US DIPLOMATS and their guests celebrated America’s Independence Day in Ireland with an event at the American ambassador’s official residence in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
The Fourth of July celebration, hosted by chargé d’affaires Reece Smyth, was dubbed United We Rock and took place last night at Deerfield.
Some Irish politicians had chosen to stay away the event, however those who attended celebrated the many links between Ireland and America.
(Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)Among the guests were Fine Gael TDs Michael Noonan, Pat Breen and former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald as well as Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae.
In a speech, Mr Smyth praised Irishman Corporal Patrick Gallagher, who was given the US Navy Cross for heroically saving the lives of three comrades in Vietnam in 1966.
Cpl Gallagher died a year later after being shot while on patrol in Da Nang, however the USS Patrick Gallagher was named for him by the US Navy earlier this year.
Velvin Lamont performs the Star-Spangled Banner (Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)Cork-based American singer Velvin Lamont sang the Star-Spangled Banner before the US Army's rock band took to the stage.
Guests were also treated to performances from Co. Westmeath indie band The Academic and Co. Meath singer Sibéal Ní Chasaide, who performed the Cranberries' Linger as gaeilge (video below).
Chargé d'affaires Reece Smyth (Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)
Michael Healy-Rae TD speaking to members of the Irish Defence Forces and US Marines (Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)
American Legion Commander Liam Kane from Co. Wicklow and Vietnam veteran Michael Coyne from Co. Meath (Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)
Co. Meath singer Sibéal Ní Chasaide (Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)
Father Piotr Tarnawski admires a Corvette Sting Ray (Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)
Aisling O Toole from Dublin and Caroline Brady from Co. Donegal pose with US Marines (Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)
(Image: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie)— U.S. Embassy Dublin (@USEmbassyDublin) July 3, 2018
