Champlain College Dublin welcomed Mr. Barry Desmond to campus on October 22.

Mr. Desmond is the former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Irish Minister for Health and Social Welfare and former member of the European Parliament representing Dublin. He spoke to the Modern Irish Social History class on issues surrounding the important public and government debates over abortion, divorce, and the legalisation of contraception in Ireland.

The Modern Irish Social History class also recently had a behind-the-scenes private tour of the Dáil Éireann, or Irish Parliament. The tour included a visit to the Chamber, the Senate, and an impromptu meeting with Micheál Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs, over a pint in the Parliamentary Bar.

Pictured with Mr Desmond (l) are Patrick Kenney, Dr. Anthony O'Halloran, and McKenna Tatro.