“The Irish people are not antisemitic, quite the opposite, for example the first President here, Douglas de hÍde, spoke ...

She also continued to make her mark with a series of ‘firsts.’ In 1993 she became the first Irish President to formally visit Britain and shake hands with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

This was also the first anniversary of Mrs McAleese’s inauguration as Irish president. Their destination on this morning was a new memorial ground to be known as the Island of Ireland Peace Park.