President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina with president-elect Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery at Áras an Uachtaráin on Wednesday. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
The president-elect was in Leinster House again this week but she managed to stay below the radar during a low-key visit.
Although back in her familiar political stomping ground on Thursday, politics was strictly off the menu.
The former Independent TD for Galway West was in Kildare Street with her husband Brian McEnery for an intimate lunch hosted by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy to mark the retirement of the Clerk of the Dáil, Peter Finnegan.
She also met officials to finalise aspects of next Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony in Dublin Castle. She called in to assist with housekeeping details for invitations and security clearance.
Numbers will be tight in St Patrick’s Hall on the day and there won’t be enough seats for all the people who want to be there.
Catherine comes from a very large family (she’s one of 14), her campaign was supported by an alliance of left-wing parties and her victory underpinned by a large and dedicated team of volunteers.
There will have to be an overflow room.
On Thursday, she made very slow progress to the Ceann Comhairle’s private d
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