The Nobel Peace Prize winner Mr John Hume and Mr Colm O'Gorman of the One in Four support group for survivors of child abuse were both at the RDS in Ballsbridge in Dublin yesterday as Amma, India's "hugging saint", dispensed free hugs to all-comers. Tim O'Brien reports.
Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, known as Amma, sat for two days in the Industries Hall in the RDS offering hugs to an estimated crowd of up to 10,000.
Grandparents, small children and even young men in "Aussie Rules" football jerseys queued to spend a few seconds clasped to Amma's breast, many of them coming away visibly moved by the experience.
As people queued on their knees in the central aisle of the hall, many holding flowers, small gifts or photographs for Amma to bless, many more sat serenely on the floor, legs crossed and fingertips touching, some meditating, some simply smiling sweetly at those around them.
Indian music was played from a stage behind Amma and the walls were decorated with paper flowers as the helpers, mostly dressed in white robes, beamed a welcome to all visitors.
The welcome and admission were free. Asked if she was happy with the large turnout - she was sitting until the early hours of this morning - Amma said her happiness came from inside.
"If I say I am happy with a big crowd, does that mean I am less happy with a smaller crowd?
"No, I am happy inside, happy with all who come."
As those who received her hugs stood up, faces flushed, Amma spoke over her shoulder to reporters, alternately hugging and giving gifts of apples and sweets.
We reporters then found ourselves individually pressed forward for what seemed to be a very, very long hug indeed.
There was, for this reporter, no great experience of the "essence of true fulfilment and unconditional love", as reportedly experienced by others.
But as we left we were found to be smiling.
And it was not such a bad day.