WHEN the President, Mrs Robinson, addressed a Famine commemoration at The Gathering in Millstreet last Saturday night the word "diaspora was conspicuous by its absence from her speech. It was probably just as well. Though initial hyperbole had suggested the Millstreet hoedown would be a huge homecoming for the nation's far flung emigrant children, most of the crowd over the weekend seemed to come from a proudly sunburned populace of north Cork.
Last night's outdoor gig culminated with Messrs Morrison, McGowan and Kennedy, but the President was certainly the star turn at the indoor event on Saturday, displaying previously unsuspected showbiz savvy. If that UN job comes to nothing, she might well have other options.
President Clinton also made it onto Saturday's bill, putting in a televisual appearance to deliver a slightly sentimental speech on loss, healing and remembrance. It was supposed to be a live satellite linkup, but to my cynical eyes it seemed more like a recorded message.
We also had word from across the water, with Gabriel Byrne sonorously reciting a message of peace, love and understanding from that old hippie, Tony Blair. It sparked misty eyed scenes in the Green Glens and candles were held aloft, the Chieftains essayed meaningful laments and airs, gigantic Macnas puppets did what gigantic Macnas puppets do, and for a minute it looked like there wouldn't be a dry eye left in the house.
Sunday's gig was aimed more at the young ones, with an openair rock bash outside the Green Glens arena. It had originally been scheduled to take place in the grounds of Drishane Castle but ticket sales had been sluggish and weren't helped at all by Mr Dylan's coronary difficulties. There were about 15,000 souls present, not quite what Noel C. Duggan might have anticipated but certainly enough to make for a decent party in the sunshine.
Jo and Cat, third generation Irish all the way from Portland, Oregon, were suitably impressed by the rustic ambience of the picture postcard settings. The music with the honourable exception of the bould Allan and the riotous AfroCell sound system - erred on the side of the polite. Times have changed. Twenty years ago this month, Ireland's first outdoor rock festival took place down the road in Macroom. A legendary orgy of long hair excess, it was a time when rock'n'roll was still the preserve of lager swilling hooligans getting down in no uncertain fashion to the boogey of Rory Gallagher.
Yesterday, the oral agenda was dominated by pleasant singer songwriter stuff and sugary pop folk from the likes of The Corrs. Occasionally engaging, it never really ignited. Maybe this is what happens when you repackage culture as heritage.
The President evoked the work of playwright Tom Murphy, saying that after the silence Irish people know must look to the future".
Mrs Robinson also brought up the situation in Rwanda. "It's very important as we commemorate the Famine that we strive to make connections with developing countries today." She praised the work of the Big Issues and Gorta, the charities benefiting from the weekend's event.