Dublin - Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern jointly opened the site of a historic 17th century battle on Tuesday in what was Ahern's last official duty before handing in his resignation. Ahern and Paisley were shown on national broadcaster RTE television cutting the ribbon to open the site with original 17th century swords.
The Battle of the Boyne near Drogheda in the Republic of Ireland in 1690 marked a decisive victory for the forces of the Protestant claimant for the English throne, William III, over the Catholic James II of England and Ireland, who was also James VII of Scotland.
The victory is celebrated by Northern Irish Protestants, like Paisley, who wish to maintain ties with London, while it has largely been ignored by Irish nationalists, like Ahern, who tend to be Catholic and seek Irish reunification.
"To those of you who have travelled here today from Northern Ireland, and especially those of you who come from the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist tradition, let me say: You are very welcome," Ahern said at the opening ceremony.
The 10-million-euro (15.5-million-dollar) facilities at the site include a visitor centre with exhibitions depicting the battle, audio-visual presentations, the restoration of the walled gardens and a tearoom and full-scale replica 17th century artillery and military equipment in an outdoor setting.
"The site has been developed in a fashion that fully reflects its importance as a place of history for all of the traditions on this island," Ahern said.
Earlier Tuesday, Paisley told RTE radio that Ahern would be "a good candidate for president" of Ireland, or he could take up a job at the European Commission.
Just three days after Paisley took over as first minister almost one year ago, Ahern invited him to the Boyne site and spoke of the need for nationalists to remember the historical significance of the Battle of the Boyne, which also paved the way for greater democracy.
"In recent years, many of us from the nationalist tradition have come to a greater appreciation of the history, traditions and identity of those of you from the unionist tradition with whom we share this island.
"We have come to understand the pride you take in your history and to recognize that your history is our history too," Ahern said at Tuesday's opening.
Paisley's election to the office of first minister of a power- sharing Belfast executive ended decades of bitter sectarian strife in the North.
Ahern was due to hand in his resignation to President Mary McAleese at 1700 GMT Tuesday after he stepped down amid questions about his personal finances. Finance Minister Brian Cowen replaces him.
Paisley is also due to leave office next month to be replaced by his former party deputy Peter Robinson.
