both governments work towards restoring better relations between the UK and Ireland.
Mr Benn had been the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland since September 2023. He also served in the cabinet from 2003 to 2010 under Labour Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
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