Former Russian president Boris Yeltsin, who stood up former taoiseach Albert Reynolds, a host of dignitaries and a guard of honour on the tarmac at Shannon airport in 1994, came back during the week and this time got off the aircraft, write Pat Flynn and Stephen Collins.
Mr Yeltsin arrived at Shannon on Thursday - almost 12 years after the minor but embarrassing diplomatic incident that made news around the world - for a three-day private visit.
Mr Yeltsin was met by the Russian ambassador before being whisked off amid tight security to the five-star Dromoland Castle, where he will stay until tomorrow. It was at Dromoland Castle that Mr Yeltsin and Mr Reynolds were due to attend a lavish reception in 1994 but that event had to be cancelled.
Mr Yeltsin travelled to the Cliffs of Moher on Thursday and spent yesterday morning shark fishing off the Clare coast, before travelling to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, for lunch. Although frail and requiring assistance alighting from the boat, he was in good spirits, sitting at the front of the private coach which awaited him.
Mr Yeltsin hit the headlines in September 1994 when a meeting with Mr Reynolds had to be cancelled because he "overslept" on his aircraft. He was making a stopover at Shannon on his way back to Moscow from the US but, as it turned out, it was more like a sleepover as he failed to emerge from his aircraft.
The then taoiseach had to be content with meeting deputy prime minister Oleg Soskovets, who said the president was "asleep."
It was rumoured the vodka-loving Russian leader had over-indulged on the journey from Washington, but back in Moscow he said: "I feel excellent. I can tell you honestly, I just overslept."
Mr Yeltsin returns to Moscow tomorrow.