Irish Navy's Flagship To Visit Philly

Ireland's Naval Service flagship the LÉ Eithne will make its first-ever visit to Philadelphia between July 14 and 17.

The ship, captained by Commander David Barry, will berth at Penn's Landing and will be opened to the public during its stay.

At 10am on July 15, the Captain, crew members, civic dignatories and Ireland's Deputy Consul General in New York, Breandán Ó Caollaí, will take part in commemorative events at the "Irish Memorial" at Front and Chestnut Streets.

This will be followed by another commemorative event at the Commodore John Barry monument on Independence Square.

At 6.30pm July 16, a team from the Eithne will play a friendly game of Gaelic football with a selection from Philadelphia's local Gaelic Athletic Organisation at Cardinal Doughtery High School.

Following the Gaelic football match, various Irish county associations and the Commodore John Barry Irish Center on Emlen Street will host the crew to a post-game celebration.

The Irish Center, in association with the Irish Arts Center New York, will also launch "To Love Two Countries," a photo exhibition of longtime resident Irish immigrants in Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York

Other elements of the program will include a welcome reception for the crew hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians and other Irish groups.

Commodore David Barry will pay the customary courtesy calls on civic, political and military figures.

In addition to those already mentioned a large number of Irish, civic and other groups in Philadelphia including the Irish American Business Chamber and Network have worked together in the organisation and support of the program of events which is being coordinated by the Consulate General of Ireland.