This article is from page 17 of the 2006-06-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
SHANNON Airport had never seen anything like this in its storied history and probably never will again. It had all to do with Taoiseach Charles J Haughey, some pomp and plenty of ceremony.
On December 22, 1987, the crown prince of Fianna Fáil took to the microphone on the Rineanna runway and asked for a round of applause.
It wasn’t for a departing Head of State – that came later on in the reign of the self-titled spirit of the nation, when he met the self-titled spirit of Perestroika, Mikhail Gorbachev on a stopover in Shannon.
Instead, it was for an American bald eagle that got lost over the Atlantic and crash landed in Castleisland. A lone eagle, not unlike the pioneer aviator Charles Lindbergh, who came to Rineanna, as the hub of world aviation was been built.
And the applause rang out for what the Taoiseach called “this magnificent young bird”. The brown-plumed eagle was momentarily taken out of its holding box and ceremoniously handed over to a US government representative, on the steps of the Aer Lingus jet, Saint Colmcille.
The bird played to the gallery, flapping his seven-foot wingspan and almost taking flight again. Charlie dived for cover, but remained unflappable as he spoke to reporters about the bird, which he christened ‘Iolar’.
“I think from every point of view, this is a very auspicious occasion. I know you will all join with me in wishing God speed to our young feathered friend and may his life be happy for many a long year in the wilds of Washington. There is an analogy between Fianna Fáil and the eagle. This young bird is full of strength and vigour,” said the Taoiseach.