Proud day for Ireland and for me, says Ahern

THE TAOISEACH described his address to Congress yesterday as "a proud day for Ireland" and "obviously a nice day for me".

He was speaking after the address at a reception in his honour hosted by the chairman of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, congressman Richie Neal.

Standing beside Mr Neal, Bertie Ahern said: "It is a huge honour to be here. We have great friends in this House built up over the years and the Friends of Ireland chairman has been a huge friend."

Mr Ahern presented a sword of the Young Ireland leader, Thomas Francis Meagher, to the Friends of Ireland, describing it as a symbol of the continuing friendship between the people of Ireland and the people of America. The sword was donated by the City of Waterford where Meagher was born.

After the 1848 rebellion, Meagher was transported to Tasmania but he escaped in 1852. He fought with the Fighting 69th Regiment of the New York Militia then formed the Irish Brigade and fought in many battles during the US Civil War. The presentation was designed to reciprocate president Kennedy's gift of a Fighting 69th flag when he visited Ireland in 1963.