Fun fact. On this date 70 years ago, the then Taoiseach, Eamonn De Valera , was asked by an opposition TD if the Irish government had been invited to the royal wedding the previous week, and of so, who went (and did they bring a pressie). The wedding was that of the current Queen Elizabeth II to Philip. Though an invite was received, Dev didn’t go – our ambassador in London went instead. He went empty-handed too. The TD asking the question was Michael Donnellan¹, representing Galway West (and a member of Clann na Talmhan, which no longer exists) . I don’t think the current Taoiseach will be facing a similar question from the opposition today or tomorrow about the forthcoming royal wedding across the water.
Excerpt from Dáil record [November 27th, 1947] :
Mr. Donnellan (for Mr. Flanagan):
asked the Minister for External Affairs if any invitation was received by the Government to attend or be represented at the Royal Wedding on 20th November, 1947; if so, who attended on behalf of the Irish Government; whether a presentation was made on behalf of the State; and if so, the nature of such presentation.
The Taoiseach:
¹Donnellan, his son and his grandson all captained Galway in Gaelic Football. Both he and his son won All-Ireland medals – Michael Donnellan passed away in Croke Park on the day his son led Galway to victory in 1964. The same son, John, was elected in the subsequent by-election.