Arlene Foster cheers on Fermanagh at Clones
She's the first DUP leader to go to the Ulster Football Final.
Last updated 24th Jun 2018
Arlene Foster has become the first leader of the DUP to attend the GAA's Ulster Senior Football final.
Mrs Foster was applauded and cheered by GAA fans as she arrived in Clones, Co Monaghan, in the Irish Republic to watch Fermanagh play neighbouring county Donegal in the showpiece event.
Mrs Foster's attendance at a game synonymous with the nationalist tradition marks another symbolic milestone in cross-community engagement in the region.
It comes ahead of another significant step next week when she will attend an LGBT event at Stormont.
The DUP has been much criticised by gay rights activists for its resistance to same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
As she was welcomed by Ireland's culture minister Heather Humphreys Mrs Foster said: "All we need now is a Fermanagh win."
Last week Mrs Foster met members of the team and gave them a good luck card.
Moments before the game kicked off Mrs Foster commented on her decision to attend.
"I do realise that there might be some people who may be uncomfortable, with me being here today on Sunday but let me say this: I am a leader of a political party that promotes a shared society in Northern Ireland and to do that you have to take steps,'' she said.
Mrs Foster was applauded by supporters of both teams as she walked up the steps to take her seat in the main stand ahead of kick-off.
She shook hands with Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill, who was sitting just behind her.
Mrs Foster and party colleague Christopher Stalford then stood with the rest of the sell-out crowd as the Irish national anthem was played.
Sinn Fein Deputy President Michelle O'Neill welcomed the move by Mrs Foster. She said:
“I along with other Sinn Féin leaders met recently with Prince Charles in order to demonstrate our desire to reach out and respect those across our community of a unionist and British identity.
“We recognise the important significance of Arlene Foster as DUP Leader attending today’s Ulster final and acknowledge and very much welcome her decision to do so.
“She has encouraged others to step forward as well to understand, appreciate and respect another culture perhaps that isn't theirs in the context of building an inclusive society.
“There is an onus on all in political leadership to build on these recent initiatives and do more together if we want to be successful in bringing about a society underpinned by inclusion."