Ambassador Byrne signs on as Washington DC dons the green
Taoiseach gives actor cultural role in the US
Actor Gabriel Byrne with Taoiseach Brian Cowen in Washington DC yesterday. Picture: Leslie .E. Kossof -Nordby
Wednesday March 17 2010
God be with the days when starving artists would go cap-in-hand to the Government looking for a bit of a dig-out. Now the creative boot is firmly on the other foot with the announcement yesterday that actor Gabriel Byrne has been appointed our very first cultural ambassador to the US.
Now it's the turn of the skint Government to tap into the star power of our actors and writers, and so the Taoiseach took a bit of time out from his round of meetings in Washington DC to unveil the new celebrity ambassador, His Excellency Gabriel Byrne.
The pair strolled across the hotel lawn in the warm afternoon sunshine, and Brian pronounced himself "very pleased" that the Golden Globe-winning actor had agreed to take on this new (non-paying) role.
"It'll promote the country, our culture and community and Irish arts generally," he said. He also announced that Culture Ireland will be establishing a year-long festival of Irish Art in the US in 2011.
It's doubtful that any of us actually know what we are in this post-Celtic Tiger modern world -- apart from being skint, but His Excellency has plenty of ideas on the subject.
"We need to redefine the kind of Ireland we want to present," he explained, "and then interlink that vision with the economy. It's about connecting the diaspora."
And he reckons that the artistic community can be relied upon to try and help the country out of the quicksand. "Irish artists have never let Ireland down," he said pointedly. (Brian had exited stage left by now.)
Apart from hanging out with Hollywood stars, the Taoiseach had another busy day yesterday, culminating in the gala American Ireland Fund dinner, at which the guest of honour was Hillary Clinton and -- a last-minute addition -- Bill Clinton.
In his speech, the Taoiseach paid tribute to Hillary, who was the first US secretary of state to visit Ireland when she flew in for meetings last October.
"We in Ireland have been fortunate to count her as a true friend over many years," he said. "I know that you also got some sense of the affection in which you are held in Ireland when you walked down Grafton Street and were surrounded by so many well-wishers."
But of course today is the big one for the Taoiseach, and it'll be a long day, beginning with a new event on the calendar -- he and his wife Mary will attend a St Patrick's Day breakfast at Vice-President Joe Biden's residence, before travelling to the White House for a meeting with President Barack Obama, and then onto Capitol Hill for the St Patrick's Day lunch hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
In a change to the usual practice, the handing over of the shamrock will this year take place during the evening reception hosted in the White House by Barack and Michelle Obama.
However, according to one insider, the party -- which will be attended by golfer Padraig Harrington, boxer Katie Taylor and ministers Micheal Martin and Mary Hanafin -- will be even bigger than last year's bunfight.
Earlier, Mrs Clinton insisted the US president would soon visit Ireland. Well, definitely maybe. Just as soon as he's got a few minor domestic issues out of the way, like the piffling matter of his healthcare bill.
But by way of consolation, Hillary will be in Ireland today. "I actually hope to spend about an hour in Shannon tomorrow celebrating St Patrick's Day en route to Moscow," she told the media in Washington DC yesterday. "That's our goal," she added.
"I can say without fear of contradiction that he (Obama) would love to come to Ireland," she assured the room. "It's just a question of trying to manage all of those challenges at once.
"He has a very full domestic policy agenda which he is chipping away at, and making progress on," she explained. (Boo!) "But believe me, Ireland is near the top of the list," she added. (Hurray!)
Hillary had just emerged from a bilateral meeting with Micheal Martin, as the annual St Paddy's Day beano got under way in the US capital yesterday.
On a more serious note, the ongoing issue of the 40,000 undocumented Irish was raised with Mrs Clinton, and it was her turn to be diplomatic, without offering any firm promises.
"I can only say that President Obama is committed and understands very much the importance of comprehensive immigration reform."
Oh well, the Taoiseach will just have to bend Obama's ear about it over a pint in Clara. Whenever. But maybe sooner rather than later.
- Lise Hand
Irish Independent
