On Thursday, 26th October 2023, Dr. Christopher Moran, President, hosted a Reception & Dinner at Hillsborough Castle on behalf of Co-operation Ireland in celebration of Co-operation Ireland’s 45th Anniversary and remembered, with enduring gratitude, the organisation’s late Patron, Queen Elizabeth II, and gave thanks for her vital role in Anglo-Irish relations.
During the Reception, guests viewed the Portrait of The late Queen Elizabeth II painted by Northern Irish artist Colin Davidson, which had been unveiled by The late Queen Elizabeth II at a Co-operation Ireland event at Dr. Moran’s home, Crosby Moran Hall, in 2016.
The Portrait has been on loan to Hillsborough Castle on display in the historic State Drawing Room since May 2023. It was presented to His Majesty King Charles III at Hillsborough Castle by Dr. Moran earlier this year.
Dr. Moran expressed his gratitude to Historic Royal Palaces for covering the costs of the Reception & Dinner and for supporting Co-operation Ireland in its continuing work for peace and reconciliation across the Island of Ireland.
In his after-dinner speech, Dr. Moran celebrated the many seminal moments of Co-operation Ireland’s 45-year history and role in furthering Anglo-Irish relations. These included, during his tenure: the first meeting of The late Queen Elizabeth II and Her Excellency Mary McAleese at his home, Crosby Moran Hall, in 2005; the historic State Visit of The late Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 to the Republic of Ireland; the symbolic ‘handshake’ between The late Queen Elizabeth II and then Deputy First Minister the late Martin McGuinness at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast in 2012; the return State Visit of President Michael D. Higgins in 2014 to the United Kingdom; the historic participation of the Dublin State Coach and parliamentary Mace in the 800th Lord Mayor’s Parade in 2015; and the unveiling of the Portrait of The late Queen Elizabeth II in 2016.
Dr. Moran looked forward positively to the future as he congratulated Sir Julian King, KCVO, CMG in his new role as Co-operation Ireland’s Chairman and welcomed, amongst  others, The Rt. Hon. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, MP; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Mr. Charlie McConalogue TD; The Lord Caine, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; The Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson, Former First Minister of Northern Ireland; The Rt. Hon. Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee, DBE, Former First Minister of Northern Ireland; Mr. John Finucane, MP; Ms. Paula Bradshaw MLA; United States Consular Chief, Sadaf Khan (Belfast); Mr. Peter Sheridan, OBE, Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland; artist Mr. Colin Davidson; and Mr. John Barnes, Chief Executive of Historic Royal Palaces.
