Andy Mardell reports from Thursday night’s opening ceremony where delegates enjoyed a unique experience. The organising committee of EORNA were rightly proud that the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, officially opened the conference on Thursday. She informed the delegates that this event was the biggest nursing conference ever hosted in the Republic.
She encouraged the delegates to learn from each other and to go home and remember what they learnt it in Dublin. It was also suggested that as President she was responsible for the Irish weather and that Thursday’s weather had been delivered correctly but the rest of the week was not looking so good however Ms McAleese promised that she would do her best to make the rest of the week as favourable as possible.
Following the President, Maureen Flynn talked about the art of perioperative care using illustrations from famous paintings from all parts of Europe. The evening was concluded by the Irish archipelago singers Anúna with a hauntingly beautiful set that had the audience standing to show their appreciation.

Following the ceremony an Irish Céílí was held were we were taught to dance in the traditional way. At the end of the evening there seemed to be no casualties despite the vigorous activities.

Andy Mardell