A number of Abbey Students visited Mrs Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin on 23rd October 2002.

Day Trip to the Residence of the President Mary Mc Aleese

On Thursday the 3rd of October, on the way to Mr.Wadsworth's room, I received the best news I could have ever heard... I was on my way to Dublin to meet, Mary Mc Aleese, the President of Ireland!

After nearly a full week of excitement and preparation, on Wednesday the 9th of October, at ll:15a.m., I left for Dublin.
When we got to Dublin, after a long wait at the gates, and an annoying rendition of "Happy Song" (which I used to love when I was two) by some second year boys we finally arrived at the imposing residence of the President of Ireland, in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

We were the first group to be greeted by the president in her splendid house, which was ornately decorated with busts of former presidents, antique furniture and valuable paintings.

We then were brought out to her garden and were taken to the Visitor Centre. There was lots of food and drink, but the hall soon filled up, as there were about ten groups, from all over Ireland, there! While we were enjoying the food, a girl's choir entertained us.

When the President came to speak to our group, I talked to her for about five minutes about my project on John Fitzgerald Kennedy and she told me how all American Presidents have libraries dedicated to them and how she would like to have a library dedicated to her.

On the way home the juniors and the seniors had a debate, which in the end got a bit exasperating, but all the same, it beats having to listen to the lads singing their Happy Song!

Phew... What a day! Loads of thanks Dr. Mc Cavitt for a memorable day!

Turas ar Áras an Uachtaráin

Ar an Chéadaoin 23ú Deireadh Fómhair chuaigh buaiteoirí Chomórtas Polaitíochta 2002 agus baill Chumann Polaitíochta na Mainistreach chuig Áras an Uachtaráin le buaileadh le Máire Bean Mhic Giolla Íosa, tuaisceartach agus Uachtarán na hÉireann. Bhí sé mar phribhléid agam a bheith in éindi le Dr. Mc Cavitt agus na gasúir eile ar an lá speisialta sin.

D’fhág muid an scoil ar leath i ndiaidh a haon déag. Thóg sé thart fá dhá uair a chloig chun Baile Átha Cliath a shroicint ar an bhus mar bhí an trácht trom. Ghlac sé tamall fhada chun dul tríd an córas slándála, ach sa deireadh thiar thall bhain muid an tÁras amach.

Bhuail muid leis an Uachtarán agus thug baill an Chumainn Polaitíochta leabhar a rinne siad féin di agus bhronn Dr. Mc Cavitt cóip de leabhar nuafhoilsithe s’aigesean ‘Flight of the Earls’ uirthi freisin.

I ndiaidh sin, bhog muid ar aghaidh chuig seomra ina raibh cuid mhór sólaistí ann. Bhí mé féin agus na gasúir uile lán sásta mar bhí achan rud saor in aisce!

Rinne Máire Bean Mhic Giolla Íosa comhghairdeas le Dr. Mc Cavitt as a leabhar nua agus, ár gcuairt thart, d’fhág sí slán againn. Bhí sí cairdiúil fáilteach mar is dual di.

Ar ár mbealach abhaile stop muid i nDroichead Átha le greim gasta a fháil i Mc Donalds. Bhí na daltaí sásta mar bhí bolg lán againn agus bhí ár ndóthain den pholaitaíochta againn fosta. Bhí seans agam mar dhalta na chéad bliana a bheith ag caint le buachaillí níos sine agus bhain mé sult as. B’ócáid ar leith í agus bhí lá againn nach ndéanfar dearmad air.

Cathal Mac Dhaibhéid