Yeats, when he visited Stratford-upon-Avon in 1901, described the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) as “a theatre that has been made not to make money, but for the pleasure of making it”.

Today, President Higgins and Sabina visited the same theatre, on the fourth and final day of their State visit.

The pair seemed very much at home.

Gregory Doran, artistic director of the RSC, said he was “really impressed” by the scale and depth of President Higgins’ "passion for literature and his language”, and his really interesting conversation about the growth of the English language.

“It was a lovely moment in the wig room,” continued Mr Doran, “because we were doing a rehearsal for them and Antony Sher, who’s playing Falstaff, was able to introduce them to the process of getting ready. You could see that Mrs Higgins in particular was very interested in the craftsmanship, in the wig lace and knotting, and how on this one site here in Stratford we have all these different crafts - in this market town in innermost England if you like (he mentioned an armoury, a wardrobe department and scenery building).

"It was delightful to show them around backstage and you could see the sort of sense of the backstage excitement.”

The famous tavern scene from Henry IV Part One was performed by the RSC cast; it was extremely impressive. More than one or two of the cast have both the talent and looks to make it on the big screen.

The performance was followed by a speech from the President during which he had the entire cast charmed. Heads cocked to one side as they lapped it up, entranced by our Gaelic tongue as Michael D. shared a cúpla focal.

The theatre itself is idyllic. The beautiful interior has great dark wooden beams and railings, rising up many levels.

Oscar Wilde described the original 1879 Memorial Theatre as “one of the loveliest buildings erected in England for many years”, but his compatriot, George Bernard Shaw, did not acquiesce. When the theatre burned to the ground in 1926, Shaw sent the board a telegram which read: "Congratulations, it will be a tremendous advantage to have a proper modern building. There are a number of other theatres I should like to see burned down.”

Shaw is an Irish literary great Gregory Doran “loves to hate”.

He explains why.

“When he was asked to propose the toast to the immortal memory of the bard, he declined, and had declined for years until 1925 when he finally accepted. When asked why he hadn’t taken up the invitation before, he said that as he never celebrated his own birthday, why should he celebrate that of a lesser dramatist.”

Gregory’s preferred Irish writer is Oscar Wilde, whom he "adores". “I think he is one of the most witty writers; Shaw, I have a more complex relationship with.”

Regarding young people’s relationship with Shakespeare today, Mr Doran told Irish Country Living: “If you’re given access to Shakespeare early, before you hit the cynical age of about 13, then you have a passport through life. I believe Shakespeare can grab kids at a young age because of the stories of tempests and shipwrecks and battles and ghosts and witches and fairies, and on that level they’re great stories.

"I remember reading Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes in which he said in France, and in hospital for quite a long time as a child, he had nothing else to read but Shakespeare. He said speaking Shakespeare was like ‘having jewels in your mouth’.

“I think there’s an intimidation factor that hangs around Shakespeare; we kind of think he’s going to be difficult, but if you get him early, those difficulties evaporate.”

The artistic director was particularly touched by the President’s visit given that he has Irish roots himself, via his grandparents who hail from Cork.

“It’s just great – it’s great to have somebody who is as engaged and as passionate, and clearly so thoroughly knowledgeable and steeped in literature. I hope he and Mrs Higgins come back when they have a little bit more time to enjoy the shows.”

The event closed with an exchange of gifts. The RSC presented President Higgins with a copy of Shakespeare’s completed works while he in turn presented them with a copy of the Book of Kells.

The President and Sabina then visited Shakespeare’s birthplace while later moving on to Coventry where they visited the cathedral and attended a reception at St Mary’s Guildhall, concluding what was what was an incredibly hectic, though seriously successful, State visit.