Consulate General of Ireland, Atlanta April 2016 Newsletter

Irish News

Huge crowds lined the streets of Dublin on Sunday March 27 for the main State Ceremonial events to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising of 1916. The day’s programme included a wreath laying in Kilmainham Gaol where the 1916 leaders were executed, a reading of the Proclamation of the Republic at the General Post Office (where it was first read) and a parade through the city centre involving 3,700 members of our Defence Forces. See RTE’s coverage of these inspiring ceremonial events, watch the Centenary concert or review recent and upcoming 1916 events.

Minister Flanagan commented on the findings of the DA investigation into the 2015 Berkeley balcony collapse that killed five Irish students and injured seven – stating that while the investigation did not find cause for criminal proceeding, the ultimate objective is to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again.

Applications are now open for Global Irish Summer Camp , July 20-Aug 4, a totally new pilot programme for the diaspora designed to provide opportunity for young people of Irish descent to strengthen their links with Ireland.  

Nominations from the Southeast for the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad can be accepted at the Consulate until April 20^th.

The President released his 2016 St Patrick’s Day message.

The Taoiseach’s St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington included a dialogue with President Obama at the White House St Patrick’s Day Reception on our 1916 proclamation. 

Minister Paul Kehoe’s visit to Savannah March 16-18 underscored Ireland’s commitment to the region’s strong Irish community and driving forward economic cooperation.  A delegation from Wexford County Council also visited Atlanta and Savannah in the St Patrick’s Day period.   

Ambassador Anne Anderson visited Charlotte over the St. Patrick’s Day period where she addressed the Charlotte Chamber, was Grand Marshal for the 20^th Charlotte Parade and met with local political leaders and the Irish community.

The Taoiseach announced the launch of Census 2016, to take place across Ireland on Sunday, April 24^th, exactly 100 years to the day that the Easter Rising began.

Ireland’s GDP grew by 7.8% in 2015, making Ireland the fastest-growing economy in the EU last year.  Unemployment was at 8.8% in February 2016, down from a peak of 15.1% in 2012. The General Government Deficit has been reduced from over 32% of GDP in 2010 to an estimated 1.5% of GDP in 2015, and is expected to move even lower this year.

The Central Statistics Office published its Tourism and Travel Q4 2015 release, indicating total tourism and travel earnings from overseas travellers to Ireland increased by 20.6% between Q4 2014 and Q4 2015, from €952 million to €1,148.

Facebook announced that it is creating an additional 200 jobs in Dublin by the end of the year, bringing its total workforce in Ireland to 1500.

The Irish Passport Card received a prestigious security industry award for Best Regional ID Document. Minister Flanagan encouraged especially those travelling to France for the Euro2016 soccer finals in June to consider applying for the card.

The Irish Government published a Statement on the terrorist attacks in Brussels. The President and Taoiseach issued condolence messages. The National Flag was flown at half mast of those who died in the Brussels attacks and a separate tragic accident in Buncrana.

On March 10, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D., conveyed to the President his resignation from office. In accordance with the Constitution, the Government and the Taoiseach will continue to carry on their duties until successors have been appointed.

Upcoming Events in the Southeast

On April 2 the Music City Invitational, Nashville GAC’s 2nd Annual GAC's Hurling and Camogie 9's Tournament will take place.

Professor Joseph Lee will speak on "The Easter 1916 Rising in Ireland in Historical Perspective" on April 4 at the College of Charleston.  This address by the Glucksman Chair of Irish History at New York University is presented by Consulate General of Ireland and the College of Charleston’s Irish and Irish American Studies. The event will be open to the public and free to attend.

The Irish Women’s 7s rugby team will take part in the Atlanta 7s tournament on April 8 & 9 at the Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State. Their first match will be against France on the 8th at 12:52 PM.  On April 9^, from 2:45 to 3:45, Clan Na nGael will be playing a coed exhibition of hurling and gaelic football. Questions on the latter can be addressed to: info@atlantagaa.com

As part of the worldwide commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, Prof. Roy Foster of Oxford University will speak on “The Making of a Revolutionary Generation in Ireland” at Georgia State University at 5pm. On April 15^th at 2pm Roisin Higgins will deliver the plenary address entitled “What to Do with Their Lovely Past? The Politics of Commemorating the Easter Rising.” Both exceptional lectures will take place at the Speakers Auditorium, Student Center Building, Georgia State University, 44 Courtland Street, Atlanta 30303. They are free and open to the public and form part of the 2016 Southern Chapter meeting of the American Conference for Irish Studies.

On April 15, the Consulate General of Ireland will host a special screening and discussion of Notre Dame’s 1916 - The Irish Rebellion.  The documentary is a key element in Ireland’s centenary celebration at home and abroad. This special evening, in honour of the late Donald Keough, begins at 7pm at the Plaza Theatre. Speakers from the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame are the film’s creator, Prof. Bríona Nic Dhiarmeda, and executive producer, Prof. Christopher Fox, as well as film contributor, Oxford University’s Prof. Roy Foster. Tickets are free but seating is limited and must be reserved in advance.

On April 26 and 27, with support from the Consulate, Arís Theatre will present a staged reading of The Plough and the Stars to mark the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. The performances will take place from 7.30pm at The Morris & Rae Frank Theatre in the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. A Q&A session will follow. Tickets will cost $ 10.00. http://aristheatre.org/

Irish music sensation Celtic Woman celebrates their new album, Destiny, in an 85-city concert tour of the same name, including multiple April/May performances throughout the southeast.

Atlanta Clan Na nGael’s annual golf tournament fundraiser will take place on Saturday, May 14 at Heritage Links in Tucker. Entry is $500/team and includes golf cart and unlimited beer and non-alcoholic beverages. There will also be a raffle and auction. Registration and questions can be directed to info@atlantagaa.com.

If there are Irish events you would like us to highlight in future newsletters or if you know others who would like to receive these newsletters please let us know.