Brian Cowen made a rare public appearance on Thursday following his recovery from a debilitating stroke over three years ago.
The former Taoiseach was in attendance at the Fleadh Cheoil when he opened up about his health ordeal. He revealed he had no recollection of the first few weeks following his stroke as he was placed in an induced coma. Mr Cowen is currently using a walking aid but hopes to regain full mobility in the future.
“I’m also doing three days a week in the pool locally because the buoyancy in the water helps. The walking is good, but if I go a distance or if I’m going to a match I bring the chair,” he told the Irish Independent.
READ MORE: Fleadh Cheoil: Where is it happening and everything you need to know
Mr Cowen suffered the stroke in July 2019. He remained in hospital for over a year and spent the majority of his rehabilitation on the stroke ward at the Royal Hospital in Donnybrook.
The former Fianna Fáil leader was given the Gradam na hÉigse on Thursday to commemorate his involvement with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Minister for Culture Catherine Martin also received an award in recognition of her contributions to Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann.
“I would like to thank everyone involved for giving me this reward. Whether it is deserved or not, I’m not giving it back,” Mr Cowen jokingly told crowds while accepting his award.
He then went on to praise the young people playing musical instruments at the festival and urged them to keep on performing. This year’s Fleadh festival, the first one to take place since the beginning of the pandemic, is expected to draw crowds of around half a million over the next week.
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