Malloy to meet with president of Ireland

Hartford — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is scheduled to meet tonight with the president of Ireland and his wife during a reception at the Consulate General of Ireland in New York City.

Malloy, who has Irish ancestry, accepted an invitation from the consulate to meet with President Michael D. Higgins and Ireland’s First Lady Sabina Higgins. In a statement, Malloy said he considers the event an opportunity to reaffirm the relationship between Connecticut and the Irish government.

“The ties between Ireland and the United States run deep in our history,” said Malloy, whose first name is an Irish derivation of “Daniel”. “It’s a relationship that has served both countries well and one that must continue in the years ahead.”

The governor currently flies the Irish flag outside the official residence on the west side of Hartford, although it’s below the U.S flag and the Connecticut flag.