The Diamond Jubilee was finally officially launched on Wednesday March by Her Excellency, President Mary McAleese who had just come from an ecumenical service to mark the opening day of the 31st Dáil and immediately afterwards had to rush off to present the seal of office of Taoiseach to the new Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The President in her address praised the magnificent tradition of 75 years of service by Drimnagh Residents Association and had particular praise for all volunteers as exemplified by the many volunteers who had worked for the Association over the past 75 years. She noted that volunteers are unique in that they have a job for life, they usually never retire and are never made redundant!