Our new ambassador in Washington, Sean O hUiginn, has changed his name. The Department of Foreign Affairs decided the lower case "h" would baffle the Americans so, in press releases, he has now become Sean O Huiginn. Since his arrival a couple of months ago he has been meeting everyone that matters. Indeed Senator Edward Kennedy and his wife Vicky threw a reception in their home (no longer the mansion overlooking the Potomac but a smaller abode), to introduce the O hUiginns to some of the movers and shakers in Washington. They praised Sean for "making a major contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process".
News of the party reminds Quidnunc of the farewell speech in Iveagh House during the summer, delivered by the secretary of DFA, Paddy MacKernan. The section called The Northern Peace Process - A Mylesian Catechism went as follows:
Q. What topological acceleration is our activity intended to achieve?
A. Moving the situation forward.
Q. What egalitarian confirmation of mutual admiration is also intended?
A. Parity of esteem.
Q. In the event of success, what harmless neo-Yeatsian competition might absorb internecine Republican energies?
A. A Terrible Beauty contest.
Q. At what diurnal point will the contending parties be compelled to settle their differences?
A. At the end of the day.
Q. What accretion to the quadrapartite division of the year has Northern Ireland bequeathed us?
A. The Marching Season.