It's noon and it's cold - but inside the National Library the photographers are milling around the President, Mrs McAleese, as she expounds upon the merits of The Millennium Book. The once-off creation comes in 23 volumes, all bound in goatskin, and representing the thoughts and wishes of Irish school children throughout the land. It's hoped that their essays and poems will provide a record of Irish life for future generations.
Once the President had departed, a small group of friends gathered to congratulate the new man at Galway's Druid Theatre. A youthful Ciaran Walsh, from Dunboyne, Co Meath, is the new managing director of the theatre company. Others join - Eithne Healy, of the National Millennium Committee, is one of the first to say comhghairdeachas. Actor Steve Blount, tall and striking in a grey Russian-style hat, is capturing the celebratory moments on camera. (He's caught on celluloid himself as Tom O'Monks in Agnes Brown.) And, so, the creation of more memorable millennium moments continues as the tea and coffee go around. The Tolan family from Letterkenny, Co Donegal, whose daughter Andrea (11) has contributed to the book, are up for the event. Kathleen Hennly is here with her grandson, Shane Gonzales (11), who has also written in the book.
The Millennium Book is the brainchild of writer Deirdre Purcell, who is delighted with the "physical manifestation" of her idea. Outside an ITV Channel 5 news-crew waits to waylay Minister Seamus Brennan and ask him why pubs will be closing early for the millennium. We really must go - but, baby, it's cold outside.