Large, cheering crowds, consisting mainly of Fianna Fáil supporters from all over the country, gather at the gates of Áras an Uachtaráin to say farewell to Éamon de Valera at the end of his 14 years as President of Ireland.
De Valera is given another enthusiastic reception at Boland's Mill, where he fought during the 1916 Rising. Fianna Fáil leader Jack Lynch addresses the crowd and pays tribute to de Valera for his long service to the state. Lynch comments
In my generation and in subsequent generations, he has inspired our national aspirations and directed the course of their attainment. Those who today reject this course, who pursue their own misguided course of violence, can claim no identity with the man who 57 years ago took up arms on this spot, and who fought for Irish freedom.
Speaking in Irish, de Valera says that he once thought he would never see a united Ireland, but he now thinks that he will some day.
This report was broadcast on 24 June 1973.
