MINISTER FOR Tourism Leo Varadkar and entertainer Michael Flatley, former star of Riverdance, made for an unlikely double act yesterday as both men opened Ireland's latest tourist attraction.
A newly built visitors’ centre has opened on the quayside in New Ross, Co Wexford, beside the replica Famine ship, Dunbrody .
The €2.6 million facility provides visitors with audio and visual displays to “interpret” the experience of 19th century emigrants about to set sail for America during the 1840s.
Mr Varadkar's visit to the "sunny southeast" was marred by a series of July downpours. However, the mood was austerity-defyingly upbeat as 400 guests were served refreshments and trays of patisseries in a red-carpeted marquee, while a folk group sang Come Down From the Mountains Katie Daly.
Locals reacted favourably to the distinguished guest of honour. Comments included: “He’s very nice”; “He’s chatting to people”; and “He’s a bit arrogant but isn’t he very talented?”
All eyes were on “Lord of the Dance” Michael Flatley whose mother emigrated to Chicago from the nearby village of St Mullins, Co Carlow.
The new centre is on the site from which President John F Kennedy’s ancestor – and thousands of other people – emigrated from the southeast.
In an emotional speech, Mr Flatley said: “I’m reminded of all the tears that were shed in this spot, how many mothers cried here.”
Addressing his mother Eilish, who was in the audience, he said: “Mam, I’d be nothing without you; I’m so proud to be your son.”
After no fewer than eight speeches by dignitaries and the unveiling of a plaque, the Minister sheltered under a large umbrella to cut the ribbon and then joined the first organised tour of Ireland’s “National Centre for Emigration History”.
Mr Varadkar watched a video of ragged, impoverished, hungry Irish people preparing to emigrate to “a brighter future”.
Like all participants, he was handed a copy of an original boarding card for a one-way voyage to New York.
He drew the “three pounds and 10 shillings” ticket of a poor girl named “Biddy Keogh” and was directed below-deck to experience how those in steerage fared.
Actors dressed in period costume performed a short pageant illustrating the misery of the emigrant experience.
A woman wearing a shawl keened: “What’s going to become of us, God only knows.” Michael St James Flatley (4) sat on his father’s knee and seemed spellbound by the performance.
The centre also features the Irish America Hall of Fame – developed in collaboration with Niall O'Dowd and Patricia Harty of Irish America Magazine– which "honours the lives, works and achievements" of the diaspora in the United States.
The exhibition features Henry Ford, the Kennedy family, Grace Kelly and others whose links are less well-known. The Minister wasn't the only visitor surprised by a large photo of Walt Disney and a caption explaining his family had emigrated from Kilkenny. And a garda on duty actually blessed himself when told by The Irish Timesthat Sarah Palin has Roscommon roots.