THE arrival of Ulster's sizeable contingent of Government ministers, representatives of trade and industry, culture, tourism and leisure is the culmination of a four-month appetiser being served up in Washington DC.
It all began with a series of events which began on St Patrick’s Day, under the auspices of Rediscover Northern Ireland,
A host of cultural patrons, captains of industry and leisure representatives descended on the USA in March, whetting the appe
tite for the main event itself, the Smithsonian Festival.
One of the most popular preliminary curtain-raisers was a feast of Ulster’s best fare, served by Noel McMeel, executive chef at the favourite celebrity haunt, Castle Leslie in Co Monaghan.
Continuing the series, a personal interpretation of Ulster landscapes will be offered by television presenter Darryl Grimason.
Lord and Lady Dunleath, from Ballywalter Park in Co Down, will paint a colourful picture of life in a stately home.
The flamboyant couple will also take visitors on virtual tours of some of Northern Ireland’s grandest homes and give personal accounts of royal visits to Northern Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II.
Composer and pianist Phil Coulter will share some of his popular compositions in a special VIP concert.
Of the many exhibits being staged, one tipped to generate great interest is the mammoth Titanic exhibition, supported by Titanic Quarter Ltd and located at Washington’s Union Station.
The unquenchable appeal of the ill-fated Belfast-built Red Star Line liner will be demonstrated on a ship-shaped stand, in front of the hundreds of thousands of travellers who pass through the station every day.
On board will be Titanic aficionados who are also briefed to spread the word of the regeneration of Belfast.
Tourism in Northern Ireland has in recent times been officially driven as part of an all-island package, through Tourism Ireland.
However, communications manager with NITB, Orla Farren, said the Smithsonian Folklife Festival will focus all the attention specifically on the Province, which is still neglected by a significant proportion of North American visitors.
“Ireland gets around eight million visitors and Northern Ireland gets about two million visitors, but we are starting to see an increase in US visitors here,” she said.
“Northern Ireland was very topical in US media in the months running up to the festival,” she added.
Alan Clarke, the tourist board chief executive, said: “NITB is working hard with a range of partners to maximise the potential of this special event, which is recognised as the largest festival in the US capital’s calendar. It will play an essential role in driving Northern Ireland forward as a world class destination.”
Some commentators have suggested that the festival has the potential to generate up to £6 million worth of positive exposure for the Province.
