Community Corner

Flying To See The Eagle

First Selectman Spends A Week In Ireland

The U.S. Coast Guard training ship, the Eagle, left to cross the Atlantic Ocean. First Selectman Dan Steward was one of many dignitaries to attend the event and wish the cadets farewell.

Late last week, Steward was again on hand, this time to see the Eagle land in Waterford, Ireland. Steward went with a group of about 20 through the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.

“It was a nice visit,” the first selectman said.

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Steward was in Ireland for a week, returning home on Wednesday. He called meeting the cadets “great,” while sharing his other observations about the country.

The Landing

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The Eagle had to land early in Waterford, Ireland, because some of the crew members got hurt, Steward said. Several sustained severe rope burns on their hands while trying to guide sails in heavy winds, he said.

“They weren’t hurt seriously, but seriously enough to warrant landing early,” Steward said.

The landing proved difficult as well, with the cutter having 2 feet of clearance on either side and traveling in heavy winds, Steward said. The boat has an engine, but it doesn’t have much power, he said.

Because the Eagle landed early, there was no ceremony. So the group took the cadets out to dinner, which was the best of the trip, Steward said.

“They were great,” he said. 

The Trip

The group traveled to several cities, including Waterford and Dublin. Waterford has a population of roughly 50,000, and Dublin 1.4 million, Steward said.

The landscape was mostly green and hilly, with ever-present gray skies and fairly stable temperatures, said Steward, who is Scottish. The days are also longer, because it is farther north, with the sun shining past 10 p.m., he said.

The food was very plain; generally unseasoned meat with potatoes for every single meal. It was expensive as well, as a breakfast buffet cost 15 euros, or about $22.50, he said.

Ireland is currently in a worse recession than the United States, with an unemployment rate of 14 percent. The country has lost most of its manufacturing base, even with one-time mainstays like Waterford Crystal importing most of their products, he said.

The people were especially friendly and very willing to share their culture, Steward said. The group was able to tour some of the castles in the area, which were turned into hotels and restaurants.

The government is run far differently than here in the United States, with an income tax at 50 percent. However, there are no property taxes, so the towns get their money from the federal government. Also, the police force and almost all of the other services are federal, he said.

“It is a different way to do things,” Steward said.

The biggest change was simply dealing with the roads, as to drive, you had to shift with your left hand, he said. And crossing the road proved difficult.

“I was constantly looking the wrong way crossing the street,” Steward said. “You are just used to looking the other way.”

While the trip was nice, it was good to return home, Steward said. The time away made him miss his wife.

“It was the longest I was ever away from my wife in 40 years,” Steward said. “I was happy to come home.”


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