IRISH Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Collins was accorded a major honor by the White House when he and his wife Marie were guests of honor at a welcoming dinner at Blair House, opposite the White House, where visiting world leaders often stay. The evening was hosted by Nancy Brinker, chief of protocol at the White House. Guests included Ambassador John Negroponte, now deputy secretary of state; Ed Gillespie, counselor to President George W. Bush, and Paula Dobriansky, U.S. special envoy to Ireland.Leaders of the Irish American community were also there, including Loretta Brennan Glucksman, chairman of the American Ireland Fund; Jean Kennedy Smith, former U.S. ambassador to Ireland; William J. Flynn, chairman emeritus of Mutual of America, and philanthropists Brian and Eileen Burns.The evening was arranged in part by the Burns family as well as Irish America magazine.Ireland was the first country chosen to be part of a new series of dinners at the historic Blair House, and Collins stated that he was deeply honored by the invitation. He pointed out that relations between the two countries were never closer, and that he was looking forward to furthering them during his time as ambassador here.Negroponte stated that he had worked closely with Ireland when he was the U.S. ambassador to the UN and Ireland was then on the Security Council. He praised the links between the two countries and stated ties had never been stronger.