MATTIE: I SAINT FLYING ; COUNTDOWN TO ST PATRICK’s DAY Deputy Mayor Misses Trip to US Because of His Plane Fear
By PETER GLEESON
A DEPUTY Mayor is to miss out on an all-expenses paid junket to America – because he’s terrified of flying.
Fianna Fail Councillor Mattie Ryan said he would much prefer to stay at home than jet to Baltimore, Maryland, and New York to represent North Tipperary at parades in the two cities.
Personal reasons have prevented County Mayor Jim Ryan from travelling.
But when the offer of the dream trip was then put to the Deputy Mayor, he too had to turn it down.
Cllr Ryan revealed a frightening experience while in the air has left him scared of planes.
He said: “On the way over to Rome 11 years ago the plane was struck by lightening and it dropped 8,000ft. So that finished my flying days.”
The privilege of the good-will visit now goes to Fianna Fail veteran councillor Tom Harrington.
Meanwhile, thousands of Irish punters will escape the country this weekend in the annual St Patrick’s Day getaway.
More than 330,000 passengers are expected to use Dublin Airport this weekend.
Around 2,100 flights will arrive and depart, with 16 charter flights heading to Italy in time for Ireland’s final Six Nations match.
Extra workers have been hired to deal with the rush while airport chiefs urged travellers to be aware of new security restrictions on liquids and sharp objects.
Iarnrod Eireann said more than 200,000 travellers were set to use its InterCity services. A spokeswoman added: “It’s certainly going to be one of the busiest weekends of the year and we are urging people to book ahead.
“There will also be extra Dart and commuter services before and after the main parade in Dublin.”
Bus Eireann said because of road closures for the event, it would be unable to access bus stops at James Fintan Lawlor Avenue in the city.
This will be between 2.30pm and 6pm tomorrow.
It is also laying on extra night buses and thousands of passengers in Dublin can get Nightrider services to towns including Navan, Naas, Drogheda and Wicklow.
An Irish Ferries spokesman said they had seen a rise in the number of weekend bookings.
He added: “Bookings this weekend have increased – it helps the holiday has fallen on the weekend.
“We are more than ready for the weekend though and have plenty of capacity for our customers.”
And Tourism Ireland is hoping to cash in on St Patrick’s Day fever – it has spent EUR50million on a marketing drive.
Tourism Ireland chief executive Paul O’Toole said: “People overseas identify the day with the island of Ireland and we are the envy of many tourism agencies who would love to have such an occasion associated with their nation.
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