McAleese holds party to celebrate Battle of the Boyne

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese last night expressed her hope that political leaders would find the confidence, courage and determination to ensure Northern Ireland’s name soared for all the right reasons, as she hosted a reception to mark the Battle of the Boyne.

As thousands of Orangemen took to the streets across the North for the Battle of the Boyne commemoration parades, Mrs McAleese held a 12th of July garden party in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin, attended by over 350 people from across Ireland.

She said: “We are gathering today against the backdrop of a new push by both the Irish and British Governments to restore partnership government to Northern Ireland.