FORMER DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley and his wife Baroness Eileen Paisley marked another first yesterday with a visit to Áras an Uachtaráin.
The couple lunched with President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese.
The Paisleys were accompanied by Dr Ian Adamson, former UUP mayor of Belfast and chairman of the Somme Association.
Secretary general to the President Adrian O’Neill also attended the lunch of melon with braesoli, Donegal salmon and lemon soufflé.
Mrs McAleese had previously met Dr Paisley in September 2007 at the Somme heritage centre in Bangor, Co Down when she attended an exhibition of the 16th Irish division.
Welcoming the Paisleys to the Áras, the President joked about their “quiet visit” to Leinster House, a reference to the extended and bitter row on Thursday in the Dáil about the format of proceedings next week, when the House was originally intended to be in recess.
Dr and Baroness Paisley witnessed some of the rowdy scenes from the VIP gallery in the Dáil.
After lunch in the Áras they were entertained by a group of children aged 12-17 from the Rathcairn, Co Meath Gaeltacht, who performed sean nós dancing and singing.