The Mayor of Baltimore (Maryland), Martin O'Malley, who has his own Celtic rock group, is giving a reception on Monday for a large Irish delegation which includes two Ministers, no less, Mary O'Rourke and Sile de Valera. The group is on a jolly to mark the inaugural Aer Lingus direct flight, Ireland-Baltimore. The surprising thing is the service doesn't start until autumn. Monday's shindig takes place in the famous Walters Art Gallery, where O'Malley recently welcomed the President, Mrs McAleese. The Irish Ambassador, Sean O hUiginn, is giving them all lunch next day.
The service will benefit people living in the Washington area who previously had to come to Ireland via New York or London, and of course our own politicos who are back and forth from the White House a great deal.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (daughter of Ethel and the late Bobby), who lobbied hard for the service to be approved, will be part of the welcoming ceremonies. Lieut Governor of Maryland, she is still being mentioned as having a bright political future and even as a possible Al Gore running mate.
While all this is going on there is a round of farewell parties for the highly regarded embassy press officer, Adrian O'Neill, and his wife Aisling. O'Neill will be succeeded by Patrick Kelly from Iveagh House.
Quidnunc is at rholohan@irish-times.ie