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Letter To Cobh Edition – Why no protest at the decision of council?

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Now that the Queen’s and President Obama’s visits to Ireland are past, it is a good time to reflect on the impact locally. Undoubtedly there is an increased feeling of well being, even if it is only “Maybe We Can” perhaps not quite the  more definite “Is Feidir Linn” proclaimed by President Obama.

I cannot help wondering though why the town of Cobh did not extend an invitation to the queen to visit? After all, the Queen’s ancestor visited here and indeed the town was called after her. Of course it should have been an obvious place to visit and what a unique opportunity! To showcase the town and harbour on a world stage and how much more historically relevant it is than the undoubtedly wonderful English Market? Cobh  is the town that founded the Water Club of Cork Harbour in 1720, was the kicking off port for the story of emigration, the Annie Moore story, the Titanic and Luisitania connections just to mention a few.

A local councillors reply to my genuine puzzlement as to why the town council could not invite the queen was “you can invite her!”. An attempt at humour and an evasion of the question.

A common quote I hear regarding the workings of the council is that they have no budgetary control and hence no power. I beg to differ. They had immense power on this occasion. It would have cost nothing to extend an invitation, yet it would have opened a floodgate of benefits had the invitation been accepted. Even had the invitation not been accepted( though I believe it would) the message sent by issuing that invitation would be clear. “We are a welcoming community, respectful of the past, proud of our heritage, but working in the present to secure the future for our children and grandchildren.”

Another question comes to mind, why are the silent majority so silent? Why no protest at the decision of our council? I look with admiration and respect at the voluntary work being done on behalf of the community by so many people in Cobh, the tidy towns in particular, painting, cleaning and renovating to attract visitors, boost tourism, to create employment, to improve our quality of life. I cannot believe that the majority supported the blocking of this invitation.  Perhaps I am wrong.

Jim O’Meara – Whitepoint

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