Aras an Uachtaran in the Phoenix Park - President Michael D Higgin's new home

Susan outside the Aras an Uachtaran

Aras an Uachtaran, in the Phoenix Park is the house where the ninth Irish President Michael D Higgins, who was inaugurated on Friday in Dublin Castle, will live for his seven years in office.

Not many people know that you can actually visit Aras an Uachtaran yourself on Satrudays, unless it is being used for official state business, which means tours can be cancelled at short notice. While admission is free, tickets are limited to about 100 which are allocated on a first come first served basis from the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, close by at Ashtown Castle.

Visitors are then transferred by coach and given a guided tour of the state rooms and a short history of the building itself that used to be the Vice Regal Lodge when it was occupied by the then governing body of Englands various Lord Lieutenants, one of whom the Duke of Marlborough who was Winston Churchill’s father.

Elegant corridor at Aras an Uachtaran

It’s a wonderful opportunity to take a peak behind the familiar scenes being played out in the media today, to be part of a living history so to speak. The boardroom, where new governments are sworn into office, under the watchful eye of former presidents, whose portraits line the walls.

The dining room is laid out in crisp white linen with fresh flower arrangements (from the Aras’ own garden) mirrored under the crystal chandeliers.

The lounge used for meeting and greeting visiting dignitaries and royalty so familiar from news footage you almost feel at home, with a final glimpse into the President’s own office, which they are allowed to personalize for their term of office. In fact, I was amazed at how homely and lived in the Aras felt, with fresh garden flowers everywhere and polished brass fire irons beside the grand marble fireplaces set with peat briquettes waiting to be lit in welcome for the next guests, which could be you.

For more information visit www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/aras.html

David Norris - will he be the next president of Ireland?

Thirty-thousand Irish citizens so far have signed petitions to get David Norris elected as the next president of Ireland in November of this year.

A most popular candidate the only thing that is likely to stop him is a dodgy electoral system or media prejudice regarding his sexual persuasion? David Norris is gay, so what? While he may be a fan of Georgian architecture, this is no Joycean dandy but a committed politician, an impassioned human rights campaigner, a proud Dubliner and Irishman.

And yes he has Anglo Irish roots but which one of us does’nt? Would it matter if he was part African-American? In fact his Irish roots go back to 6th century Laois on his mother’s side whose family the MacGiollas were servants of the kings of Ossary. A fitting legacy perhaps, for someone who see his new role as a servant of the people and country of Ireland.

Very well spoken (and undeniably colourful) David Norris will make a great ambassador who is keen to get Ireland noticed on the worldwide stage for all the right reasons. Our wonderful natural and built heritage, and the wider possibilities in terms of cultural tourism which have not yet been fully explored, in particular our great literary musical and scientific contributions.

Not that he will spend his time cutting ribbons or unveiling exhibitions, this is a warm and open man who is as happy and comfortable linking hands with Downs Syndrome children in the park as he will meeting and greet international heads of state above in the other park, at Aras an Uachtarain, the official home of the Irish President. Currently Dr Mary McAleese and formerly Dr Mary Robinson, the trail blazing, first female president of Ireland. And while we commend and applaud the two Marys, it’s time for a change. We need a man for our time, the difficult times that are in it? Someone we can be proud of, the last thing we want is for the role of the presidency to go back into mothballs.

Above all, with everything that has happened in recent years including the political corruption that led to the disastrous financial situation we now find ourselves in, we want a man of integrity that is not just out for himself. The only thing that is likely to stop him in his tracks, and boy has he hit the campaign trail running, hello? where are the other candidates? Are they just going to slither in the back door and take his place through some shady, legislative loophole? I hope not David Norris is the man for the job, good luck to him.

Susan Byron author of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/