Ireland’s Eye - a round of top Irish news stories

A sampling of news from around Ireland

Clare Praises Obama

The victory of President Obama last week was welcomed in Clare.  The county’s mayor, Pat Daly, said it was the right result for Ireland. “I think it is because he promised to come back to Ireland again during his next term and hopefully he’ll use Shannon Airport and come to Clare,” Daly said.

He felt a Mitt Romney victory may have been bad for Ireland and noted that Obama is close to the Clintons, who have very strong ties to Ireland.

“If Romney had won, it might have posed threats to the advantage given by our corporate tax, there was a possibility of that,” Daly said.

“There are so many Irish people out there, I know several people who canvassed for Obama in New York. I think it’s a good thing for Ireland, particularly with the connection with the Clinton family because they have pushed for Ireland for many years.”

Fine Gael TD (member of Parliament) Pat Breen is one of a small band of Clare people to have met President Obama, and he also welcomed the outcome.

“At a critical time in the global economy, I welcome the certainty of the result, with the president winning both the electoral and popular vote. This conclusive victory gives President Obama a strong mandate to address the immense challenges he faces at home and abroad,” he said.

“President Obama has shown himself to be a friend of Ireland, stating during his visit here last year that this country inspires the biggest things and that Ireland punches above its weight.”

Breen said the Irish government would look to deepen Ireland’s ties with the U.S. “The Irish government will work closely with the new Congress across a wide range of issues, including the problem of undocumented Irish in the United States,” Breen said.

“There are strong economic and cultural links between the U.S. and the midwest region. Shannon Airport serves as a gateway between our countries.

“The decision by U.S. Airways and United Airlines to add routes from Philadelphia and Chicago to Shannon will enhance tourism and business ahead of The Gathering next year.

-The Clare Champion

Rock Bottom Prices

A Ballyclare bungalow worth 50 percent of its price four or five years ago failed to find a buyer at a property auction.

Underling the precipitous nature of the housing market and the lack of purchasing confidence from house buyers, the furnished two bed bungalow at 8 Abercorn Drive remains available despite going at a guide price of £75,000, down from approximately £150,000 in 2007.

The auction, held at the Balmoral Hotel in Belfast and organized by BRG Gibson Auctions, did not attract a buyer for the property despite hundreds of bargain hunters from across Northern Ireland attending.

Among the properties also unable to find a purchaser were two in Newtownabbey -- a three story terraced house on Glenview Park available for £115,000 and a three bed townhouse on Edenmore Court also priced £115,000.

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Nster.com