The Special Olympic World Games is an example of how people in the Republic and North of Ireland can work together successfully, the President, Mrs Mary McAleese said in her Christmas address.
In a statement this morning, Mrs McAleese said: "Coming as I do from Northern Ireland, I was particularly delighted that the Special Olympics was an all-island project and that through the Olympian spirit of friendship we shared such a successful partnership."
"There was never a better example of our ability to enrich each other than the 2003 Special Olympic World Games which Ireland was privileged to host. Those inspiring athletes brought out the very best in us, creating memories of heroic endeavour and limitless generosity which will live in our hearts and minds for a long time to come."
The President added that she hoped the men and women recently elected in the Northern Ireland elections
"will work together constructively and responsibly, mindful of the undeniable progress that has been made in recent years and the huge desire for peace."
Looking forward to Ireland's Presidency of the European Union from January 1 st, Mrs McAleese said Ireland provided an inspiration to the applicant member states.