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Ireland Prime Minister Brian Cowen to stress importance of Irish America on U.S. trip

By
DONAL THORNTON,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, March 12, 2010, 7:29 AM
Updated Friday, March 12, 2010, 8:15 AM

 

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Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen had stern words for Greece.
Brian Cowen

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen will begin his official St Patrick's Day visit to the U.S. today with a visit to Chicago.

Speaking to the Irish Times Cowen said "I'm very conscious of the fact, that, it's a great day for Ireland, having such access to the biggest powers in the land both in terms of the executive through the presidency and the vice-presidency and obviously on the Hill as well."

Although Cowen is meeting America’s key political figures, an important aspect of his visit is to pay homage to Irish America.

Cowen feels "there is a strong sense of kinship" amongst Irish Americans.

Cowen notes that Irish America encouraged Clinton's government to get involved in the Northern Irish peace process.

Irish America also exercised its business influence by attracting billions of dollars of foreign investment to Ireland.

Cowen said that St Patrick's Day for Irish Americans is a lot more than "some sort of sentimentality."

"We've seen, through the peace process, through the political contacts we've had with them, the economic dividend we've drawn from America, the terms of, not just foreign direct investment but how Irish business is internationalized in America."

Now, he says, there is a "growing, mutually beneficial trade relationship as well as being a strong political linkage" between the U.S. and Ireland.

Cowen will attend the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade this weekend before flying to Silicon Valley and then on to Washington, where he will present a bowl of Shamrocks to President Obama on St, Patrick’s Day.

Cowen reiterated that President Obama would be always welcome to visit the land of his ancestor Fulmoth Kearney.

"He knows there's an open invitation there for him, I don't think it's necessary to continually refer to that. He's aware obviously of his Irish heritage and whilst it's some way back in his family history, he is conscious of it and he's aware of it and asks about it.

"We'd love to see him come but that's a matter for himself because he has a lot of things on his plate at the moment."

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9 Comments

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Posted by hyattsville on Mar 14, 2010, 11:17 AM EDT
How many Government Ministers are actually in Ireland this week? I heard only one, and can't think of any other Country's celebration that calls for the mass exodus of it's leadership to cities all over the globe. I don't really get it.
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Posted by kickstar on Mar 13, 2010, 07:41 PM EST
I would like to ask Brian Why does a country keep an Anthem that it is Ashamed to play at an International Rugby Match???????
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Posted by irishwxman on Mar 13, 2010, 12:03 AM EST
An intelligent and gracious? Again, in what capacity? I get so sick of hearing people say Obama is too smart to be president. If so, then why is the world is he forcing his agenda on the American people who do not want it? If he is so smart, then why is his approval rating dropping faster than a cinder block in a swimming pool? Yeah, ask Queen Elizabeth how "gracious" he is. LOL!!!!
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Posted by hyattsville on Mar 12, 2010, 09:39 PM EST
At least Obama is an intellegent and gracious host. I used to cringe at the photos of Dubya accepting his bowl of shamrocks from Irish leadership with that smirk of his, it always felt that he thought it all a great laugh. It was then that I really wished they all stayed at home and celebrated with their own constituents.
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Posted by irishwxman on Mar 12, 2010, 09:10 PM EST
Obama is a great man? In what capacity? It is a great time for the Irish. that is why Obama should get off his high horse and take his sorry butt to Ireland and collect his shamrocks instead of Cowen grovelling to that moron.
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Posted by buffaloirishman on Mar 12, 2010, 07:23 PM EST
This is a great time for the Irish. It's a pleasure to welcome Irish leaders to our country. President Obama is a great man. I am proud to share Irish heritage with him.
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Posted by jimmy12003 on Mar 12, 2010, 05:24 PM EST
that useless cu-nt should march with his people in a parade in ireland on paddys day, not pi-ssing around where he's not wanted!
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Posted by irishwxman on Mar 12, 2010, 04:58 PM EST
I have always thought it was such horse squeeze that the Taoiseach comes to America on an IRISH holiday, to present our LOSER president a bowl of shamrocks. Obama could care less. Cowen should stay home with his people and celebrate on the Emerald Isle. If Obama wants shamrocks he can fly his butt to Ireland and collect them. Ireland should never present gifts on a holiday that celebrates the Irish.
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Posted by Madeleine on Mar 12, 2010, 08:37 AM EST
LIke he really thinks or cares about it, he never ever mentioned it here in America. He does think about his muslim heritage though
 


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