A Chairde…I like these clinky glasses

Well, well…now that was a surprise! It even got an exclaimed: "Wow!" from President McAleese. So what am I babbling about? Queen Elizabeth II rose to her feet at the state dinner to make her only public speech during her 4 day visit and began with the words "A Uachtarain agus a chairde". The delighted and astonished guest responded with a rapturous applause.

However significant and historic that may be my favourite part of the evening was her comment to Mary McAleese as guest were raising their glasses in a toast …”I like the clinky glasses.” Priceless!