They concentrated on the deliverables. For Andy Burnham and Micheál Martin that meant the immediacy and importance of the occasion - the first international leader to visit Number 10 North, the new Prime Minister's big statement on shifting power out of Westminster, was the Taoiseach.
As was the visit of the two leaders to the Brian Boru Irish club in Makerfield, in the Prime Minister’s constituency. It was quite a sight, and felt very natural.
The talks centered on near term issues. Things that are in their control - or close to being in their control - and that they can give effect to in the months ahead: legislation to deal with the legacy of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, a new deal between the EU and the UK.
And some big international issues ahead of next week's United Nations General Assembly - Ukraine, Palestine, Iran, the worsening oil crisis as the Houthis strike deep into Saudi Arabia.
US President Donald Trump and Mr Burnham are both due to speak to the UN General Assembly on Monday, but yesterday there was no real talk about Mr Trump's support for Irish reunification, nor of the call for a border poll from Sinn Féin, backed by the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru in Wales, who want referendums of their own.
After the days events, the Taoiseach met journalists and briefed on the talks. He described his meeting with Mr Burnham as very warm. He highlighted Mr Burnham's Irish heritage and personal affinity with Ireland, saying there is significant scope for progress in bilateral relations over the coming years.
"Being here at the Brian Boru Centre reflects the enduring historical relationship between our two countries and the many migrants who came to this part of the world to work and settle. Andy Burnham has a particular personal and historical connection to that story.
"This is his constituency, and he is very enthusiastic about the Irish community. We travelled here together, and it was very clear from our discussions that he has a genuine personal affinity for Ireland. We have a Prime Minister who is instinctively friendly towards Ireland and keen that we work closely together," said the Taoiseach.
"On the Good Friday Agreement, we discussed legacy issues in depth. We now have an important date in October, and I stressed the importance of securing parliamentary approval for the framework agreement. This is a substantial and meaningful agreement which would mean a great deal to survivors and to the families of victims who lost loved ones during three decades of violence and trauma.
"I meet many of those families regularly. For 30 years, efforts have been underway to establish an agreed approach to legacy issues. The British and Irish governments have worked intensively on this in recent years, and we have managed to fundamentally reframe the process through constructive negotiations.
"Despite the challenges, I believe this agreement would represent a significant step forward for reconciliation on the island of Ireland, supported by strong commitments from the Irish Government through legislation, the special unit in An Garda Síochána, and other measures.
"Almost three decades after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, the Stormont institutions are in need of reform to make them work properly, and the leaders discussed reform ideas.
"As we approach the agreement's 30th anniversary in 2028. We should use that anniversary not only for reflection but also to consider reforms to the institutions," the Taoiseach said.
"I have said for a number of years that reform is needed, particularly in the aftermath of Assembly elections. As a parliamentary democrat, I believe it is unconscionable that an Assembly could be elected but not convened, or that a Speaker could not be elected.
"These matters are the subject of ongoing discussions involving the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties there. Because all of the institutions are interconnected, the Irish Government has a strong interest in ensuring they function effectively.
"The Prime Minister is also very focused on the budget situation in Northern Ireland. A solution is needed because there are pressing challenges affecting people's daily lives, including the cost of living, public services and justice-related issues."
Britain has been seeking reset with EU since 2024
Britain has been seeking a reset in its relationship with the EU since the last general election in 2024. It wants to change the terms of a number of agreements with the EU particularly those impacting trade relations. It's also keen to get into a number of EU co-operations aimed at protecting the European manufacturing industry, defence and scientific research.
The EU is broadly sympathetic, but a recently floated 'Made in Europe' standard to protect EU industry against Chinese competition and respond to US tariffs driven uncertainty could cause problems for the British, especially on those parts of British industry that are seeking smoother trade in the EU supply chain.
A summit between Britain and the EU was mooted for July but postponed because of the change of Prime Minster. It's now back on - at least tentatively - for some time in November, according to the Taoiseach, who is hopeful of securing at least some deals between the EU and Britain.
But the lobbying visit to the ECOFIN informal meeting in Dublin yesterday by UK Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healy is a sign of just how difficult the 'Made in Europe' idea could be for the UK.
"We hope there will be a summit in November," said the Taoiseach.
"Engagement between the European Union and the United Kingdom is continuing, and as EU Presidency holder we are maintaining a close focus on that relationship. There are areas where further agreements could be reached, although some issues remain to be resolved at EU level, including matters relating to industrial policy.
"Our view is that it would be preferable for a summit in November to produce concrete outcomes that strengthen the relationship between Europe and the United Kingdom. That would benefit Ireland directly and would also be positive for Europe more generally."
He said the EU side has work of its own to do in clarifying exactly what it means by 'Made in Europe'.
"The European Union also has to be conscious of the trade agreements it has already concluded with the UK, Canada, Japan and others. Anything Europe does cannot undermine those existing agreements because Europe's credibility and commitments matter in this respect.
"There is a degree of complexity around the 'Made in Europe' agenda. Even from an Irish perspective, global supply chains are now highly complex, and we have a significant body of legislation in Europe that we are seeking to simplify and streamline.
"There is potential for considerable complexity if a poorly drafted framework is introduced to govern the 'Made in Europe' provisions. Many countries have strong views on these matters, and those perspectives should not be underestimated.
"Before the issue even arises in relation to external partner countries, I believe Europe still has more work to do internally on these questions."
Taoiseach describes Burnham's stance on Ukraine as consistent
Right at the start of the day, before the formal meeting began, the Taoiseach publicly declared his admiration for Britain’s and Mr Burnham's stance on Ukraine, describing it as strong and consistent. Mr Burnham had thanked the Taoiseach on behalf of the "coalition of the willing" for Ireland’s support for Ukraine.
Afterwards the Taoiseach said Britain’s strong position in defence of Ukraine was greatly appreciated in the EU, and this fed through into other areas of the post Brexit relationship.
"There is a great deal of support for Britain in Europe because of the leadership role Britain has taken on Ukraine," said Mr Martin.
"I said that to the Prime Minister. Britain has led from the front on Ukraine from the very beginning, and that has resonated strongly with a number of member states, particularly those on the eastern flank. They appreciate that leadership.
"Given Russia's aggression and the broader instability in the global situation, there are clear synergies in defence and security. It makes sense that Britain and Europe would have a stronger relationship."
As they head to New York next week for the diplomatic equivalent of speed dating at the UN General Assembly, that sense of danger in the international climate pushing neighbours closer together hung over yesterday’s meeting.
Talk of economic and budgetary challenges in the near term, the foreground of worry about what this winter will bring if the situation in the Arabian Peninsula worsens, the US/Israel war with Iran drags on, and Russia’s war on Ukraine goes unresolved into its fifth winter.
Against such a background, concentrating on the deliverables seems entirely understandable.
