Praise for Blair

Home

Community

Irish World

Travel

Ireland

Roots

News

Shopping

Dating

Search

Irish Voice

Columnists

Classifieds

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Read newsletters

Enter your e-mail address to receive our weekly e-Newsletter:

Irish Voice Entertainment

Praise for Blair

April 16, 2008

By Debbie McGoldrick

THE 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement was celebrated in high style last week in Dublin, when the top players gathered in the city to pay tribute to the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The A-list celebration certainly attracted the stars eager to show their appreciation for the political developments up north. Among those in attendance were Bono and Bob Geldof, the outgoing Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, and Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume.

Bono told a funny story about getting lost at 10 Downing Street, the British prime minister’s official residence, during a private dinner. “It was very romantic. It was just me and him,” Bono said.

When Blair had to take an urgent call he told Bono to see himself out, but the rock star couldn’t find his way to the front door. He looked around at the photos on display and came across one of the former British PM Lloyd George.

“We were face to face. Me and Lloyd George. The man who oversaw partition with the threat of war. We were eye to eye … he said nothing,” joked Bono.

In all seriousness, Bono seemed to be mighty pleased to have the chance to celebrate the historic agreement 10 years on.

“Politicians are great talkers, but it’s rare for a politician to be a great listener, and I think Tony Blair is a great listener and I think Bertie Ahern is a great listener and I think that’s the kind of unusual thing that wins in a difficult negotiation,” he said.

Share this story: digg this | Add to del.icio.us

Print Save Discussions

Discuss

Email a friend