A little girl who was so touched by the events of September 11th that she drew a card and sent it to directly to President Bush got a big surprise on New Year's Eve when she received a personal reply from the President, headed "Dear Ciara" along with a large keepsake colour photograph.
Six-year-old Ciara Dolan from Tralee in Co Kerry made two cards after seeing the attacks on the World Trade Centre.
But the first card of the Twin Towers burning was put aside in favour of a large red heart and a rainbow with the words "I am so sorry, America. I love you."
Ciara thought the card with the Twin Towers would only upset the President and remind him of what had happened. So she sent the heart and rainbow card instead.
"I drew the heart for all the innocent people who died in America and the rainbow for peace all over the world," Ciara explained.
She was born in Boston but has been in Ireland since 1995. Her dad, Michael Dolan, hails from Boston while her mother, Catherine, is from Tralee.
She has an older brother, Patrick, (11). The family lived in Boston for 10 years.
Her mother got the address of the White House and posted the card shortly after the special day of mourning in September.
They had almost forgotten about the card when the postman arrived with a large brown envelope from the White House on New Year's Eve.
"Immediately, Ciara said 'that's from President Bush'," her mother said yesterday.
Inside was a personal letter from the President to Ciara which said how touched he was by her concern.
It goes on to say how "caring and thoughtful" Ciara is to think of them.
"During these difficult times I am encouraged by your kindness and compassion for others."
The letter ends: " Mrs Bush joins me in sending our warm wishes to you. God Bless you."
Ciara described the letter, now framed in the Dolan home, as the nicest she had ever seen.