31/01/2008
Paisley To Host Ahern In Ballymena
Another 'historic' cross-border meeting will take place on Friday when Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern holds political talks with NI First Minister Ian Paisley in his own 'backyard'.
The two leaders will meet in the DUP Leader's Ballymena constituency tomorrow.
The visit is to expected to be a further sign of good relations between the two figureheads - and their respective countries - since their famous handshake in Dublin last year.
“In Ballymena, Mr Ahern and Mr Paisley are expected to discuss political and economic developments in Northern Ireland and increasing cross-border co-operation with the Republic,” the Taoiseach’s spokesman said.
The two leaders will be seeing a lot of each other being due to meet again next week at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce where Dr Paisley has been invited as guest speaker at the organisation's annual general meeting.
The Dublin Chamber engagement is the latest visit to the Republic by the DUP leader since the Assembly was restored in Stormont last May.
The Taoiseach invited Mr Paisley to the historic Battle of the Boyne battle site in Co Louth last July where the DUP leader presented a 17th Century musket to Mr Ahern.
Mr Ahern had previously given a 50th wedding anniversary present to Mr Paisley and his wife Eileen - a walnut bowl, crafted from a centuries-old tree taken from the battle site.
Last October Rev Paisley addressed the Trinity College Historical Society in Dublin and also attended a Chartered Institute of Arbitrators event in the Royal College of Physicians in the city in November.
(VB)(BMcC)
The two leaders will meet in the DUP Leader's Ballymena constituency tomorrow.
The visit is to expected to be a further sign of good relations between the two figureheads - and their respective countries - since their famous handshake in Dublin last year.
“In Ballymena, Mr Ahern and Mr Paisley are expected to discuss political and economic developments in Northern Ireland and increasing cross-border co-operation with the Republic,” the Taoiseach’s spokesman said.
The two leaders will be seeing a lot of each other being due to meet again next week at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce where Dr Paisley has been invited as guest speaker at the organisation's annual general meeting.
The Dublin Chamber engagement is the latest visit to the Republic by the DUP leader since the Assembly was restored in Stormont last May.
The Taoiseach invited Mr Paisley to the historic Battle of the Boyne battle site in Co Louth last July where the DUP leader presented a 17th Century musket to Mr Ahern.
Mr Ahern had previously given a 50th wedding anniversary present to Mr Paisley and his wife Eileen - a walnut bowl, crafted from a centuries-old tree taken from the battle site.
Last October Rev Paisley addressed the Trinity College Historical Society in Dublin and also attended a Chartered Institute of Arbitrators event in the Royal College of Physicians in the city in November.
(VB)(BMcC)
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A relative 'new boy' to the Democratic Unionist Party, Co Down MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been sworn in as Northern Ireland's new Junior Minister. A former Ulster Unionist, Mr Donaldson, who is the Lagan Valley MP, defected to the DUP in 2004 after a high-profile fall-out with his then party leader, David (now Lord Trimble).
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01 February 2008
Ahern Meeting: 'A Good Day For Ireland': Paisley
DUP Leader and NI Assembly First Minister, Ian Paisley has described an historic visit from the Taoiseach as "A good day for Ireland". Both Bertie Ahern and Ian Paisley were all smiles today as they held talks in Paisley's Ballymena constituency.
Ahern Meeting: 'A Good Day For Ireland': Paisley
DUP Leader and NI Assembly First Minister, Ian Paisley has described an historic visit from the Taoiseach as "A good day for Ireland". Both Bertie Ahern and Ian Paisley were all smiles today as they held talks in Paisley's Ballymena constituency.
11 May 2007
Paisley and Ahern visit Boyne site
Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have visited the site of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne today. Both men viewed an exhibition on the battle at Oldbridge House, which is part of the restoration project by the Irish government. It is expected the work will be completed next year.
Paisley and Ahern visit Boyne site
Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have visited the site of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne today. Both men viewed an exhibition on the battle at Oldbridge House, which is part of the restoration project by the Irish government. It is expected the work will be completed next year.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
