‘That’s when Sabina winked at Michael D and told him the Taoiseach was on the phone’
So, how did the big party go?
Eh…which party?
Oh don’t play games! You said you’d be going to a Garden Party in Áras An Uachtaráin last Saturday. It pains me to ask about it, but I must!
Oh, THAT!
Yes, THAT! Oh, let me guess…you were spoofing?
NO! It went ahead alright. I told you last week that I got on great with President Higgins, that he invited me up…
Yeah, you never stopped telling me…
Indeed!
So? Did you go? How did it go?
Yes, and it was great!
(They pause to watch two synchronised swimmers struggle to synchronise their swimming)
WELL?
Well, the weather was glorious, the actual garden was amazing, and all the beautiful people were there!
But YOU were there! Or were you?
Yes!
And how was the star of the show, the host, the person with all of the allure?
Oh Sabina was lovely! Charming lady!
I meant Michael D!
Eh…it’s President Higgins to you, Michael D to me!
Aagh!
(They pause to reflect on the fact that heavy rain has led to the rowing being deferred at the Olympics)
Not sure I believe any of this!
Huh?
…that Michael D…I mean President Higgins, actually invited you to a Garden Party at the Áras…
Oh he did, I have the photos to prove it!
Go on…
I tell you, he really took to me on the phone that day. He loved that I’m into the arts, poetry, Galway United…
Yeah, you said…by the way, I’ve never known you to be into the arts, or poetry…
Well, I like martial arts…
Oh dear…
And I may have taken some poetic licence when I was speaking to him…
Oh dear…
Anyway, he was great company. It was a lovely afternoon.
What? Fancy food on the lawn, a quick hello and then goodbye?
Oh NO! We ended up watching sport and chatting for ages!
So, a great success?
Eh…yeah. Well, until…
UNTIL?
(They pause to briefly try and replicate a backward somersault they’ve seen in the gymnastics at the Olympics; they quickly abandon this)
UNTIL?
Oh it’s nothing…
It was great…until?
Well, HE wanted to see the hurling. Galway v Waterford…so a few of us popped into their private cinema to watch THAT…
Yeah…
Then I suggested we watch the second half of the Lions v South Africa…
Was Michael D…I mean President Higgins, okay with that?
Yeah, sort of…
SO?
Then I might have overstayed my welcome…
Oh dear…
I told him I hardly ever miss the Connacht Football Final…and still had hopes of going this year…
REALLY? How daft!
Michael D was slightly tired by now, he seemed to want to wrap up the conversation…
EH…YEAH!
Looking back, he was probably being diplomatic when he said ‘Sure any time you’re in Galway for the Connacht Football Final, you can stay in my residence…’
AND?
Well, that’s when I said ‘Actually, this year’s Connacht Final is in Dublin on Sunday, and I’m in your Dublin residence NOW! AND you probably have tickets!’
NO!
I was sort of joking…
AND?
That’s when Sabina winked at Michael D and told him the Taoiseach was on the phone…for some reason, I didn’t see any more of him…I expect he’ll call soon…
