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Schwarzenegger for Limerick? Business leader hopes to bring the 'Terminator' here
ARNOLD Schwarzenegger looks as if he is about to take on his most ambitious career change to date - coming to the rescue of the Limerick hurling team. But even that might be a step too far for the 'Terminator'.
The Governor of California was getting to grips with the game last week, after being presented with a hurley and a sliotar by Limerickman John Hartnett.
Their meeting followed an awards ceremony of the Irish Technology Leadership Group in California, which is presided over by Mr Hartnett.
But Mr Hartnett - who is keen for the Governor to visit Limerick - has jokingly denied suggestions that he is seeking to recruit a replacement for Justin McCarthy, Limerick's hurling manager.
"A bunch of friends had been emailing saying was I recruiting Arnie for the Limerick hurling team. But I'm not," he laughed, "not this time!"
However, a visit to Limerick in the coming years has not been ruled out.
This was the first time Mr Hartnett had the chance to speak in person to Governor Schwarzenegger, during which they discussed the possibility of travelling to Ireland to lead a trade mission from California.
While Dublin and Belfast would be more likely to feature in their travel plans, Mr Hartnett said he "would love to bring him to Limerick", especially after briefing him on Munster rugby and Thomond Park.
It was a busy week for the Corbally native, who is the chief executive and president of G24I, a solar energy company.
"It was a phenomenal week," he said, adding that his visit to the White House on St Patrick's day, where he met President Barack Obama and the First Lady, Michelle was "one of the highlights of my life."
"Maybe even beyond a Heineken Cup final. It was unbelievable," added the keen rugby supporter, who travels home as often as possible to support Munster.
Once they were past three layers of security, he said it was like being in somebody else's home and looking at photos that grace the walls - except they were all of US presidents.
Mr Hartnett said he literally had to pinch himself as he walked into the White House, while his wife Helen was delighted when she was embraced by Michelle Obama.
Nearly 200 people with Irish connections were present for a greeting with President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, including the Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Minister for Foreign Affairs Michael Martin, actor Gabriel Byrne, golfer Padraig Harrington, TV presenter Ryan Tubridy and members of the Northern Assembly Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
Mr Hartnett, who is on the board of the UL Foundation, was also instrumental in securing a recent memorandum of understanding between UL, NUI Galway, Shannon Development and Irish Technology Leadership Group.
Under the memorandum, the Shannon Energy Valley initiative will create a national hub for Energy research and development, industry and commerce with a view to attracting international investment and generating high-end employment in the region.
Mr Hartnett said this initiative will put "Ireland in a optimum position to become a leading innovator and developer of clean technologies."
He said there is no doubt that this is going to become the next big industry in the coming years.
While the economy is still in decline here in the Mid-West, he noted that they are beginning to see the start of the recovery in Silicon Valley; they are "leading the way out of the recession", which should spread across the States and hopefully across the Atlantic in the coming years.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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