This article is from page 8 of the 2008-03-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
CLARE’S politicians were more concerned with painting far-away lands saffron and blue than green this St Patrick’s Day.
Travelling between New York and Chicago, the county mayor Cllr Pa- tricia McCarthy (Ind) is highlight- ing the need for direct flights into
the west of Ireland and to forge and maintain links.
Yesterday was a sunny day in the Big Apple with a “wind chill factor” and Clare’s first citizen represented the county in the famous New York St Patrick’s Day parade.
Speaking from New York as she prepared to lead the Clare contin- gent in the 40-minute parade, she
outlined the importance of keeping a strong link with the powerful Irish diaspora. “We are here to let people in Chicago and New York know that we are committed to them and grate- ful for their support,’ she said.
Leading the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York was one of its most sen- ior policemen, Michael Collins who has Clare roots.
Cllr McCarthy also met with the New York speaker, Christina Quinn, of Kilmurry McMahon descent, who is expected to run for mayor of the city in a few years time – New York, that is, not Kilmurry McMahon.
Among the other dignitaries met by the mayor was Ed Burke, whose family comes from Labasheeda. Mr Burke is the Chicago alderman and his wife, Anne Burke, is a superior court judge.
Cllr McCarthy also visited the Clare Man’s Association in both cit- ies, aS Well as meeting with the IDA, CIE Tours and Aer Lingus North America’s Jack Foley.
During that meeting, she impressed upon him how a non-direct flight from Shannon to Chicago was be- coming an issue for tourism and business. She said that the Consul General to Chicago, Martin Ryan, also highlighted this issue.
The Consul General to New York was also supportive of any Clare de- velopments, especially as his mother is from Miltown Malbay.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley was also in New York yester- day. The Tulla man told