Mrs McAleese, with husband Senator Martin McAleese by her side, attended the St Vincent de Paul homeless centre for men in Christchurch, Dublin, in her last engagement.

“On the one hand it is sad but I have a great sense of gratitude. It was just a wonderful, wonderful opportunity to waken up every morning to be the country’s primary ambassador and to love every day of it.”

 “If you give me two seconds I’ll be in floods of tears. Gratitude and sadness are pretty much in equal measure today.”

[To president-elect Higgins] “Just enjoy, enjoy being President. I woke up every morning full of joy. I loved every day of the job. I was energised by it, and I was energised by the people I met because that’s the source of your energy.”

McAleese At last Official Function (Irish Times)

(Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)


From Fine Gael Councillor Laura McGonigle:

Corkonian’s unique attachment and devotion to their county is known country and world wide. The Certificate of Irish Heritage is a great initiative, and creates great value and a bond with our people wherever they live, but why not take this further with a Cork Heritage cert or “Cork passport”.

For those of us born Cork or with Cork heritage we know that this too is something that should be celebrated. Cork people are known for coming home from other counties to buy their C reg cars, wearing their GAA jerseys on casual Fridays and logging into the People’s Republic Website daily. The Cork Heritage cert is just another manifestation of genuine Cork Pride. Dowtcha boy.

Cork Passport To Be proposed – New Source of Revenue (FG)

Pic via
Thanks Rick O’Shea
Broadsheet.ie