Cork US link.
AA are operating Chicago Shannon for Summer 2007 as are EI. CO are operating EWR-SNN. Delta operating from Atlanta and JFK to SNN and EI are operating from JFK and Bos to SNN. US air operating from Philadelphia to SNN.
If all of these routes are viable its a poor reflection on Cork that it cannot get a direct US service up and running even on a seasonal basis.
You won't be able to hide behind the bilateral for much longer and the Department of transport have provided you with a loophole since 2004.