Peruvian Irish community meets with Michael D Higgins to mark centenary

Claire Murphy ·

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President Higgins signs a book for 8 year old Saylor Burke at a reception in Aras an Uachtarain for representatives of the Peruvian community in Ireland to celebrate the 195th anniversary of the Independence of Peru. Picture; Gerry Mooney

The Peruvian Irish Community met with President Michael D Higgins to mark the Irish centenary and 195 years of Peruvian independence.

The meeting came ahead of the President's visit to Peru next week - his first official trip to the South American country.

The community spoke to the President about our similar cultures, histories and values. Some dressed in typical dress from the three regions of Peru - the coast (Marinera), the highlands (Ñusta) and the jungle (Ashaninka).

The community presented him with a token to mark the occasion and some symbols of the connection between the two countries - a selection of Peruvian potatoes grown in Ireland and a book about Irish revolutionary  Roger Casement, who also defended human rights in Putumayo, the Amazonas region of Peru.

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President Higgins signs a book for 8 year old Saylor Burke at a reception in Aras an Uachtarain for representatives of the Peruvian community in Ireland to celebrate the 195th anniversary of the Independence of Peru. Picture; Gerry Mooney
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Sisters Calla and Saylor Burke at a reception in Aras an Uachtarain for representatives of the Peruvian community in Ireland to celebrate the 195th anniversary of the Independence of Peru. Picture; Gerry Mooney
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Jully Nevado pictured in cultural dress at a reception in Aras an Uachtarain for representatives of the Peruvian community in Ireland to celebrate the 195th anniversary of the Independence of Peru. Picture; Gerry Mooney
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Sisters Calla and Saylor Burke at a reception in Aras an Uachtarain for representatives of the Peruvian community in Ireland to celebrate the 195th anniversary of the Independence of Peru. Picture; Gerry Mooney
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President Higgins signs a book for 8 year old Saylor Burke at a reception in Aras an Uachtarain for representatives of the Peruvian community in Ireland to celebrate the 195th anniversary of the Independence of Peru. Picture; Gerry Mooney
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President Higgins meets members of the Peruvian community in Ireland at a reception in Aras an Uachtarain to celebrate the 195th anniversary of the Independence of Peru. Picture; Gerry Mooney
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Sisters Calla and Saylor Burke at a reception in Aras an Uachtarain for representatives of the Peruvian community in Ireland to celebrate the 195th anniversary of the Independence of Peru. Picture; Gerry Mooney