On his last ever tour of Inishowen as An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern poignantly revealed he has a 'special love for the area'.
Just days before he steps down as the country's top politician, Mr Ahern took time out of his busy schedule to do a whistle-stop tour of a place he holds close to his heart - Buncrana.
As he stepped out of his chauffeur-driven car on Friday - at t
he site which will soon be home to a 21m euro government buildings base - it was hard to get a glimpse of the country's charismatic leader. He was hidden behind an assemblage of click-happy photographers, video cameras and enthusiastic Buncrana people, complete with camera phones, who desperately wanted to speak to the man who has had three consecutive terms in office.
When Mr Ahern, kitted out with hard hat and yellow jacket, stepped on to the site he was grinning from ear to ear, oozing confidence and giving the impression he felt completely relaxed and at home in the seaside town. He was there to see the cementing of the foundations for the new Garda station, social welfare consolidated offices and decentralised offices.
The Taoiseach meeted and greeted councillors and people from the area before being given two presentations - a framed picture of the Crana Bridge and another of Fahan beach.
He also had a peek at the plans for the new site.
But before he had chance to get too comfy he was whisked away to Inishowen's Gateway Hotel. The media pack and loyal supporters followed.
And his visit to the hotel was a big surprise for happy couple Leanne Friel, (now Huvane) of Buncrana and William Huvane of New York, who got married earlier in the day and found them with a wedding guest they could never have imagined.
Mr Ahern posed for a memorable photo with the newly-weds and their bridesmaid Cassie Lyons, aged three, from Buncrana.
After helping to make the day for the happy couple, Mr Ahern told his entourage how Buncrana will always have a special place in his heart.
He said: "I have a special love for Buncrana because back in 1979 in the by-election I was posted as a deputy whip in Buncrana and since then I have made great friends with the organisation.
"The key group with me are all the councillors. I just want to thank you and thank you for all the times I have been back. You have been a great organisation and a great help and thank you for all the work you do throughout Inishowen and Muff and all the places we have battled over the years. Keep it up and I won't be far away."
Delighted Cecilia Keaveney also paid tribute to her leader and friend saying thank you to him from the bottom of her heart for all his hard work in the peninsula.
She told him, "You have done us proud."
