Northern Ireland

Albert Reynolds' first visit to Northern Ireland after becoming Taoiseach

More tea, please! Albert Reynolds visited Northern Ireland for the first time as Taoiseach in 1993, a year after taking office. His short visit was to Derry and Irish News photographer Hugh Russell captured this series of images
More tea, please! Albert Reynolds visited Northern Ireland for the first time as Taoiseach in 1993, a year after taking office. His short visit was to Derry and Irish News photographer Hugh Russell captured this series of images
Albert Reynolds visited Derry on April 16 1993. Picture by Hugh Russell
Albert Reynolds visited Derry on April 16 1993. Picture by Hugh Russell
The Taoiseach is pictured here with then Foyle SDLP MP John Hume, Derry deputy mayor Annie Courtney and Donegal TD Pat The Cope Gallagher. Picture by Hugh Russell Picture by Hugh Russell
The Taoiseach is pictured here with then Foyle SDLP MP John Hume, Derry deputy mayor Annie Courtney and Donegal TD Pat The Cope Gallagher. Picture by Hugh Russell Picture by Hugh Russell
Albert Reynolds was instrumental in forging the 1993 Downing Street Declaration which he co-signed with then British Prime Minister John Major on December 15 1993, paving the way for an IRA ceasefire the following year. Picture by Hugh Russell
Albert Reynolds was instrumental in forging the 1993 Downing Street Declaration which he co-signed with then British Prime Minister John Major on December 15 1993, paving the way for an IRA ceasefire the following year. Picture by Hugh Russell
The Taoiseach's visit lasted two hours amid tight security. Picture by Hugh Russell
The Taoiseach's visit lasted two hours amid tight security. Picture by Hugh Russell
Albert Reynolds opened the North-West region cross-border group at the Diamond during his visit. Picture by Hugh Russell
Albert Reynolds opened the North-West region cross-border group at the Diamond during his visit. Picture by Hugh Russell
Among those who welcomed the Taoiseach to the city was Ulster Unionist mayor of Limavady Norman Reynolds. Picture by Hugh Russell
Among those who welcomed the Taoiseach to the city was Ulster Unionist mayor of Limavady Norman Reynolds. Picture by Hugh Russell
A week before Albert Reynolds' visit, then UK Prime Minister John Major had also visited the city. Picture by Hugh Russell
A week before Albert Reynolds' visit, then UK Prime Minister John Major had also visited the city. Picture by Hugh Russell
Albert Reynolds' visit was boycotted by unionists on Derry City Council. Picture by Hugh Russell
Albert Reynolds' visit was boycotted by unionists on Derry City Council. Picture by Hugh Russell
Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has said Mr Reynolds had been the "best taoisigh to deal with the north". Picture by Hugh Russell
Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has said Mr Reynolds had been the "best taoisigh to deal with the north". Picture by Hugh Russell
"His was a relatively short term as Taoiseach but Mr Reynolds ended exclusions, formal censorship and brought the Irish government in from the cold," Gerry Adams has said of Albert Reynolds. Picture by Hugh Russell
"His was a relatively short term as Taoiseach but Mr Reynolds ended exclusions, formal censorship and brought the Irish government in from the cold," Gerry Adams has said of Albert Reynolds. Picture by Hugh Russell
Mr Reynolds resigned as leader of Fianna Fáil and as Taoiseach in late 1994. Picture by Hugh Russell
Mr Reynolds resigned as leader of Fianna Fáil and as Taoiseach in late 1994. Picture by Hugh Russell
Mr Reynolds retired from politics in 2002 after 25 years as a TD. Picture by Hugh Russell
Mr Reynolds retired from politics in 2002 after 25 years as a TD. Picture by Hugh Russell
Mr Reynolds died in 2014, survived by his wife and seven children. Picture by Hugh Russell
Mr Reynolds died in 2014, survived by his wife and seven children. Picture by Hugh Russell
"For him, peace was the only battle worth waging," Fr Brian D'Arcy told mourners at Mr Reynolds' funeral. Picture by Hugh Russell
"For him, peace was the only battle worth waging," Fr Brian D'Arcy told mourners at Mr Reynolds' funeral. Picture by Hugh Russell
Pictured with Mr Reynolds is Primate of the Catholic Church in Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin. Picture by Hugh Russell
Pictured with Mr Reynolds is Primate of the Catholic Church in Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin. Picture by Hugh Russell
In the foreground are SDLP colleagues John Hume and Anne Courtney. Picture by Hugh Russell
In the foreground are SDLP colleagues John Hume and Anne Courtney. Picture by Hugh Russell