As the school year progresses, we frequently hear of children trekking to Washington, our nation’s capital, for all the historic and memorial sites. But those trips seldom, if ever, include a visit to the Irish Embassy. It is probably not well known that the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, D.C., is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. Calling in advance is highly recommended.
Two Philadelphia natives, Brian Grady and Paddy O’Brien, recently visited Washington to see the Arlington National Cemetery and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., where Brian placed wreaths in Arlington at the grave of his uncle and at the memorial walls for slain Philadelphia Police Officers Daniel Faulkner, Gary Skerski, Daniel Boyle and Chuck Cassidy.
On the following day, the two set out to visit the various World, Vietnam and Korean War memorials and happened to be riding in a taxi when they passed the Irish Embassy at about 9 a.m. They asked the taxi driver to pull over so they could snap a few photos and found that the embassy was open. After sending the taxi on its way, the two went inside.
After explaining that they had traveled from Philadelphia to pay respects at the various memorials, they inquired if it was possible to take a tour. They were escorted to a waiting area where they were later greeted by Martina Monaghan, the executive officer of the embassy. Ms. Monaghan indicated that the embassy does not typically give tours unless scheduled. While chatting with the very pleasant Longford native, it was mentioned that there may be something scheduled in the afternoon and that if the Philadelphia lads left a contact number that someone would ring if an opportunity became available.
Brian Grady with Ambassador Michael Collins
To their complete surprise, about a half hour later, Ms. Monaghan phoned Brian and asked if they could return around 3 p.m. The Philly guys visited other historic sites, and upon their return in the late afternoon, they were once again overwhelmed by the hospitality and pleasantries of true Irish personalities.
Paddy O’Brien with the ambassador.
As they toured the magnificent building, they passed by an office, and were coaxed to enter and they were introduced to himself, Michael Collins, Irish ambassador to the United States. The introduction would have been enough, but the defining moment was when the ambassador asked them to have a seat. The ambassador inquired what they were doing in Washington and Brian had about a 20-minute chat describing his mission to lay wreaths at the memorials.
The ambassador was extremely cordial and discussed his experiences with the Northern Ireland Peace Accord, the disarmament of weapons, the Good Friday Agreement and other issues such as the undocumented Irish in America, the devolution of policing and justice powers, and the challenges surrounding visas.
The ambassador showed the lads a picture of himself and Dr. Ian Paisley, which the ambassador indicated he was very proud of, of them shaking hands after helping broker the renewed peace in Northern Ireland through diplomatic means. The ambassador also showed them a silhouette of Ireland cut from a single piece of metal that Paddy O’Brien correctly identified as a piece of armor plating from one of the towers dismantled in Northern Ireland. As the ambassador commented that Paddy O’Brien knew his Irish history, he presented the lads with copies of the program from Bertie Ahern’s address to the joint session of Congress.
After Paddy O’Brien commented that he had voted for Bertie Ahern when he lived in Ireland, and that Bertie Ahern was one of only a few foreign heads of state to address both the U.S. Congress and the British Parliament; the ambassador turned once again to his personal desk and said, “I am sorry that I only have one copy of this left, but I would like you to have it.” And the ambassador handed a copy of the program from when Bertie Ahern addressed the British Parliament to Paddy O’Brien. The ambassador then cordially autographed both programs. The lads snapped a few photos, shook the ambassador’s hand and went on their way, not immediately realizing that they had just met for over an hour with one of the most historic and influential peacemakers of the 21st century.
Paddy O’Brien stated later “I learned more in a half hour from the ambassador about the challenges the Irish and Irish Americans are facing today than I have learned in the last 10 years from U.S. media and local Irish groups, I am committed to helping more than ever before.”
Brian Grady said of the ambassador, “He was such a great person to speak with, and he had such a demeanor of comfort, intellect and focus about him, that you would certainly be impressed through your life that you had indeed met a great man.”
In speaking to the Irish Philadelphia staff, Paddy O’Brien said, “in respect of the ambassador’s great efforts on behalf on the Irish people and Irish Americans, I am honored to donate the two autographed programs of Bertie Ahern’s historic speeches to a local heritage historical collection which is yet to be selected. There are several Philadelphia area based historical societies, and we are evaluating and discussing with them the appropriate manner to display and preserve these two pieces of history.”
Brian Grady is a Philadelphia attorney, heavily involved with the law enforcement and Irish communities. Paddy O’Brien is an information technology project manager who is a member of several charitable groups such as the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and various Irish and Celtic Heritage organizations.
– Submitted by Paddy O’Brien
