That "other Emerald isle", the Caribbean island of Montserrat, dispatched a delegation to an Atlantic coastline some days ago to express gratitude for Irish assistance after the devastating volcanic eruption. It wiped out two-thirds of the landscape, including the island's capital. Since then the volcano has been dormant.
The delegation visited Galway to pay a special tribute to the former arts minister and Labour TD, Mr Michael D. Higgins, who made a documentary there screened on Channel 4 television some years ago and who has been instrumental in fostering a new set of relationships between the two islands. Common surnames like Lynch, Blake and Kirwan are a reminder of those bonds.
The Montserrat Oriole String Band struck up for the reception, which was attended by representatives of the Montserrat Volcano (UK) Fund, the island's chamber of commerce, tourist board and credit union.
Mr David Brandt, Montserrat Chief Minister, thanked the Irish League of Credit Unions for its "important financial contribution" to the fragile St Patrick's Credit Union on the island. He also outlined the latest stage in recovery efforts and the need for further technical and financial assistance. The volcano itself is under constant monitoring.
The visit, which was supported by CIE Tours International, with support from the Green Isle Hotel in Dublin and Clarenbridge Court Hotel in Galway, is a prelude to a global celebration of Montserrat's culture under the campaign theme of "millennium masquerades".
Also in Galway this month is a group of Welsh archaeologists, paying a return visit to the county after 65 years. The Cambrian Archaeological Association, founded in 1847, is particularly interested in matters Celtic. The party of 110 members will visit the Burren, the cathedral and high crosses in Kilfenora, Dun Aengus on Inis Mor and Tuam.
Today it will be welcomed by Ireland West Tourism at a reception in Thoor Ballylee tower house near Gort, and tonight Prof Etienne Rynne, recently retired professor of archaeology at NUI Galway, will be installed as the society's president.
He will also deliver a lecture entitled "Irish sheela-na-gigs: erotic or apotropaic - or merely rude stone monuments?". That takes place at Oranmore Lodge Hotel this evening at 8 p.m.