Galway’s master craftsman gets Presidential seal of approval

A master glass cutter who learned his craft in his native Galway can once again see his work take centre stage in the White House – after he hand-cut two unique vases, presented to the new US President and Vice-President last week.

And not for the first time, because Peter O’Rourke – originally from Ballinakill, Woodford, but living in Pennsylvania for the past 40 years – has had the honour of producing one-off pieces for US Presidents stretching back to the crystal jellybean jars he cut for Ronald Reagan.

This was his ninth time to fulfil an inauguration presentation, with his work already adorning the shelves of Presidents George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

He also worked on many special projects over the years, from custom gifts and stemware for US Senators to creating the awards for PGA/LPGA golf tour winners.

His story featured on Pittsburgh Today last week as he put the finishing touches to his new vases for President Biden and Vice-President Harris.

Both pieces are over two feet high, and while the President’s features the White House, the Vice-President’s is engraved with an image of the US Capitol building.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now. Or you can download our digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie