Members of the board paid a visit to Aras an Uachtaran on Tuesday, June 8th for an audience with Her Excellency President McAleese, introducing her to the work and key personnel behind the Confederation. In her inimitable way, the President played the perfect host, as she was introduced to all members and the Partnership Manager, and invited them for tea and a short tour of the historical building.

Plans for the visit had been put in place as a result of a request from the Confederation in recent months, and marked an important step for the organisation as it develops forward as a partnership body for local representatives North and South.

The Chairman Senator Jim Walsh paid tribute to the President for her support and for her kind invitation, and particularly noted her commitment to peace and in bridging divides. He highlighted her high regard, as well as that of Dr Martin McAleese for cross border and cross community projects.

Councillor Hayes introduced the John Condon Memorial Project and expressed the hope that the President would champion the campaign, as she had done on similar projects in Messines and beyond. The memorial erection project is led by Waterford City Council, the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women and the British Legion, and aims to remember the youngest Irish man to die in the First World War, as well as serving to honour and remember all Irish people of all backgrounds who died in the two wars.

The President responded, expressing her hope that memories of those who participated and died in all wars 'should not have to be hidden away in shoeboxes', but rather should be remembered and commemorated.