![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/DzSAIQ_WoAApmgX-1024x662.jpg\")
President Higgins has called for Britain and Ireland to build on their links as he hailed the \u201cextraordinary connection\u201d Liverpool has with Ireland.<\/p>\nPresident Higgins has called for Britain and Ireland to build on their links as he hailed the \u201cextraordinary connection\u201d Liverpool has with Ireland.<\/p>\n
Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina visited the Liverpool Irish Center today on the final day of their visit to England.<\/p>\n
More than 200 people turned out to see the president as he made a speech and posed for photos.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIrrespective of whatever happens in proximate political events it\u2019s so important that we build on those important links of interaction we have.\u201d<\/p>\n
He praised the commitment of people at the center in their care for the community.<\/p>\n
Mr Higgins spoke about the contribution Irish people had made to the infrastructure of Merseyside, including the building of the Manchester Ship Canal, roads and houses, after hundreds of thousands emigrated to Liverpool in the 1800s.<\/p>\n
He said Ireland could claim three of the Beatles, adding: \u201cI think Ringo is the only one who gets away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no area of life into which we will not find this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what is happening in the best of worlds when people share life together.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the relationship between England and Ireland had reached a \u201cpoint of maturity\u201d and commented on the countries\u2019 \u201cshared history\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe have moved to a new place in which we are able to walk in the shoes of each other and be able to concentrate on the present and future.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiverpool, this most Irish of cities, has such an extraordinary connection with Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Higgins said he was \u201cglad to be back\u201d at the center, which he first visited in 2012 shortly after he had been elected for his first term.<\/p>\n
He began his visit to England in Birmingham on Monday, and on Tuesday met the UK’s Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at Liverpool\u2019s Victoria Gallery and Museum.<\/p>\n