Ian Paisley, once the Abominable No Man, confirms a thaw in North-South relations, writes Gerry Moriarty
According to the North's First Minister the Taoiseach and his senior officials held an impromptu prayer service on the Aer Corps helicopter flying up from Dublin "that there would be no snow for Paisley to throw".
This, of course, is a reference to how 43 years ago the Rev Ian Paisley was hurling snowballs at one of Mr Ahern's predecessors, SeáLemass, when he visited Stormont.
But that was then. "I welcome you heartily," said Dr Paisley to the Taoiseach. The bond of affection between the two men was clear for everyone to see when they met to officially relaunch the lavishly-refurbished Galgorm Resort and Spa on the outskirts of Ballymena yesterday morning.
The impressive hotel, which is set in 163 acres of wood and parkland, offers numerous exotic treatments and therapies.
For instance, Mr Ahern could have enjoyed a serenity bath or hot stone massage or, especially for men, ginger and black pepper hand treatment.
"I am not sure about those therapies," said Mr Ahern, "but I am sure they are better than some of the therapies I have to live with every day."
The Taoiseach, free from the trials, tribulations and therapies of Dublin politics for a while, was determined to enjoy his few hours with Dr Paisley. He wasn't taking questions about passports or digouts, or any other such vexing matters.
He must have yearned for a few, quiet days at this Ballymena retreat. "If I could stay here for a few days," he briefly mused. "But unfortunately I can't," he quickly added, returning to reality.
Journalist Eamon Mallie, attempting to prompt some political comment, wondered, "Do you ever get up any morning and say, 'I have had enough of this, I am going to chuck this. I have had enough of this abuse and nonsense.' Do you ever think that way?"
"No," said the Taoiseach.
So, everyone had a grand day in Ballymena, apart, that is, from Ballymena councillor Roy Gillespie, who staged a one-man protest outside the hotel, carrying a Union Jack and complaining about Dr Paisley's treachery and a "prime minister from a foreign, hostile State" trying to fool Northern Ireland into a united Ireland.
Mr Gillespie followed Dr Paisley from his snowball-throwing days, but not anymore. His wife, Ruby, of similar political mien, managed to get into the hotel where she confronted Baroness Eileen Paisley, telling her how her "heart was broken" by Dr Paisley's "sell-out" and how even if the snow had fallen she would have come to the hotel in "snow boots" to make her point.
The Irish Timeswanted to check her name. "Irish!" she expostulated. "We have sold out to the Irish." Just two people protesting against the Taoiseach (maybe more so against the Doc) in Ballymena, the buckle of the North's Bible belt, it didn't seem that way.