It was a fitting if not emotional moment for Canadian Ambassador Nancy Smyth as she returned to the school her grandmother first attended in Donegal this week.
Back in July 1912, a little girl called Annie Magee started school in Ballintra and her name was forever recorded in the Robertson National School Clár Leabhar.
Ten years later in 1922, she emigrated to Canada and made a new life overseas.
This week, a little more than 100 years later, her granddaughter Nancy (the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland), grandson Stan and great-grandson Graeme came to walk in her footsteps.
They too looked out across the Ballintra countryside and stood in the place that was once the playground for little Annie Magee.
A spokesperson for the school said “It was a lovely, poignant and emotional morning. The children sang, played tin whistle and talked about the history of our school.
“The Ambassador planted a maple tree in the school grounds and reminded the children that there is a big world out there…ready for them to explore and do wonderful things.
“The children presented flowers, drawings and a gift to the Ambassador and we also thank her for the lovely gifts she presented to the children.
“No occasion would be complete without cupcakes and tea. And so, with the sun shining on a very enjoyable and memorable morning, we sat outside and ate cupcakes…and wondered whose marvellous adventures would be talked about 100 years from now.”