May 2014 - News about Ireland
President Michael D Higgins completed the first State visit to Ireland’s nearest neighbours, Great Britain. The President was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II for a State Banquet at Windsor Castle and addressed a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament. A Ceiliúradh (Celebration) at the Royal Albert Hall featured a host of Irish musicians and celebrities; a behind-the-scenes look is available on the RTÉ Player, while the concert included this memorable rendition of “The Auld Triangle”.
US Congressman and Atlanta civil rights hero John Lewis visited Ireland and delivered the inaugural Daniel O’Connell/Frederick Douglass lecture at Iveagh House, the Headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In welcoming the Congressman, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD, said Lewis was “an iconic figure who belongs in the pantheon of great leaders in the American civil rights movement”. You can watch the Congressman’s address on the Department website and read an article in the Irish Times.
The Consulate was delighted to announce the appointment of Ireland’s first Honorary Consul for North Carolina, Dr. John Young. Welcoming the appointment, the Tánaiste noted the “huge opportunities in terms of boosting business and tourism connections between Ireland and North Carolina”. Global Atlanta covered the story, while the announcement was also welcomed by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
The Wall Street Journal noted that increases in industrial output in Europe have been strongest in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland launched a new $16 million collaboration with the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, which will see the commercialisation of up to 20 novel medical technologies in Ireland over the next 5 years. Meanwhile, a new range of employment permits were announced to cement Ireland’s position as a technology and communications hub.
Former Coca-Cola President Don Keough talked to Irish Central about Ireland’s relationship with its diaspora, while fellow Atlanta resident Dave Fitzgerald spoke in this short video interview about tracing his Irish roots. Meanwhile, Dublin-born academic and writer Kieran Quinlan has been awarded the prestigious Ireland Prize for Scholarly Distinction at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.
A minute of silent reflection to remember the victims of the Irish Famine will take place on Sunday, May 11, as part of National Famine Commemorations in Strokestown, county Roscommon. This year’s International Famine Commemorations will take place in New Orleans in November. Ahead of those events, the Irish Network of New Orleans has announced new scholarships for Louisiana students to study at UCD in Ireland this summer.
Paul Simon participated in a special celebration of the life of Seamus Heaney at Dublin Airport.
And a pencil drawing by a 16-year old Irish girl has won rave reviews in Ireland and beyond.
Upcoming Events
Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Anne Anderson, will be the guest speaker of the Irish Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta for a luncheon at 12pm on Wednesday May 28. It will be the first visit to Atlanta of our new Ambassador, who will talk about “The Next Chapter in Ireland-US Relations”. The event will take place at the Commerce Club downtown (191 Peachtree St NE).
The Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans (933 Conti Street) continues to host an exhibition by Irish photographer, Daragh Muldowney, until Saturday May 24. “Jewellery Box” showcases the beauty to be found in coastal life off the shores of Ireland; you can take a look at images from the exhibition and there is a very nice, short video on how the project came about. The exhibition is supported by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Leo Moran and Anthony Thistlethwaite of Galway band The Saw Doctors will play at Rí Rá (208 North Tryon St) in Charlotte from 9pm on Wednesday May 7.
The World Affairs Council of Atlanta will host a dinner to mark Europe Day on Thursday May 8 from 6pm. Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, former US Ambassador to the European Union, will be the keynote speaker.
The Irish American Chamber of Commerce of Florida will hold an informal networking event at Ember in downtown Orlando from 5.30pm on Thursday May 8; all are welcome.
Only a few places remain available for the 2014 Atlanta GAA Golf Classic, which will take place in the Heritage Golf Links on Saturday May 10.
And the next European Science Café will be held on Wednesday, May 14, at 5.30pm and will focus on “Mathematics and Music”.
If there are Irish events you’d like us to highlight in future newsletters, please let us know through our Contact Us page.