Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to the United States. [40953/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I visited the United States between the 17th and the 21st October 2008 and spent time in Boston, New York and Portland. During my visit I attended the following events:

I attended a meal hosted by the Consul General in Boston, which was attended by the Directors of the Irish Immigration Centre and the Irish Pastoral Centre, senior academics from University of Massachusetts, Boston College and Harvard and Irish business figures.

I attended the celebration of 100 years of the Mayo County Association in Boston. Approximately 700 people attended, including representatives from other County Associations, a high level delegation from Mayo County Council including the Cathaoirleach and the County Manager, and representatives from agencies in Mayo.

I visited Catholic Memorial High School in Roxbury, Boston, the only High School in the United States, to my knowledge, that teaches the Irish language as a subject. I met with students, staff, parents, members of the school Board, and supporters of the school.

In New York I visited an exhibition by a young Irish artist, Joseph Walsh, who was exhibiting hand turned furniture. I then attended a celebratory Mass in St. Agnes Church, where a plaque was unveiled marking the place in which Éamon de Valera was baptised. I also attended a GAA match between New York and Galway.

I also visited Portland, Maine to officially reopen the Maine Irish Heritage Centre. Among my engagements there, I met with the committee that worked to develop the Heritage Centre, and also attended a gathering of Irish speakers. I also visited the Western Cemetery Memorial to the victims of the Irish Famine.