Relations between Britain and Ireland had changed fundamentally for the better, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said in the first address by an Irish head of government to a joint session of the British houses of parliament.
In a wide-ranging address in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster, Mr Ahern ranged over centuries of Anglo-Irish history before concluding with the success of the peace process.
The history of the two islands was "close, complex and difficult", he said, before recalling the contributions of Daniel O'Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell to the House of Commons in the 19th century. He noted that Ireland had elected the first woman in Constance Markievicz, "although she chose instead to take her seat in the first Dáil".
Conflicts "had become synonymous with years", whether it was 1169, 1916 or "the recent agony of the Troubles". Mr Ahern recalled the 1916 Rising did not have universal support until "the heavy-handed exercise of power by the British authorities in its wake".
What he termed "the bloodstained chapters" of the past could not be torn out but that did not mean they should be written into "the story of our future". Ireland was successful and self-confident, "still conscious of our history but not captured by it".
"No two nations and no two peoples have closer ties of history and geography and of family and friendship," he said, noting "over a hundred members of this parliament" had Irish roots. The Republic had more than 100,000 "most welcome" British citizens.
The two countries enjoyed an economic and cultural partnership. "One of the most creative moments in human history was the meeting between the English language and the Irish people."
The greatest bond of all was "our partnership of peace" which showed that peace was not impossible and conflict not inevitable.
"The contribution of Prime Minister Blair has been exceptional," he said. "Tony Blair has been a true friend to me and a true friend to Ireland. He has an honoured place in Irish hearts and in Irish history."
In the impatience to build a better future, though, those who died and those who mourned must be remembered. "The relationship between Britain and Ireland has changed fundamentally for the better. It is and will remain vital for both our countries. The success we have seen - in reimagining British-Irish relations and in establishing peace in Northern Ireland - is not the end but only the beginning of what we can achieve together."
Introducing Mr Ahern, Mr Blair said there were many who deserved credit for their work in the peace process including Sir John Major, who was in attendance, and Albert Reynolds.
"But the man we are honouring this afternoon has been at the very heart of the search for a political settlement in Northern Ireland for more than a decade. He has never given up, whatever the frustrations and the pressures.
"One of my strongest memories of the days just before the Good Friday agreement was the sight of Bertie Ahern, returning from his mother's funeral and visibly upset, but determined to finish the job, to put the future of others first."
House of Commons speaker Michael Martin said it was "an exceptional honour" to participate in the occasion, recalling that his forebears came from Templeport, Co Cavan, in the 1870s. He said the Taoiseach had "played a hugely significant role in bringing about peace".
Recalling Phil Coulter's song The Town I Loved So Well, with its hope for "a bright, brand new day", he said that "because of you, Taoiseach, and many others at this gathering", there was peace once again in Northern Ireland.
