Madam President, speaking here in Dublin Castle it is impossible to ignore the weight of history, as it was yesterday when you and I laid wreaths at the Garden of Remembrance.

To what greater inspiration and counsel can we turn than to the imperishable truth to be found in this treasure house, the Bible?

The upward course of a nation's history is due in the long run to the soundness of heart of its average men and women

We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep.

The lessons from the peace process are clear; whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.

I believe that there is a great fear in our generation of being labeled as priggish.

We have all felt those emotions in these last few days. So what I say to you now, as your queen and as a grandmother, I say from my heart.