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| Irish Americans need to reflect on their roots and their actions on St. Patrick's Day |
This is the time in March when many of the 35 million Irish Americans don the dollop of green paint and go in search of a parade, a concert or a pub to celebrate their heritage.
The vast majority disappear back into the mist once the special day has passed.
More and more we in Irish America need to question what St Patrick’s Day is all about. It is time for us to do more than the shamrock trot.
The most modern and meaningful arc between America and Ireland today is not the annual St Patrick’s Day parade and its hoopla but Irish Americans reaching out a helping hand to Ireland.
Irish-American soft power has always been enormously important to Ireland. Back in the 1920s and up to the 1960s, emigrant remittances from America kept many thousands of households alive and paid for generations to be educated. The access to America and its jobs was vital for emigrants.
American tourism to Ireland keeps hospitality businesses in many towns and villages alive. American businesses are at the heart of the Irish economy, employing well over 100,000 people.
The end of large-scale Irish immigration to America following the 1965 Immigration Act here brought an end to an era. America is closed off for new Irish emigrants, barring comprehensive immigration reform. Achieving immigration reform and allowing Irish to emigrate legally would be a massive boost if Irish America could help achieve it.
Immigration reform
We need to be far more proactive on immigration reform by recognising the importance of a future flow of Irish to America. It is no secret that Republicans for a variety of reasons will listen to Irish far more than other groups.
That help can be as simple as an organised call to Congress in a day of action, organising a local Irish lobby group or joining with Hispanic heritage organisations to push for fairer immigration laws.
There are many examples of Irish Americans who have not forgotten their hardscrabble heritage or lost the will to help.
More than 1,000 Irish construction workers, Irish and American, fanned all across the Rockaway neighbourhoods in New York from the African-American to Irish enclaves during two recent Irish “days of action” there after Hurricane Sandy.
It was an example of Irish American power at its best and Taoiseach Enda Kenny has recognised it by committing funding to areas and congratulating those who took part.
Most of what Irish Americans must achieve in Ireland will be on a voluntary basis by giving philanthropic support.
This is where Irish America comes in, with its soft power and its traditional role of helping Ireland.
Irish American Chuck Feeney through his Atlantic Philanthropies has transformed third-level education in Ireland as well as funding numerous deserving charities to the tune of over $1.5 billion.
The American-Ireland Fund is one of the largest sources of private support in Ireland. Its hugely successful “Promising Ireland” campaign will likely surpass $150 million by the year’s end.
In recent years, under chairman Loretta Brennan Glucksman and chief executive Kieran McLaughlin, it has developed a tremendous young leaders’ subset and taken on many of the toughest issues in Irish life. It is inspired and driven by the great American tradition of philanthropy, one of this country’s greatest exports and instruments of soft power.
Next generation
Actively seeking the next generation of Chuck Feeneys and major donors to Irish American groups like the American-Ireland Fund should become a top priority of Ireland and Irish America.
The end of the Troubles has given the next generation of Irish America the permission to become fully involved in Ireland in a way their parents often hesitated to.
Now is the time to ask them to step up to the plate after the St Patrick’s brouhaha has faded. “Giving while living” is the Chuck Feeney mantra adopted by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett among others.
Other Irish Americans can do that too for Ireland’s sake. What is needed is leadership, drive and year-round interest.
45 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Seanmor | Mar 22, 2013, 10:22 PM EDT
Irishcop: I don't have any idea about the number who came her from Ireland in the '80s, but I do know that 6 young undocumemted Irish ladies were arrested by the Border Patrol as they were returning from Canada a fow months after 9/11. These 6 were part of a cámogie team(a game like hockey) who had gone from Chicago to Canada to play a match, and while crossing the border back into the U.S. they were arrested because their visitors' visas had expred. The 6 weere escorted to Logan Air Port and deported. The Border Patrol agents proudly boasted that they had "struck a blow" in defence of the homeland. I also served the homeland by serving 4 years in the Marine Corps (as an Irish citizen. Throughout the '90s millions ILLEGALLY entered by our southern border - and very few were deported.
irishcop025 | Mar 22, 2013, 05:28 PM EDT
I have a valid question for Mr. O'Dowd. Niall, when the Irish came here in the hundreds of thousands in the 1980's was it not with the help of Irish-Americans that they were helped to attain Green Cards? What happened to all of those Green card holders? We all know the answer. They went home and many now would like to come back. Of those who actually did stay Niall, how many became US Citizens? Answer that Niall! You don't have the guts too!
Seanmor | Mar 20, 2013, 10:44 PM EDT
StevenS: You state (18 March, 0847) that the population of Ireland is 4.5 million - the same as North London. By "ireland" you obviously mean the part of my homeland that was formerly known as the Irish Free State. The fact is that there are another 1.8 residents in the corner of Ireland north of the artificial Partition. A few years ago I made a trip to that part of Ireland, acvcompanied by my wife who is a New England Methodist and has family links near Belfast.area. We visited one of those relatives who is a member of the Church of Ireland, the only denominatiobn that takes its name from the country, not the North or the South but from Ireland.
curtisjohnson | Mar 20, 2013, 10:08 PM EDT
No one whines hypocritically like the british about the IRA and other insurgencies which were the result of their global nation mugging. I imagine nutzi types like you whine about the way your supremacist bretheren were treated in Zimbabwe and South Africa. It appears you're still too thick to understand that Irish immigration was permitted solely because the labor was needed during industrialization and development of the frontier. Thankfully, the people who rule britain (a class far above you judging by your literacy level) are gradually replacing you with cheap third world labor.
Smyrnian | Mar 20, 2013, 06:03 PM EDT
I have it on very good account, witnesses and all, that it is STEVENSTAR in the photo above at the Jacksonville, Florida St. Patrick's day parade!
89west | Mar 20, 2013, 02:57 PM EDT
Wee Willy, if one can believe you are a far down, then it is no wonder you are confused. Yanking your chain has nothing whatsoever to do with starching the sheets. The star of Munster is on a very short halter and once you yank his chain (halter) you can get him to bray like a donkey for however long you want. Now go splatter holy water on yourself!
Willie Frazer | Mar 20, 2013, 10:34 AM EDT
89WEST, that is not a good word ye are using ,that yanking word.The leader af our presbyterian church,big Ian used tae to do a lot af that when he was a cub, and his mother was steady slapping his ears af, sure she had tae wash the sheets every day,after him
Willie Frazer | Mar 20, 2013, 10:26 AM EDT
STEVENSTAR lad ye are very insulting, and a wus one of the ones that wus nice to ye on here.Now all a hiv a mind to do is bate the two big ears off you, you sinful serpent.You are a servant of lucifer, you big eared monkey, you need to repent lad, and in tae the bargain I AM NOT AN AMERICAN,your trying tae get me moved fae my BELOVED ULSTER, you also compared me tae a MONGROLOIAN,I am no dog either, big ears.REPENT YOU SINNER
89west | Mar 19, 2013, 09:54 PM EDT
025.....it is more about yanking their chain then any concern about the fitness to govern themselves. I'm sure the YPD have tuned many of them up. It goes without saying there is no love loss between the donkey and the narrow back. They both need to be pitied.
STEVENSTAR | Mar 19, 2013, 09:31 PM EDT
AND IF PEOPLE THINK ANGLO NORMAN IS MAD HAVE A LOOK A Willie Frazer | Mar 19, 2013, 04:48 AND HIS COMMENT BELOW...TALKING TO ME IN A PRETEND IRISH ACCENT AS IF HIS AUDITIONING FOR A PLACE IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE.. PRETENDING TO BE A DRUNK IRISH MAN.. AND THINKS ILL BE OFFENDED? NOT AT ALL HAHA!! ALL I THINK IS IF I ONLY HAD A PHONE NUMBER AND AN ADDRESS FOR TO SEND ROUND A DOCTOR TO HELP THIS POOR INSANE AMERICAN MAN, THEN I COULD HELP BUT UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT HELP HIM.. NOW WHERES GREAT AUNTY MARY ANN WHO IMMIGRATED FROM WEST MAYO IN IRELAND A 186 YEARS AGO... WHEN U NEED HER???? HEY !! haha!!
anglo-norman | Mar 19, 2013, 08:42 PM EDT
curtisjohnson- Don't be ungrateful son...
curtisjohnson | Mar 19, 2013, 08:36 PM EDT
anglo-nutzi - "God Bless America...gave Irish people a second chance & still does." Haven't we been over this or are you still too thick to get it?
irishcop025 | Mar 19, 2013, 07:36 PM EDT
Why should Irish-Americans be so obsessed with problems in Ireland when most of the Irish people can't stand them? Irish-Americans are detested by Irish people. If you are American and you go into some of the bars on McLean Ave. you better not go alone and it would be advisable to be a good runner because you will get you ass kicked! That's a fact, and O'Dowd knows it himself!
Willie Frazer | Mar 19, 2013, 04:48 PM EDT
The lord bless us and save his STEVEN, BUT you would not wish that on yer own people,falling down drunk.Now in all fairness a had a couple myself ,jist tae drown the shamrock ye know, and us free presbyterians are not supposed to touch the stuff at all, but falling down drunk is not acceptable STEVEN.A wus home about quarter past seven, a got Bert Finlays taxi tae drap me off at the door, a wus a wee bit wobly but a did not go to the ground now.
STEVENSTAR | Mar 19, 2013, 09:08 AM EDT
@@89west | Mar 18, 2013, 08:26 PM EDT >>>>>WELL MATE ID RATHER SEE MY FELLOW IRISH COUNTRY MEN FALLING DOWN DRUNK... RATHER THEN THEM GOING INTO SCHOOLS, CINEMAS AND SHOPPING CENTERS SHOOOTING INNOCENT MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN !!!
89west | Mar 18, 2013, 09:45 PM EDT
Star of Munster where have you been? all of Auntie Mary's kin are entitled to Irish citizenship and can avail themselves of the same opportunities as the Irish native born. The nerve of them! I guess all the blood, gore and killings went on, unbeknownst to you for the past several decades in the land of saints and scholars. It is farcical to hear the Irish who claimed to have lived under the tyranny of johnny bull for so long; readily, embrace another master with a bigger stick and is sure to play out as a more villainous taskmaster. Your friends in the EU have already cast you into debtors prison in perpetuity. People like you are world class consummate victims. Stop walking behind the donkey!
anglo-norman | Mar 18, 2013, 08:53 PM EDT
God Bless America...gave Irish people a second chance & still does.
STEVENSTAR | Mar 18, 2013, 08:47 PM EDT
MOST AMERICANS ARE SOO IGNORANT THAT THEY DONT REALISE IRELAND IS ONLY A SMALL COUNTRY WITH 4.5 MILLION CITIZENS THE SIZE OF NORTH LONDON ... THEY WAY THEY GO ON YOU'D THINK WE WERE THE SIZE OF CHINA ... WE HAVE NO ISSUES WITH AMERICAN IMMIGRATION AND THANKS TO NEW EU LAWS AMERICANS INCLUDING IRISH AMERICANS CAN ONLY COME IN HERE ON A 90 DAY HOLIDAY VISA AND GO HOME AGAIN ...!! LONG LIVE THE EU I SAY !!!
STEVENSTAR | Mar 18, 2013, 08:42 PM EDT
@@89west | Mar 18, 2013, 08:26 PM EDT >>>>>WELL MATE ID RATHER SEE MY FELLOW IRISH COUNTRY MEN FALLING DOWN DRUNK... RATHER THEN THEM GOING INTO SCHOOLS, CINEMAS AND SHOPPING CENTERS SHOOOTING INNOCENT MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN !!! FOCUS MAN FOCUA !!!
89west | Mar 18, 2013, 08:26 PM EDT
......star of munster, crawl out from under the monsignor's cassock and read what was said. Your minions were over here selling the blarney about a welcome home. Most already know that falling down dead drunk is a mark of passage into your culture. You have a language, nobody uses, land that is never tilled, you can't even sow potatoes and worst of all you cut your young loose without without a pot to piss in nor a window to throw it out of. It must gall you to know, that Auntie Mary's who left 180 years ago can still pass on Irish citizenship to those who call her granny.
Mairin67 | Mar 18, 2013, 06:34 PM EDT
Yup, enough of the once -a -year "Irish" and everything green nonsense. If you claim Irish heritage then get involved!!
staker42 | Mar 18, 2013, 06:29 AM EDT
America has no obligation to help the Irish. The only basis for changes to immigration policy is what is in the best interests of America. If the Irish are so great then they should be put to work saving Ireland not trying to change the immigration the immigration laws of the US.
STEVENSTAR | Mar 17, 2013, 09:58 PM EDT
@anglo-norman | Mar 17, 2013, 07:13 PM EDT>>>>> RUMOUR HAS IT, THATS YOU AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE PARADING AROUND IN THAT SILLY LEPRAUCHAUN OUTFIT AND GREEN HAT ?? WELL WELL WHO'D HAVE THOUGHT BUT THANK YOU FOR THE BEST LAUGH IVE HAD ALL DAY.. ITS ACTUALLY A BIG IMPROVEMENT THEN YOUR NORMAL EVERY DRESS SENSE !!
STEVENSTAR | Mar 17, 2013, 09:54 PM EDT
@@@@89west | Mar 17, 2013, 08:52 AM EDT......AND YOU GOD LOVE YOU JUST BECAUSE YOUR GREAT AUNTY MARY'S SISTERS MOTHER IN LAW LEFT IRELAND 186 YEARS AGO TO GET A JOB IN IRELAND GOING AROUND CALLING YOURSELF IRISH AMERICAN ... YOUR THE ON I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR MATE :) I MEAN REALLY IS YOUR OWN CULTURE REALLY THAT BAD... THAT YOU HAVE TO GO AND TRY AND STEAL OURS HAHA!!! BE HAPPY TO BE AMERICAN MATE AND COP YOURSELF ON.. PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD ARE ONLY LAUGHING AT YOU...
curtisjohnson | Mar 17, 2013, 08:48 PM EDT
anglo-nutzi - " America owes Ireland nothing...America opened her arms to Irish people and gave them a second chance in life." I wouldn't expect you to be able to wrap your tiny brain around the obvious concept that they were let in for their cheap labor during a period of rapid industrialization and a still developing western frontier.
anglo-norman | Mar 17, 2013, 07:13 PM EDT
America owes Ireland nothing...America opened her arms to Irish people and gave them a second chance in life. Irish-Americans are American first. Mr o'Dowd you should know better son...
Seanmor | Mar 17, 2013, 05:01 PM EDT
The artcle states: "It is no secret that Republicans for a variety of reasons will listen to Irish far more that to othert groups". In my case as well as that of my fellow veterans who HOBNORABLY served in the U.S. military as Irish citizens, Republicans should be more likely to pay us mare attention than they would to those who entered the U.S. ILLEGALLY, speak very little English, are unfit for military seservice and show no inclination to assimilate.
Curitiba | Mar 17, 2013, 12:07 PM EDT
In addition, I don't think that Irish "soft power" is very influential outside the Irish community. Soft power is all about projecting influence through propaganda and I don't see that exerting influence on your own community is going to take us very far. Many countries use the soft power of the media to project the opinion of one group onto a lot of other groups. For instance, South Korea churns out endless dramas, K-pop music and films which are very popular across Asia and are vital in imposing the Korean point of view in places like China and Japan. Indeed, their large manufacturing industry projects an image of quality and Korean goods are pushing Japanese goods onto the sidelines. Getting a law passed to allow Irish construction workers into America doesn't really amount to much. So what if Irish people and their descendants visit Ireland and spend a few Euros in the hospitality industry? Why are Am-Irish tycoons not backing films and TV and other such media to ensure they know all about Ireland and its power in South Korea and India? Why do Irish companies, with the backing of Am-Irish and PP tycoons not produce goods that are a must-have in Japan or Argentina? Why are ethnic Irish musicians such as Morrissey, the Gallagher brothers and Kevin Rowland not cited as examples of the excellence and influence of Irish musicians worldwide? Why have you let Britain claim them? Come on, Irish people, get your act together. We will be completely forgotten and unimportant on the world stage. Do we want to be only associated with shamrocks and black stout, or do we want people to say "oh yes, I love Irish drama and films. totally addicted to it; yes Irish computers, best in the world." Time to get with the modern world!
Curitiba | Mar 17, 2013, 11:32 AM EDT
I should say "China has been quietly colonising Africa."
Curitiba | Mar 17, 2013, 11:16 AM EDT
The world is bigger than America and seeing as the whole of the West is in terminal decline thanks to suicidal Cultural Marxist political philosophies which have been embraced by the parties we vote for, surely it is time to forget about emigrating to America, Britain, etc. Irish labour is not cheap anymore, so these places have no need of it. What countries need is brains and professions. There are countries such as China and India and South Korea which are in the ascendancy and will rule the world shortly. Irish people (Irish born, Am-Irish, PP's, Aussie Irish, etc) should be putting their heads together to work out how they can make their presence and influence felt in these places, and how they can profit from it. While lobbying has been going on to allow a few Irish construction workers into America (something the US has no need of, because they have an endless supply of cheaper Latin Americans), China has been quietly colonising and making vast sums from it and sending over a million of its people there to cement that influence. This immigration issue is an outdated issue from a previous generation. We have to ask ourselves; Is the Irish nation (and I don't mean ol' Eire, I mean the collective World Irish) best served by fighting for the right to get into America and living a very ordinary life, and making a very limited impact, or is it best served by placing large numbers of people in all countries in order to counter the growing influence of other groups and advancing the Irish nation worldwide?
89west | Mar 17, 2013, 08:52 AM EDT
......star; rats spelled backwards, your man, Kenny was in NY, yesterday, with his hat in hand, selling the old bile about calling back all the children of Eire to the land of their fathers where they will receive a welcome befitting the prodigal son. I hope you will be the first one to greet anyone gullible enough to take him up on his invitation . You my man, is what made your country what it is, keep it up and soon you will have to learn to speak Punjabi in order to buy a loaf of bread.
Willie Frazer | Mar 16, 2013, 11:50 PM EDT
evry WAN moanin about the Americans on here, an tae tell you the truth they are a wee bit different than us , LIKE the time last year and a was playin the flute and Wesley Dunlap was behind me playin the drum and there was this big man dressed in a pair of light green trousers and we thought he wus a fenian spy ye see, so Wesley and me approaches him and sure it turned out he was an American whose great grandfather was a FRee Presbyterian that emigrated from my BELOVED ULSTER.Now what man in his senses would come to wan of our parades in green trousers, yes you hiv guessed right an American, but shure he thought it was an Irish do, but our wans tould him to not worry he was safe as houses with us free presbytreians.He had a verse or two of the sash as well and he kept calling me buddy ,and sure my name is William, A was named after big King William, he owned a big white mare .
STEVENSTAR | Mar 16, 2013, 10:20 PM EDT
THE WAY THAT SOME PEOPLE GO ON ABOUT ALL THE IRISH LEAVING IRELAND??? IS A REAL JOKE.. HOW MANY OF US DO U THINK ARE LEAVING? THE ISISH POPULATION IS ONLY 4.5 MILLION IRISH IN IRELAND WHICH IS THE SIZE OF NORTH LONDON ... SO LETS NOT EXAGGERATE ALL THESE IRISH POEOPLE WHO MOVE ALL OVER THE WORLD TO CANADA UK AND AUSTRALIA.. THERE CANT BE THAT MANY NOW CAN THEY .. AND PS IRELAND IS NOT AS BAD ECONOMICALLY AS IS PRINTED HERE EVERY DAY.. UNLIKE AMERICA WHO IS IN MASSIVE RECESSION ALSO AND HAS TO PRINT MORE $$$$.. THATS NOT REALLY GOOD IN THE LONG RUN NOW IS IT !!
89west | Mar 16, 2013, 10:18 PM EDT
See for yourself; a car load of Americans will spend more than a bus load of French.
89west | Mar 16, 2013, 09:54 PM EDT
It seems the Irish government is always looking for a bailout of their disenfranchised citizens living abroad. Where is the Irish State when it comes to aiding this dispossessed generation? Not a word from Kenny or the other buffoon, Gilmore about providing essential services to those of their own, in need. There should be no artificial boundary excluding the Irish over here from all or some of the services provided to them had they stayed home. When the Irish government becomes serious about their plight, maybe then you will find a helping hand over here.
Seanmor | Mar 16, 2013, 09:34 PM EDT
STEVEN S: There is probably more than a kernel of truth in your statement, especially if you EXCLUDE from U.S. tourists those of us who emigrated from Ireland in our teens and twentys. I don't know exactly how Bord Fáilte categorize us. One thing is quite apparent: dar leo nil ionainn ach 'semtimental fools', especially if we have more than cúpla focal Gaeilge and support full sovereignty for the náisiún uile agus gach roinn de. Recent arrivals from Asia and Africa are warmly embrased as the New Irish, but those who grew up in Ireland are given the cold shoulder by the powers-that-be when we return as touris. But the ordinary Irish people are more accepting of us, agus tá meas go leor againn ar ghnáthmhuintir na hÉireann.
Smyrnian | Mar 16, 2013, 06:25 PM EDT
Stevenstar all caps who hates Americans. Easy buddy. You are going to burst a blood vessel.
Nicopernicus | Mar 16, 2013, 05:59 PM EDT
Tell ya what..why don't the Irish fix their mess., thus they would never have to leave... Its absurd that nowhere else on the planet does a group of people leave their homeland and then spend every waking day either celebrating the old sod' or lament with or without song having left it. I spend up to three months a year in Ireland and once again the brown bagger's rule the show, If the Irish ever decided to make an honest attempt at ridding the island of such pathetic corruption... no one would leave.
STEVENSTAR | Mar 16, 2013, 05:54 PM EDT
'American tourism to Ireland keeps hospitality businesses in many towns and villages alive' REALLY ? WELL THATS REALLY AROGANT TO THINK THAT WE GET 6 TIMES MORE BRITISH TOURISTS HERE AND WE ALSO GET GERMANS FRENCH, SPANISH AND ITALIAN AS WELL AS OTHER PLACES .. WE ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON AMERICAN TOURISTS... I LIVE IN A TOURIST AREA AND YOU MIGHT SEE THE ODD COACH OF AMERICANS SURE BUT WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT DEPENDENT ON THAT AND THE ARE BY NO MEANS THE LARGEST NATIONALITY OF TOURISTS HERE NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY'D LIKE TO THINK THAT THEY ARE .. SO LETS JUST BE CLEAR ON THAT AS I CANT STAND BU*****T!!
ciaradexy | Mar 16, 2013, 03:30 PM EDT
America owes Ireland nothing and Ireland owes Americans with irish passports nothing too. The only people who should get a vote here are irish emigrants NOT someone with a passport because of an Irish parent or grandparent. Those people do not live here nor are affected by anything that happens here.
Seanmor | Mar 16, 2013, 02:46 PM EDT
Pittskid: What you say is especially true of thousands who fougt in the conflich called the War of Independence, especilly if they refused to accept the Partition Treaty. Thos yon patriots who forced the English to withdraw from 5/6 of the Irish nation were treated as outcasts by the Free State authorities. The same is largely true about those of us who left in the '50s and 60's; the Southern Irish authorities called us semtimental fools and bloody iiots if showed the least support for the Nationalists in the North during the 'Troubles'. They don't was to see hide nor hair of us for the past seveal decades but now they want us to return and spend out dollars there.
butlerreport | Mar 16, 2013, 12:12 PM EDT
Let Ireland start by allowing non-resident Irish citizens/passport holders a right to vote.
Pittsburghkid | Mar 16, 2013, 11:36 AM EDT
When Reagan signed the current immigration, which granted Amnesty no one complained, and was suppose to protect the borders, no one complained. Amnesty was granted and nothing was done to protect the borders. Now the immigration law is unfair. My ancestors never returned to Ireland, because the Irish did not want them. They became American.
Rebelforce | Mar 16, 2013, 10:42 AM EDT
Where is the "helping hand" reaching out from Ireland to Irish Americans? When was the last time you saw movies or documentaries from Ireland that were designed to promote a sense of pride in Irish history and culture? All we seem to get from Ireland are self-hating Irish types of the Frank McCourt and Conor Cruise O'Brien variety and raunchy minstrel type entertainment like 'The Commitments' and 'Fr Ted'.
antoman | Mar 16, 2013, 08:52 AM EDT
A few weeks ago I gave an American, from Georgia, two pints of beer here in Cork. Simply because he was an American. I'm as poor as a church mouse at present and wouldn't normally give strangers beer but the owner of the pub had given me a free keg of beer for being windswept and interesting on the internet and what with it being an American and it impossible for me to drink a whole keg, I furnished the lad with a couple of beers. I don't recall the conversation I had with him and I suspect he doesn't recall it either. So we had a great craic. There seems to be a longstanding friendship between us Irish and Americans. Long may it continue.