Rev Ian Paisley was given a standing ovation at the Trinity College Historical Society, writes Paul Cullen.
Wearing a Jesus Is God badge, a Dublin Fusiliers tie and a heart-shaped Union Jack tie-pin, Ian Paisley swept into Trinity College yesterday for a historic first appearance at the College Historical Society.
The North's 81-year-old First Minister was given a warm reception by a packed hall of students, who greeted his arrival with a standing ovation and marked his departure after 80 minutes on his feet with enthusiastic applause.
This was another event which revealed how much has been changed by the peace process, with a mellow Rev Paisley the object of respectful questions and no little adulation.
The often rancorous debates held by the Hist during the Troubles seemed to belong to another era.
Still full of voice and sure of his delivery, Rev Paisley delivered a half-hour lecture on Edward Carson, the early 20th-century Ulster Unionist leader and one-time MP for Trinity College.
"I don't usually read anything, but I thought I'd better be careful what I said," he apologised, before pledging himself to Carson's commitment that "all should be equally subject to the law and all equally defended by the law".
But Carson was a Irish Unionist whereas he is an Ulster Unionist, Rev Paisley cautioned, before scoffing at the notion that a united Ireland might become a reality if the Republic were to rejoin the Commonwealth.
The questions came thick and fast, many from students with Northern accents.
Regrets, yes, he's had a few, but not any major political ones.
"But I do wish I didt come to Dublin more often - to evangelise the heathens.
"I'm 81 years of age. I sleep well, I eat well and I don't care what they say as long as my conscience is clear before God," he told another student who referred to claims that he had "sold out".
Responding to a question about religious segregation in education, he recalled how he played with "Roman Catholic young people" until he was six and they went their separate educational ways.
"I don't think that is a good thing. I believe we should have one school system. If people don't like that, let them have their own schools and let them pay for them."
It ended with an invitation. "Come up to the Giant's Causeway," Rev Paisley urged the students, "I'm the MP for the area. That's why I'm a giant."