ON Tuesday night the Aras was more of a family house than usual when the President, Mrs Robinson invited the families of all six previous presidents to the Phoenix Park for a sneak preview of the visitors' centre. It is located in the Aras basement, in a previously unused part of the building, and the idea is that visitors to the Aras - and last year an astonishing 15,000 people passed through its doors - can get a feeling for the history of the house and the role of the President.
Among those who were there was a very sprightly Rita Childers - when her husband Erskine died there was a lot of talk that Rita would make an excellent successor. Sile de Valera was there with Dev's daughter, Emer O Cuiv. Writer Aidan Matthews was one of the representatives of the O Dalaigh clan - Cearbhall was his godfather.
Patrick and Maureen Hillery seemed delighted to be back in the house - this time with their grand-children who came along with their parents, John and Caroline Hillery.
The youngsters were particularly taken with the footage, showing their grandfather being kissed by Bob Geldof Paddy Hillery was in the Aras when Live Aid was on and it fell to him to present a cheque to Geldof - instead of just shaking his hand, Geldof planted a smacker on the President's cheek.
The new visitors' centre will not be open to the general public, instead it will be included in the itinerary of groups visiting the Aras.