Focus on Island links with Irish community

Monday 17th September 2007, 12:00AM BST.

HUNDREDS of Irish people living in Jersey turned up to greet their president, Mary McAleese, at the Town Hall on Friday night.

The visit has sparked a call to bring back the once-popular Irish Festival. Mrs McAleese said that it was an honour to be the first Irish head of state officially to visit the Island and she thanked Jersey for making the Irish feel so welcome. ‘Thank you to the people of Jersey for the hand of welcome and friendship which you have extended to the Irish who have come to make it their home,’ she told the audience. The Constable of St Helier, Simon Crowcroft, welcomed Mrs McAleese at the reception. He said: ‘It is good that the focus has been turned on the Irish community and shows a need to bring back the Irish festival, which will be a really good thing for the Irish. This visit is a catalyst for more focus on the Irish community and what they contribute to Jersey.’

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