91Èȱ¬

Last night's dinner for Lord Eames brought together about a dozen journalists from across Ireland with press officers and Eames staffers to pay tribute to the primate and Lady Eames (and thank him for providing so much "copy" over the years). In total, there were about twenty-four guests, gathered around the table in Queen's University's senior common room.

Alf McCreary of the Belfast Telegraph and Patsy McGarry of the Irish Times gave the keynote speeches, with Robin and Christine Eames reponding. It was an evening for laughter, friendship and the sharing of memories. Alf got a lot of ribbing for breaking the story of the Eames retirement -- and there's still some mystery surrounding that journalistic exclusive. Patsy recalled the Drumcree debacle, which the Archbishop has described as his "personal Calvary". At the time, patsy and his paper were deeply critical of Dr Eames's handling of the affair. Then came brief speeches from John Cooney of the Irish Independent, Paul Clarke of UTV, Jim Dougal -- 91Èȱ¬ Northern Ireland's former political editor, who has just finished a two-part UTV documentary about the archbishop, to be broadcast in the new year -- Joe Little of RTE, Martin O'Brien of the 91Èȱ¬, Billy Kennedy of the News letter, myself, and others. many speakers spoke of Eames as a colossus in Irish cultural and religious life. We also heard from press officers and advisers, such as Fr Tim Bartlett, and some of the archbishop's close colleagues. The speeches were all personal, often funny, and warmly affectionate. After the food, wine and speeches, Patsy McGarry presented Lord Eames with a cartoon recalling some of his most challenging moments as an international Anglican leader -- Drumcree and the Windsor Report. And yes, I can confirm that no episcopal figures were found afterwards in the back seats of strange cars.

I'll be recording a long-format interview with Lord Eames next week, for broadcast early in the new year, marking the close of his primacy.