Halfway there!
Today history was made again on the banks of the Boyne.
Handshakes and peace at the site of the battle of the Boyne 317 years on
It was a great privilege be present at one of the most historic and symbolic events in Ireland's modern history when Rev Ian Paisley, his wife, Baroness Eileen, his son, Ian Jnr, Jeffery Donaldson and Arlene Fowler arrived on the 'green grassy slopes of the Boyne' on Friday.
He came in peace in response to an invitation from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
It was a special day for me - not just because the historic occasion took place in my home county but also because the initial moves to put an interpretative centre on the site were made when I was Minister of State at the OPW and David Andrews was Foreign Affairs in 1994.
David was deeply involved in the peace talks and felt that some gesture on the Battle of The Boyne site would be helpful.
We set up an interdepartmental Committee when when we came back into government in 1997 and the rest is now history as they say.
Back to today's event. What an occasion. Everyone in great form. Not talk of differences - and that was just between ourselves and the PDs.
'Big Ian' was in great form. Very affable and friendly. He was clearly deeply impressed with the occasion, the honouring of the commitment and the warmth of the welcome he received.
When the official part of the function was over he was 'mobbed' by well wishers looking for autographs and wishing him well.
In the middle of all the commotion Niall McCaffery took it all in .... I think even she was impressed.
Watch some of the speeches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JxvnDZ0gRI
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