Ryan2000, Ei did not remain silent on the shannon stop, in fact I can remember at least one campaign "WHY CANT I FLY DIRECT TO DUBLIN" or something like that. In addition EI went ahead and leased 2x767 to start a direct LAX svc to force the governments hand - all to no avail.
EI-RB, while a direct service to the US from Cork might look like a no brainer, it appears tha the demand is not there. North American Airlines (in assoc with a Cork Travel Agent) planned a 3 times a week svc last year with, as you proposed a B757, and guess what it was cancelled before it even started due to lack of interest!!!