Ship sailed out of the fog and into our dreams

I WANT the people of Ireland, the Government and anyone who had anything to do with bringing the Jeanie Johnston to Philadelphia to realise the importance of her visit.

The Jeanie in port represents the physical manifestation of a grand idea. An idea that through communities coming together as one, anything can be accomplished, be it in the north or south of Ireland, or in the melting pot that is this great city of Philadelphia.

When Mayor John F Street, an African-American, hosted his reception on the ship, joined by representatives of all the ethnic communities in Philadelphia, he talked about the hardships that the Irish had endured in escaping the Great Hunger.