That’s Ireland

Here’s a prank letter that I wrote a few years ago to the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. It’s from a writer who wants to confirm an unusual urban-legend-style anecdote about her for a book. >>>

Letter to President McAleese

Dear President McAleese,

I am writing a book about international politics and I would appreciate if you could confirm the accuracy of the following paragraphs that I intend to use.

In November 1997, Mary McAleese was inaugurated as Ireland’s eighth President, and the first from north of the border. She is a qualified barrister, a former Professor of Law and an experienced broadcaster.

She is also an able diplomat, with a unique ability to defuse awkward situations. When one prominent Government Minister visited the Aras with a group of constituents, she saw him ‘pocket’ a valuable silver spoon.

Not wanting to publicly embarrass him, she came up with an ingenious solution. Her husband Martin is not only a professional accountant and dentist, but has also for many years performed magic tricks as a party-piece.

President McAleese announced an impromptu magic show for her guests. Martin chose the miscreant Minister as his assistant, and asked him to pick a card from a deck. With the Minister suitably distracted, Martin secretly removed the silver spoon from his pocket.

I look forward to receiving your confirmation of the accuracy of the above.

Yours sincerely,
Ms Kelly Shaw

Reply from President McAleese

I’ll post the reply that I got on Wednesday.