Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“I’ve been to Ireland 34 times,” said Rep. Peter King (R-NY) who hosted an intimate farewell party with colleague Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass) for Washington’s popular diplomatic couple – Michael and Marie Collins.
Rep. Peter King, Ambassador Michael Collins, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Marie Collins, Rep. Richard Neal
Michael Collins, The Ambassador of Ireland, presented his credentials to President George W. Bush in September of 2007 at The White House where he expressed how the people of Irish descent helped build this country and how today they provide “a living bridge” between both countries.
Along with his wife Marie, they have hosted many cultural events such as the popular St. Patrick’s Day party where you can find all of the O’Neill’s as well as other popular Washingtonians of Irish descent and Irish originals such as actor Gabriel Byrne. “Leaving Washington will be harder than leaving other posts,” said Marie, noting they have been here six years.
Marie Collins and Susan Eisenhower
Eisenhower is not an Irish name that we know of, but Susan’s daughter lives in Ireland with her Irish husband which kind of makes her ‘honorary Irish.’ Not only is she the granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, she is also an author, scholar, lecturer, policy wonk and most recently an activist over the Eisenhower Memorial Commission.
“The Eisenhower family is united in its belief that the nation and Congress must get this memorial right. The current design will be seen clearly from Capitol Hill, it will reconfigure the traffic pattern in a congested part of Washington, and it will cost far more than current estimates, since the 80-foot metal scrims will have to be replaced over time and the National Park Service will have difficulty in keeping them clean and free of debris,” she says. The battle continues.
With the Capitol serving as a party backdrop, it was not long before Congressional members engaged in party politics. Rep.Tim Murphy (R-PA) was particularily focused on the days activities especially Obamacare; minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was chatting up ‘filibuster’ and student loans with Mike McCurry, former press secretary to President Clinton who just graduated from seminary school and plans to teach; Ann Stock, who has just resigned her State Department position as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and was the former Social Secretary to the Clinton Administration was queried about joining a potential Presidential run by her former boss Hillary Clinton. “Probably,” she said, “but more as a senior advisor.”
Former Clintonites Ann Stock and Mike McCurry
The event was sponsored by Van Scoyoc Associates.
In August, Michael and Marie head to Berlin – as soon as their offspring are settled into college. Why else would they be here in August?
Hollywood on the Potomac sat down with Ambassador Collins in March to discuss ‘all things Irish’:
