Ireland enjoys its time in the European sun

Political Editor Harry McGee says Europe’s problems were put aside for an unreal day.

IT WAS an unreal day. Dublin felt unfamiliar. It basked in early summer sunshine. Driving through the streets, it felt like a South American capital city immediately after a coup. There were few civilians about but, everywhere you looked, there were clusters of gardaí in day-glo yellow jackets and riot gear.

The bus ride at noon from the city centre to Farmleigh around the perimeter of the Phoenix Park was a weird journey. As we came closer to Farmleigh, we passed a large army camp. Inside the Park itself, heavy artillery had been set up to deter an unknown, theoretical enemy.