US AMBASSADOR OPENS CYCLE ROUTE


From L-R: Jim O'Sullivan, Beara Tourism, Jim O'Keeffe, T.D., Joe Walsh, Minister for Food, Agriculture & Rural Development, Michael O'Sullivan, US Ambassador, his wife Jane, Michael Manning, Bord Failte, John Murphy, Beara Tourism, Riobard O'Dwyer, Geneologist, Eyeries, Senator Denis O'Donovan and MC Teddy Black, pictured at Cahirkeem, Urhan.

Sunday, 13th May 2001, following a very wet morning, the sun shone brilliantly on Cahirkeem, on the US Ambassador to Ireland Michael J. Sullivan and his wife Jane who performed the official opening of the Beara Way Cycling Route on the mile dedicated to his Great Grandfather, near his ancestral home, for the Beara Tourism and Development Association. A large attendance gathered to welcome the Ambassador and his wife, who addressed them saying it was a labour of love for him to be performing such a duty. He thanked the organisers for inviting him to what he felt may be his final official function as Ambassador to Ireland as his term of office finishes at the end of June. He however, pledged that on his return to the US, he would take on the role of being Beara Ambassador in the States. He also thanked Connie Murphy and Riobard O'Dwyer for tracing his roots to this very townland from where his great-grandfather emigrated to the US in the 1860's. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Mrs. Jane O'Sullivan by daughter of Jim O'Sullivan, Beara Tourism, Jane also, as it was Mother's Day in the US.

MC for the afternoon was Teddy Black, introduced all the speakers, Joe Walsh, Minister for Food, Agriculture, Jim O'Keeffe, T.D., Senator Denis O'Donovan, Michael Manning, Bord Failte and Riobard O'Dwyer who all welcomed the Ambassador and his wife, stated that it was a great day for Beara and for the Tourism Industry and praised the local group for their initiative in developing the Cycling Route.

During the ceremony, Michael J. Sullivan was asked by Oliver O'Sullivan of the O'Sullivan Clan, to present the Chain of Office of the O'Sullivan Clan Chieftain, to Michael Ed. O'Sullivan, Gour, Castletownbere. He also presented the Ambassador with a Shirt bearing the O'Sullivan Crest.

Also during the ceremony, the Ambassador, his wife, dignitaries and spectators were entertained to set dancing and flute playing performed by the children of Urhan, who also rounded off the ceremony by cycling the Michael J. Sullivan Mile following the cutting of the tape.