The church was packed to bursting point and it was standing room only. From the round of applause that greeted the arrival of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern into the church to the bursts of applause during the prayers of the faithful it was clear that this was no ordinary gathering.
This was to be the event where Bertie would say farewell to the ordinary member and judging by the large turnout they in turn saw it as their opportunity to say goodbye to the departing leader. As if to prove right all those who commented on Bertie’s legendary patience, there was no hand proffered that wasn’t shook or no request for a photograph that wasn’t met with a ready smile. It was vintage Bertie.
What was interesting was away from the scrum that surrounded Bertie, a sizable gathering was queuing up to shake the hand and have their picturing taken with the Taoiseach-in-waiting Brian Cowen. Now I must confess whether it was as a result of the midday sun or my being carried away with the atmosphere of the day, but I joined this growing throng to wish our next Taoiseach well.
So as the faithful departed from that hallowed ground amongst Fianna Fáil members it was very much a case of, The King is dead long live the King….
Posted by mcauliffe1 