DUP leader Arlene Foster has described her attendance at the Ulster football final as taking a step toward reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Ms Foster was warmly applauded by GAA fans as she joined them in Clones, Co Monaghan to watch her native Fermanagh play Donegal.
The former Stormont first minister became the first DUP leader to attend the showpiece event.
Ms Foster said she was aware of the significance of her appearance. DUP ministers have attended GAA games before but none as high profile as the Ulster Final and none in the Republic of Ireland.
Ms Foster stood as the Irish national anthem was played before the throw-in and then took her seat only a few away from Sinn Féin's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill.
"I do realise that there might be some people who may be uncomfortable with me being here," Ms Foster said.
"But let me say this - I am a leader of a political party that wants to have a shared society in Northern Ireland and to do that you have to take steps forward and to do that we have to build a respect and tolerance and that's what I want to do," she said.
In an apparent reference to Sinn Féin, she added: "I hope that others take the chance to step forward as well and to understand and appreciate and tolerate another culture perhaps that is not theirs."
Ms Foster's hopes of a victory for her home county were dashed, however, with Fermanagh suffering a heavy defeat.
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Her appearance came ahead of another significant step next week when she will attend an LGBT event at Stormont.
The DUP has been much criticised by gay rights activists for its resistance to same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
Fermanagh fans who witnessed her arrival clapped as the DUP leader entered the stadium.
There was another positive reception when she briefly walked to the edge of the playing surface to field media questions before walking up the steps to take her seat in the main stand ahead of the game.
She shook hands with Ms O'Neill, who was sitting just behind her, and Donegal TD Joe McHugh.
Ms Foster and party colleague Christopher Stalford then stood with the rest of the sell-out crowd as the Irish national anthem was played.
Ms O'Neill welcomed Mrs Foster's attendance.
"I along with other Sinn Féin leaders met recently with Prince Charles in order to demonstrate our desire to reach out and respect those across our community of a unionist and British identity," she said.
"We recognise the important significance of Arlene Foster as DUP leader attending today's Ulster final and acknowledge and very much welcome her decision to do so.
"She has encouraged others to step forward as well to understand, appreciate and respect another culture perhaps that is not theirs in the context of building an inclusive society.
"There is an onus on all in political leadership to build on these recent initiatives and do more together if we want to be successful in bringing about a society underpinned by inclusion."
Mr McHugh sat beside the DUP leader during the game.
"Arlene Foster showed a real interest in the rules of Gaelic football and several times she asked me about some of the Irish words that you can see and hear on and around a GAA pitch," he said.
"She really was pleasant company for the Ulster final and I know it is not simple for her to be there either.
