Exhibition based on the state visits of Hillery Presidency

Part of an exhibition based on the state visits of Dr Patrick Hillery's Presidency has been placed on display at the branch library in his hometown of Miltown Malbay, County Clare.

'From There to Here: the state visits of the Hillery Presidency' was exhibited at Clare Museum between November 2005 and February 2006.

It featured text panels and artefacts relating to state visits made and received by President Hillery during his two terms as Head of State between 1976 and 1990. Now, four of the six text panels are on display at the Dr. Patrick Hillery Library in Miltown Malbay.

"A booklet that accompanied the original exhibition is also available", Museum Curator John Rattigan said. He continued, "It will be of interest as it includes photographs of the informal visit of the King and Queen of Spain to Miltown Malbay in June 1986. Many local people are featured in the photographs of the royal couple walking through the streets of the town."

"Although space limitations mean that artefacts cannot be displayed on this occasion, most of the objects from the exhibition can be viewed on line at the library, where there is free access to the Clare Museum website", Mr. Rattigan added.

The objects of interest are listed in a catalogue in the booklet. Included are gifts received from President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy presented to President Hillery on President Reagan's state visit to Ireland in 1984.