Beverly Smyth was recently invited to a reception by Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland, at Áras an Uachtaráin (House of the President).

The company assisted Ireland’s first president, Douglas Hyde, with his move to the Áras an Uachtaráin in 1938 (then known as the Vice regal Lodge), and has provided moving service to all eight succeeding presidents including President Higgins.

 
Prior to Douglas Hyde’s residency at Áras an Uachtaráin, the house had few inhabitants. Constructed in 1751 by Nathaniel Clements, and known then as the Park Rangers Lodge the building changed ownership in 1782.  It was acquired for use as a summer residence by the British Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and became known as the Viceregal Lodge.

In 1937 The Irish Constitution established the Office of the President of Ireland. Hyde renamed the House, Áras an Uachtaráin and it became Official Residence of the President of Ireland.

Aside from the many state functions held in Áras an Uachtaráin, over 100,000 citizens and Foreign Dignity’s are welcomed by invitation to the house each year. Such diverse guests as, US President John F Kennedy, The Holy See Pope John Paul II, US President Ronald Regan, and who HRH Queen Elizabeth II. visited in 1963, 1979, 1984, and 2011 respectively,  all of whom were assisted by Beverly Smyth with transferring offices and gifts to and from Ireland upon the occasion of their visits.

Photo: Rob Gilbert of Beverly Smyth pictured with President Michael D. Higgins and First Lady of Ireland Sabine Higgins.