Recently, a new President of Ireland was inaugurated, Catherine Connolly. She succeeded Michael D Higgins, who was a much-loved. Jenny and I had the honour of meeting him ten years ago, and I want to tell you about it as it was a memorable day.
The occasion was a garden party at the President’s official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, in Phoenix Park, Dublin. It’s a beautiful and imposing building, not unlike the White House in America in style.
Jenny’s Drama Company had been invited, but a good friend was unable to attend and asked me if I’d like to go. I jumped at the chance. I’ve always loved Ireland, the place and the people, and Jenny and I had been married earlier in the year, so this was special. Having said that, I’m sure there were a few raised eyebrows about this interloper, this Englishman in their midst.
We were taken first to the house where we joined a line-up to shake hands with the President. A high-ranking officer stood beside him, and I noticed a large picture of Her Majesty the Queen on the wall. Then it was into the beautiful, landscaped garden for drinks, a visit to the official vintage Rolls-Royce, and even photographs while two large Labrador retrievers ambled around. Eventually, we were led to a large marquee where we sat at tables and were served a fancy tea with sandwiches and cake, oh yes and wine. There must have been 200-300 people there, and they were drawn from drama groups across the country. How wonderful, I thought.
“He explained that he loved ‘the drama’ and that he had met his wife, Sabina, in an actor training company in Dublin. He went further and said that, as far as he was concerned, the local drama groups and GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association, who organise Irish sport) were the backbone of local communities, and they brought it together. “
Mr Higgins made an excellent speech. He explained that he loved ‘the drama’ and that he had met his wife, Sabina, in an actor training company in Dublin. He went further and said that, as far as he was concerned, the local drama groups and GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association, who organise Irish sport) were the backbone of local communities, and they brought it together. And it’s true. There is a huge following for ‘ the drama’ from large companies with their own theatres to simple rooms in pubs. There’s a highly successful annual drama festival, both one-act and full-length, and it all happens because ordinary people care about it hugely and make it work – right down to the people who make the tea and butter the bread.
I so admired a man who understood the power of theatre in people’s lives and what it did for the country. It left a big impression on me of the true value of community spirit and how it is understood.
