President Clinton let it be known last week that he won't be visiting Ireland before Jean Kennedy Smith leaves this summer - and not because he would be afraid of losing to her at golf in Ballybunion. He said so on a specially-made video for the Fulbright fund golf dinner in the Phoenix Park last week. He was sorry he couldn't be with them at the K Club that day, but he wanted to personally thank the ambassador for revitalising the Fulbright programme which was a vital link between the two countries. It would have a lasting impact, he said, and was consistent with the commitment to peace.
The programme, under the directorship here of UCD's Prof John Kelly, offers Irish students scholarships in the US and is being expanded into a number of new disciplines including dance, art and disability. Harriet Fulbright, widow of the late Senator William Fulbright, was guest of honour at a dinner in Dublin Castle hosted by Minister for the Marine, Michael Woods and the US broadcaster, Tom Brokaw, who flew in for the Phoenix Park dinner.