A boost, economically and socially from the problems of same we are and have been plagued with.
Last year we hosted the Ajai Chopra, Dept Director of the International Monetary Fund and Jean-Claude Trichet of the European Central Bank. But this year, in the space of a week, this country is hosting the British Monarch on a full State visit, the British Prime Minister, a major world sporting event (Europa League final) and the US President. Also, Monday the Grand Princess cruise ship, with 4’000 passengers docked in Dublin port on the eve of the Queens visit.
The Queens visit is of course the pinnacle of the week’s events. News cameras of the world and especially those of Sky and BBC new are covering every inch of Queen Elizabeth’s events within the country. This is worth its weight in gold in the amount of interest this is stirring from the UK. Indeed Failte Ireland are already promoting it with a slogan I recently heard; “come to Dublin to follow the Queens steps”. Given the diplomatic and historical significance there is a key trade aspect to Queen Elizabeth’s visit. With a fifth of all UK trade and a majority of Irish trade between the two countries the links between the two nations are reinforced. It is a pity that the Monarch cannot get more face time with the crowd, but because of the tiny backward minded few this is too far a step in security terms at the current time.The cruise ship passengers have a huge benefit to the local economy in the capital. With rates an average of 3/4 thousand paid by passengers they would be eager to sample what Dublin has to offer. Indeed the cruise ship industry is worth 50 million to the Dublin economy every year. Also Cork is not left out in that regard as many vessels of equal capacity also make short visits to Cobh where Ireland’s only dedicated Cruise Port is located. And right next to a train station to make the logistics of such trips all the more convenient for exploring the Rebel City. Bus companies are too delighted with the arrival of these mega liners in times of recession as each ship might need up to 50 large buses to offload its passengers to be carried to multiple destinations.
A Portugal only Europa League final in the Aviva Stadium (renamed Dublin Arena for the game) was slightly overshadowed by the royal visitors but was another event to remember. Up to 40’000 Portuguese fans made the journey to our capital for the final. A large section of the European sports world and the Portuguese nation watched the new Aviva Stadium in all its glory as Porto and Braga battled it out. Porto defeated defending champions Braga but the real winner was of course the new stadium.
American visitors always made the effort to spend a few days on this the isle of their fore-bearers (well most of them as it seems!). But with declining visitor numbers who better to show them our a renewed Ireland then their own President Barrack Obama. The Offaly town of Moneygall will never be the same again as following Obama US tourist will flood to see the town that their President (or ancestors of his) hail from. Irish people will also get the chance to hear one of Obama’s great speeches first hand (something he is not shy of doing) when he does a Daniel O’Connell style public address at College Green. While he will be hear less than 24 hours his scheduled is tightly packed in to make full use of him while he’s here!
Now Dublin will have to share the spoils as over tomorrow Thursday and through to Monday, Tipperary, Kildare and Cork will get a slice of the fanfare that follows the Queen and President Obama.
Further Reading:
Queens Visit:
Obama's Visit:
Europa League Final:
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