Mayo man to the fore at President of Ireland's inauguration in Dublin Castle

Mayo man Col Tom McGrath has been appointed as Aide-de-Camp for the President of Ireland. 

Col McGrath, a native of Ballintubber, is a son of the late John and Tess McGrath and brother of Kathy, Michael, Helen, Shane and Siobhán. He lives in Co Kildare with his wife and young children. 

A noted sportsman, he played wingback for the victorious Ballintubber team that won the 1990 Intermediate Championship and he also played soccer at a high level during his time in the defence forces. 

Having taken up the role last March, the Ballintubber man is the first person visitors meet when they go to Áras an Uachtaráin. 

He also represents the first citizen of this State at official functions, such as funerals. 

He is centrally involved in the logistics of the Office of The President. 

He accompanied the President on her first official function on Wednesday to Gaelscoil Inse Chór (below) in Dublin earlier today. 

In an interview with the Military Archives, former Aide-de-Camp Commandant Brian Walsh said that "no matter what happened in Áras an Uachtaráin, somehow the the Aide-de-Camps’s office was involved."

He also quipped that in the role, "you had to get on with the President and the president's family and the staff and the civil servants."

The President is a regular visitor to Achill

President Catherine Connolly is a regular holidaymaker in Achill Island and a video from her visit last August of Des Cafferkey performing his own beautiful composition, “The Cradling Arms of Croaghan,” on the tin whistle was posted yesterday. 

The 'What's on in Achill' page wrote, "A beautiful moment of peace and music high above Achill — capturing the spirit of our new President, whose empathy and quiet strength reflect the very best of Ireland. We wish her every success and happiness in her new role over the next seven years."

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