Diary

My Week: Ambassador Paul Johnston - hope and history rhyme in seismic day for Stormont

A busy week tinged with hope, sadness but yet managing to finish Roddy Doyle’s brutal and brilliant novel ‘A Star Called Henry’

British Ambassador Paul Johnston at the Peace Proms at the RDS in Dublin: ‘If Saturday at Stormont was history, today at Simmonscourt was hope’

Friday, February 2

Hosted an unusual diplomatic reception. No Ferrero Rochers in sight, and guests from the Prison Service, homeless charities, welfare and veterans’ groups. We were thanking all those who help our embassy consular team. Many people’s only experience of an embassy is if they get into trouble overseas, losing a passport, or worse. Consular is some of the least glamorous but most important work we do.

Home in time to see my mate ...