Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Frederick H. Boland (Dublin)

My dear Secretary,
Your telegram No. 4 of the 3rd February about the President's visit.¹

The President would require his evening suit with black waistcoat. There is really no need for a tall hat or full morning coat, but if he is accustomed to wearing them he may prefer to bring them. You will remember that the Italian Government are treating all distinguished Officers of State visitors to the Holy See as distinguished visitors passing through their territory but without an official status vis-à-vis the Italian Government. Therefore any contacts will be as informal as were those of the Taoiseach and Minister.

The success of the two official visits which have already taken place, was very largely due to the pilgrim attitude adopted in all things during their stay. It would therefore be a grave error and most regrettable if the President's visit were marred by any parade of uniforms or other display not entirely and exclusively provided by the Vatican. Indeed the two aides plus a secretary will, in themselves, look rather overdone as a staff for such a very special occasion.

With regard to the Grand Cross of Saint Gregory, the President should bring it with him, but I hope very much that he will receive, on arrival here, a better decoration to wear at his audience. Moreover, it is probable that the Taoiseach and the Minister will be given decorations about the same time.

I cannot too strongly urge the need for extreme simplicity in everything connected with this visit. Uniforms would be disastrous and would immediately place us in the category of the Balkan or Central American States. They should be left at home.

In the case of the Taoiseach's aide, his simple uniform was never worn in or near the Vatican, and it was excused on other occasions by the recognised fact that the wearer was a distinguished veteran of the Irish wars.