Ahern Observes History on Last Day As Pm

In brilliant sunshine close to the river bank where a battle more than 300 years ago preceded three centuries of conflict in Ireland, the Irish premier, Bertie Ahern, yesterday carried out the final act of reconciliation between nationalism and unionism.

On his final day in office as taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Ahern joined the leader of the unionist tradition in Ireland, Ian Paisley, to open a new center commemorating the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 when Prince William of Orange defeated the Catholic King James II.

Using two 17th-century swords, Ahern and Northern Ireland's outgoing first minister cut the blue ribbon tied outside the door of Oldbridge House, the center near the battle site which will house artifacts about the Protestant victory.

In his last major speech as taoiseach Ahern paid a generous tribute to Paisley for helping fulfil the Irish premier's greatest achievement of his 11 years in office - peace and a stable political settlement in Northern Ireland.

After receiving a gift wrapped King James Bible from Paisley dated 77 years after the Battle of the Boyne, Ahern praised the former foe of previous Irish prime ministers from Seán Lemass to Albert Reynolds for agreeing to share power with republicans almost a year to the day. It is still a U-turn that would have seemed unthinkable a few years ago: Paisley sitting down in government with former IRA leaders.

Ahern told Paisley: "I would like to commend you for the leadership you showed in helping bring about the famous day in May last year when the democratic institutions were restored.

"I would like to thank you for helping to lay the foundations for a peaceful and prosperous future in Northern Ireland ... I'd like to thank you for your courtesy to me and your friendship."

With the flags of Jacobite and Williamite regiments hanging limply above 17th-century cannons from the time of the battle, Paisley also heaped praise on Ahern for his role in helping restore power sharing in Northern Ireland.

The first minister said: "To the bad old days there can be no turning back. The killing times must end for ever and no tolerance must be given to those who advocate their return. A strong dedication to peace and an intolerance of murder must drive us forward. This must be the end of all atrocities and the building of the ways of peace."

Paisley had been asked what job Ahern should take up after he left office. "The Irish presidency," Paisley replied. Yesterday, Ahern went to the current Irish president, Mary McAleese, and tendered his resignation.

The 1,500 assembled guests included members of the Protestant marching institutions, the Orange Order and Apprentice Boys, watched a mock firefight between lines of Williamite and Jacobite soldiers. Musket shots punctured the still summer air in this picturesque corner of the Irish Republic, the silence of real guns north of the border a testament in part to Ahern's premiership.

Among the rows of former political adversaries, unionist and republican, was Ahern's successor, the Irish finance minister, Brian Cowen. Later today, Cowen will be elected taoiseach in the Dáil (Irish parliament) and will focus on persuading the Irish electorate in a few weeks time to say yes to the Lisbon EU reform treaty.