Thanks, Bertie, you did us proud

Yes, Bertie Ahern from Drumcondra. That was you

Yes, Bertie Ahern from Drumcondra. That was you. Guest of honour in the Palace of Westminster, like statesmen Yeltsin and Mitterrand and Clinton before you, feted by the Commons and the Lords and thoroughly deserving of your place in history, writes Miriam Lord, at Westminster.

No one man or woman brought about this wonderful new era for the Republic of Ireland, Britain and Northern Ireland. But you've more than done your bit.

This day, Bertie, was for you.

There was something about him yesterday, sitting pensively in the gilded surrounds of the Royal Gallery as the illustrious assembly stood and applauded him. Him, Bertie, the boy from the northside.

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He had just notched up another historic milestone as the first Taoiseach to address the joint houses of parliament. Tony Blair, not half an hour earlier, had paid him the most glowing, heartfelt of tributes. His words went far beyond the normal call of commendation.

The guest list was an impressive roll call of British and Irish politicians past and present. The warmth of their welcome for Bertie was generous and genuine. Yet, for a few moments, it was as if the man they had come to honour was a bit taken aback by it all. He remained in his chair, as the speaker of the House of Commons, applauding, moved in from one side and Tony Blair, leading the ovation, moved in from the other.

Both men appeared to be signalling the same thing: "Get up!" Eventually, almost reluctantly, Bertie Ahern got to his feet. No big smiles, although he must have been delighted. He must have been the proudest man in the room.

Yesterday evening, he was back in his Dublin North Central constituency, knocking on doors, looking after business. People on the Navan Road, who had been watching the Taoiseach on the six o'clock news in the houses of parliament, opened their doors to find Bertie on the step.

People who claim to know him would say that cementing his place among his own has always been what drives him. Even now, as one of the biggest vote getters in the country, he obsessively pounds the pavements on his own patch. Even now, when the mother of parliaments has gone out of its way to recognise him as a political great, he still worries.

While Mr Blair spoke of his "formidable" role in the Northern peace process and the development of his country's economy, the Taoiseach's fingertips fidgeted.

What was he thinking? Not far away, sitting in the front row to his left, was Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny. He looked good. Afterwards, when the two prime ministers left, deputy Kenny was surrounded by well wishers. Former Conservative prime minister John Major shook his hand. "Go for it, man! Go for it!" said John.

What was Enda thinking? They know how to lay on a good ceremony in Westminster. Staff looking like they've stepped off the set of a BBC costume drama, resplendent in black tails and white tie. Bertie arrived with Tony at the Sovereign's Entrance, just like the Queen does at the opening of parliament. A fab'lus hall - as Albert Reynolds might have put it - providing a magnificent setting.

It was clear that Tony, who has run his race and will step down next month, wanted to do well by his "personal friend", who is still very much in the political running and in the thick of a tough general election battle. "There is no side to Bertie," he said, recalling negotiations on the North. "He would absorb the harsh, occasionally insulting words." At this point, the Taoiseach looked up with a rueful smile. One suspected his mind was more on current travails.

"I often say to people I have met many big political leaders over my 10 years in office but I have never met a bigger one than Bertie Ahern." Tony and Bertie. A great double act. Tony, bowing out, doing his best for his old pal.

The Taoiseach spoke of a shared history and a new partnership between the two nations. It was a wonderfully well crafted speech and he delivered it well.

There was a sense of two men rounding off a decade of fine achievement, recognising that their unique political relationship is coming to an end. "Tony Blair has been a true friend to me, and a true friend to Ireland." You could feel the emotion in Bertie's tone. As he concluded, he quoted John F Kennedy when he addressed the Dáil. Ireland, he said then, "is an isle of destiny. . . when our hour has come we will have something to give to the world." There was a quiver, a slight catch in his voice as he invoked the iconic spirit of JFK.

"Ireland's hour has come," said the Taoiseach. "A time of peace, of prosperity, of old values and new beginnings. This is the great lesson and the great gift of Irish history. This is what Ireland can give to the world." The crowd rose to him - northern secretaries, past and present. Gordon Brown - PM in waiting. John Hume, Peter Sutherland, John Major, Neil Kinnock, Ken Clark. Lords and ladies, honourable members, ambassadors.

Writer Edna O'Brien, motor racing mogul Eddie Jordan, rugby great Keith Wood, fashion designer Paul Costelloe, actor Fiona Shaw. Bertie's friend Des Richardson was there with his wife Fran, along with property developer Seán Dunne and his wife Gayle.

This was a great occasion. Bertie's occasion. And yet . . . other matters rumble on at home.

Enda Kenny gave an interview on the lawn outside. "I wanted to be here, as an Irishman and the leader of my party," he said. "It was a fine speech, well delivered." The Taoiseach, his rival, was entitled "to real public credit, and it's richly due." Deputy Kenny was speaking "as one who looks to be taoiseach". Here, perhaps, was one reason for why Bertie looked so pensive. With one part of the double act going, and Bertie having achieved the pinnacle of political achievement, there was a sense yesterday of things coming to a natural conclusion.

He will not want that view to go abroad.

But maybe, that air of modesty about the Taoiseach had more to do with the man who is still not quite sure of his place. History is sorted, without a doubt, but is Bertie? Hence yet another Dublin Central canvas last night, crazy as that might seem.

Let's be parochial for a moment. From this particular Northsider: Thanks, Bertie, you did us proud.