New US ambassador to Ireland impressed with Kilkenny during visit
United States Ambassador to Ireland, Daniel M. Rooney, accompanied by his wife Patricia, makes a presentation to Dean Norman Lynas to mark his visit to the tomb of Bishop John Kearney an ancestor of President Barack Obama. Photo: Pat Moore.
By Kate O’neill
Last Wednesday, the American ambassador to Ireland, Daniel Rooney, and his wife Patricia, paid a special visit to Kilkenny where they were welcomed by Mayor Malcolm Noonan, members of the borough council and Kilkenny County Council chairman, Michael O’Brien at City Hall.
Speaking to the party, the ambassador said that it was a real pleasure to be in Kilkenny .
“I came here 35 years ago and the city is even more vibrant now than before.” The ambassador who previously owned the Pittsburgh Steelers American Football league continued saying “the hurling team of this county is really great, you win everything, but like the Pittsburgh Steelers, the sports personalities are really involved in the community. The sports stars here are also ambassadors, ambassadors of this great city.”
In his welcome to the ambassador, Mayor Malcolm Noonan commended the ambassador for his work with The Ireland Fund of which he was a founder. He said that US president had made the right decision in choosing Mr Rooney as ambassador to Ireland.
“it was an inspired choice by an inspiring man,” he added.
The mayor also spoke about President Obama’s links with Kilkenny.
“We in Kilkenny are very fortunate to have an important connection to the President who is supported by the people here in his efforts to bring about greater harmony within the world.”
In response, the ambassador said, “I am pleased that you mentioned the President who is a bright and enthusiastic man. He is to be commended on doing a great job. It is up to those in power in America to realise that the Irish and other smaller economies have a huge affect on the state of the world economy and try to do everything possible to help.”
The ambassador finished by saying “ It is a pleasure to be here again and I really do hope I can return again soon.”
Ambassador Rooney was co-founder of the Ireland fund, later the American Ireland Fund, which was instrumental in the peace process. The organisation did a lot of work in Ireland among the people and also in raising millions to help the process as well as education in Ireland. He was also the owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers Football team and is enshrined in the PRO football Hall of Fame.
After the meeting in City Hall, the Ambassador and his wife Patricia, from Mayo, went on to visit St Canice’s Cathedral and to visit the tomb of John Kearney, an ancestor of Barack Obama. He then went on a tour of Kilkenny Castle and finished the evening in the Parade Tower.
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