Ahern: “Protect and nurture…”

Bertie was keen to see it in the longer view of British and Irish history. “Our task is to protect and nurture what has been achieved today”. He finished by quoting King George V from the first opening of Stormont in the 20s: “I appeal to all Irishmen to pause, to stretch out the hand of forbearance and conciliation, to forgive and forget, and to join with me in making for the land they love a new era of peace, contentment and goodwill”.

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