The GAA showed phenomenal leadership in accommodating rugby and soccer in Croke Park, President Mary McAleese has said.
She paid tribute to the GAA ahead of the first rugby match at the stadium tomorrow, which she said would have that "extra special something". "The GAA has given a phenomenal lead in terms of their generosity in accommodating their colleagues in soccer and rugby during a time when their own stadium is under reconstruction," she said.
"The generosity of that shows the spirits and heart of the GAA, and to that extent the spirit and the heart of the Irish people."
The President was on the second day of a three-day official visit to Scotland, which included a trip to the country's premier attraction, the Kelvingrove gallery and museum in Glasgow, which has an art collection worth £1 billion (€1.49 billion).
She went to Coatbridge, described as "the most Irish town in Britain", and spoke at St Catherine's Mercy Convent in Edinburgh, which runs a drop-in centre and provides meals for homeless people.
The President and Dr Martin McAleese had a courtesy meeting with Scottish first minister Jack McConnell at Kelvingrove and viewed exhibits on sectarianism, Glasgow's multi-ethnic community and violence against women. They then saw the gallery's most-celebrated painting, Salvador Dali's Christ of St John of the Cross.
At St Patrick's Church hall in Coatbridge, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí provided the music and local Irish dancers entertained. The Glasgow branch, the oldest and biggest outside Ireland, marks its 50th anniversary this year.
Mrs McAleese spoke of the "loneliness, isolation and discrimination" Irish emigrants faced when they moved to Scotland, as well as the new confidence of the younger generations, reflected in Ireland's success. There was now a "completely re-energised relationship between Ireland and Scotland, Ireland and England, Ireland and Wales and it's no accident that we have moved so far beyond the historic ties of kinship and all that nostalgia that binds us to Scotland for example".
One of the Coatbridge guests, Geraldine Reid, said that while attitudes had changed, the Irish community was still defensive. "Every other community whether Chinese or Italian can celebrate without having to make excuses about it but we're always having to defend our culture," she said.
Coatbridge had its first St Patrick's day parade in 2002, which prompted critics to say the town should rename itself "Patricksville". One of the festival organisers, James O'Neill, said Mrs McAleese's visit had given the community "a marvellous boost. It increases our credibility with the establishment - the politicians and the media."