If you are giving the EU President a souvenir of Ireland it has to be ... a Cork GAA jersey
The European Commission President was given a Cork jersey during a visit to Croke Park.
Jean-Claude Juncker received the jersey reflecting European unity on his last day in Ireland.
The jersey featured the number 27 to mark his representing the EU27
During a two-day trip to Dublin he has joined other European leaders in pledging the bloc’s solidarity with Ireland over the border uncertainty with Northern Ireland created by Brexit.
Pleasure to welcome @junckerEU to @CrokePark where he met Sam Maguire, Liam McCarthy & @shefflinhenry and saw a display of skill. Thanks to @officialgaa. President Junker is heading home with a personalised Cork Jersey 😉. Good to have him on our team 🇪🇺🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/GzRJPiaoJD
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) June 22, 2018
The county of choice might have had something to do with the fact that it was Tanaiste Simon Coveney who presented Mr Juncker with the shirt.
As Kilkenny hurling great Henry Shefflin – and Stacey Cahill, from Kildare, demonstrated their skills Mr Juncker said: “It is a vocation not a job.”
President Juncker also met Irish president Michael D Higgins at his official residence in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
He complimented Mr Higgins on his “beautiful” home, Aras an Uachtarain, gesturing around the state reception room with its views across the park.
Mr Juncker met Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina and there were warm greetings as he thanked his hosts.
He took Mrs Higgins’ hand and planted a kiss on it, before giving her a kiss on the cheek and signing the visitors’ book.
