Last Thursday was just another day to most Irish folks, but to anyone with the slightest excuse to claim an American connection, it was a day of celebration. "For us, Thanksgiving ranks right up there with Christmas", said Geri Critchley, director of the Irish American Partnership, who hosted a bash at Heritage House on Thursday evening. The guest-list included John McGilligan, the chairman of the Irish board of the non-profit organisation, vice-chairman Liam Connellan, Matt McNulty of Bord Failte, Niall Power Smith and Padraic White.
Geri Critchley, whose four-month stint as temporary director ends just in time for her to return to Washington DC for Christmas, is staying in Monkstown, Co Dublin, with her daughter Hiliary and her son Audrius, who got the day off from school at St Andrew's.
At the reception just wine and hors d'oeuvres were served, as most of the company were saving themselves for the time-honoured pilgrimish victuals of stuffed turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, mince pies and pumpkin pie. Some of these were to be had later on in Jury's Hotel at the annual Thanksgiving dinner of the Ireland America Society - of which US ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith is a sponsor. The ambassador herself was at home with her family and a few friends, having a well-deserved, private dinner. The previous day she had gathered around her 150 American students from 12 universities in Ireland and had served a Thanksgiving lunch with all the traditional trappings.