Walesa visits Shannon port and Limerick on four-day visit

The former president of Poland and winner of the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize, Mr Lech Walesa, visited the Shannon Foynes Port Company yesterday as part of a four-day visit to the Republic.

Mr Walesa, a former shipyard worker, was accompanied by his wife, Danuta, and son, Jaroslana, and a number of Polish members of parliament.

While in Foynes Mr Walesa toured the port and listened to a presentation by the port company's chief executive, Mr Brian Byrne, about the facilities owned or operated by the company in the deep-water Shannon estuary. He was also presented with a framed photograph commemorating his visit.

The delegation then continued its tour of the region, including a visit to the Foynes Aviation and Maritime Museum, before returning to Limerick for a meeting with council members and a tour of the university.

Mr Walesa and his party arrived in Ireland on Tuesday and observed Wednesday morning's Mass in Ballylanders, before attending the St Patrick's Day Parade in Kilmallock. Before returning to Poland tomorrow Mr Walesa will visit the Limerick Institute of Technology.