Editor:
I read the article about the Fleadh with great interest since the USCIS (U.S. Customs and Immigration Service) and Consulate in Dublin do not understand that a person who achieves an All-Ireland is an artist of note, or that the All-Ireland is equal to a Grammy or better.
The Grammy is a vote by your peers whereas the All-Ireland is earned.
I have been doing visas for Irish artists for 30 years and it is only recently that both the USCIS and the Consulate are questioning this.
I just fought through a visa for a four time All Ireland winner with the USCIS, sending them an 82 page response, including the new Comhaltas Prospectus and the speech by Mary McAleese, as well as letters from people such as Joannie Madden.
The visa was approved and then denied in Dublin. The artist was sent home and told to email more evidence to them.
The Dublin Consulate has become a nightmare which you can confirm by talking to any of the Irish Festival directors in the U.S.
Robyn Boyd, Kerhonkson, NY
The writer is the founder of Wooden Ship Productions which represents traditional and contemporary music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Canada for North American Tours.
