Class of '05 Concludes the Year With the Taoiseach, U2, and Senator Mitchell

Intertrade Ireland Sponsors Belfast Reception

July 10, 2005

In June, Irish Senator Mary Henry, a long-time supporter of the Mitchell Scholarship program, arranged a tour of Leinster House (the seat of the Irish Parliament) for the Mitchell Scholars where they had the chance to watch the Dail debate on a bill regarding police reform.

The Mitchells then traveled to Farmleigh House where they had tea with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern. The Taoiseach talked with the Scholars about a range of issues, including their year in Ireland, the upcoming U2 concert, the EU referendum, and the debate the Scholars had witnessed in the Dail earlier in the day.

That evening, they were guests of Alastair McGuckian at the 'Ha'penny Bridge' his musical production performed at the Point Theater in Dublin. The following day, the Scholars were the guests of the Chester Beatty Library where they visited the outstanding collection of Asian art. Ireland's Electric Supply Board welcomed the Scholars to their plant on Turlough Hill in County Wicklow, a fascinating engineering feat in electricity generation. On Saturday, thanks to the generosity of U2 manger and Alliance board member, Paul McGuinness, the Scholars were guests at U2's Dublin concert. Understandably, the highlight of their year!

A week later, the class headed to Derry for a trip across Northern Ireland that would culminate in the presentation of their class rings by Senator George Mitchell at the Linen Hall Library.

The Fourth of July was spent in Derry/Londonderry as guests of hospitable Ulster University. The scholars were treated to a visit of megalithic fort, a walking tour of Derry, a meeting with the Mayor, a visit to UU's Magee campus and a dinner in their honor celebrating the Fourth of July and Mitchell Scholar Brandon Thibodeaux's birthday.

The Hastings Hotels generously supported the Mitchells' final days in Northern Ireland by lodging them at their properties - the Everglades in Derry, and the Ballygally Castle on the beautiful Antrim coast. As part of their travels, the Scholars visited Dunluce Castle, the Giants Causeway, Bushmills, and the Carrick-a -Rede Rope Bridge.

Upon arriving in Belfast, they were given a tour of Bombardier's airplane manufacturing plant - a regular visit for past Scholars, which they greatly enjoy.

The week's events ended with a reception at Belfast's Linen Hall Library, which was sponsored by InterTrade Ireland, one of the cross-border bodies set up under the Belfast Agreement to provide business solutions that enhance company competitiveness through collaborative all-island initiatives. US-Ireland Alliance President Trina Vargo introduced Barry Fitzsimons, Vice Chairman of InterTrade. Barry introduced Senator Mitchell who addressed the distinguished guests from Northern Ireland and presented the Scholars with their class rings.

Northern Ireland businessman Terry Cross, owner of French Chateau de la Ligne provided the wine for the evening as well as dinner for the Scholars and Bernard Walsh's company Hot Irishman provided the Irish coffees. The rings given to the Scholars are specially designed for them and are a gift from Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, a sponsor of the Mitchell Scholarship program.

The final gathering for the Scholars was at a small dinner that included Terry Cross; Sir George Quigley, Chairman of Bombardier, Lady Quigley; UU professor and author Paul Arthur; Ken Bell, the Pro Vice Chancellor of Queen's; venture capitalist Gerry McCrory; Brian Barrington, an aide to the Leader of the SDLP and Suzanne Doran of InterTrade Ireland.