Politicians, academics and journalists coming together during the political holidays ostensibly to debate and ponder upon the affairs of the day but also to enjoy the hospitality of the various venues in Ireland. If you wander down the streets of Ballina (Humbert), Lahinch (Merriman) or Wicklow (Parnell and Glencree) this month or Ardara (Magill) last month, you'd never know what leading politician or journalist you'd be soon sharing a lunch with.

They have an important political role. Living in Ballina I've been a close observer of the Humbert School over the last 20 years. Even at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the Humbert School always managed to bring speakers from north and south together and whilst they may not have shared the same physical platform at times, their willingness to participate in the same event was an early sign of the progress that eventually resulted in the historic stability we have today. The relationships built up at Humbert, Magill and at similar events, all played their role and as we build on the great progress of recent years they will continue to provide a necessary forum to foster discussion and debate both formally and especially informally. Long may they continue!