by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Aug 19, 2015 | All Chapters, Uncategorized
INUSA sends best wishes to the Saratoga Wilton Soccer Club as they arrive in Ireland! The memories they make will last a lifetime – a great example of a local community building bridges back to Ireland.
August 19, 2015, Saratoga Springs, NY – Today 12U boys soccer players with the Saratoga Wilton Soccer Club will be embarking on a trip of a lifetime to play friendly matches against similar age boys in Ireland. The 14 local boys, their families and head coach undertook a series of fundraisers to support their week of travel set to begin on August 19, 2015. They will play matches near Galway, Ireland and Wexford, Ireland August 21st and August 24th, making stops of interest along their route around the southern end of the island through Cork and concluding in Dublin.
“The things that have stood out to me through the planning of this whole experience has been the commitment of the parents to make this opportunity a reality, and the generosity of community businesses, friends and families,” said Coach Rob Kelly. “I could not have envisioned such dedication from so many people. Bringing a team over 3,000 miles away is not just an amazing experience for the boys and their families, but it will be an honor for me to introduce them to my home country. It will be a good test against kids who have much more exposure to the sport. Aside from the soccer, I am delighted to show 14 families some parts of Ireland and its beauty. We have to give a great thanks to the support of the Saratoga Wilton Soccer Club and the generous donors and businesses in the community who helped make this happen.”
Coach Kelly, a native of Dublin, Ireland, working professionally in Saratoga County, arranged the matches with youth coaches in his home country. Local businesses helped with sponsorship of this unique opportunity for international exchange. The Adirondack Trust Company, Albany Pool Rebuilders, Aztech Environmental Technologies, Byrne Orthodontics, Concord Pools & Spas, Cudney’s Cleaners, Daniel Fleming Dentistry, First Touch Soccer USA, Galarneau Builders, Jointa Galusha LLC & Pallete Stone Corp, Merrill Lynch, Mangino Buick/Pontiac/GMC, New Country Toyota, Pet Lodges, Price Chopper, Recovery Sports Grill, State Farm & Agent Bob Bissonnette, Stewart’s Shops, Turbo Parts, LLC and West Point Thoroughbreds all bought banners for display during the popular spring and early summer season at the Club’s home pitches at Gavin Park in Wilton. Allerdice, Applebee’s, Bonacio Construction, Dr. Singh, Hoffman’s Car Wash and Wal-Mart made donations or afforded community based fundraising opportunities to further support the team’s travel expenses.
In recent weeks the team has been resuming their practices in preparation for the trip. More photos and thanks can be viewed via the team’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/Saratoga-Wilton-Soccer-Club-U12-Boys-Ireland-Trip-2015/863911967013187?fref=ts
CONTACT: Bill Teator, 703-338-0152 direct mobile
Coach Rob Kelly, 518-362-6343, rob.kelly1@gmail.com
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by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Aug 8, 2015 | All Chapters, In The News, News, Press Releases
IRISH TV is seeking innovative, motivated, and creative Video Photographers in Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Cleveland, Washington DC, Austin, Savannah, West Palm Beach
and San Francisco.
Responsibilities:
● Produce, shoot and edit features and programmes for air on Irish TV
● Procure Presenters/Talent/Host to present for programmes
● Engage with community to collaborate and find unique stories in conjunction with Irish
TV production department
● Must own appropriate camera and equipment for broadcast
Preferred characteristics:
● Previous camera, sound, lighting, producing, writing, and/or editing experience
● Some knowledge of Irish and/or Irish American community is helpful
● Team oriented, a selfstarter who engages people
● Flexible and adaptable to industry changes
● Solid communicator that can articulate effectively
● Ability to handle most or all elements in the production chain will be ideal
● Focus on results with ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment
With a base in Manhattan and Westport, Co Mayo, Ireland and offices, Dublin, Tralee, Tyrone,
London & Manchester, Irish TV is Ireland’s fastest growing TV and multimedia Company.
Broadcasting 24/7, IRISHTV is all about connecting Irish communities all over the world.
COMPANY NAME: IRISH TV
LOCATION: Cities listed above
TYPE: Parttime
CONTACT EMAIL: USA@irishtv.ie
WEBSITE: www.irishtv.com
IRISH TV
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by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Jul 16, 2015 | Cleveland, In The News, Press Releases
NEWS ADVISORY
FROM: John O’Brien, Jr. 216-647-1144 john@clevelandirish.org
July 24, 25, 26, 2015
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Berea, OH
Ireland is Calling You … to Cleveland. The 33rd Annual Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival takes place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea, Ohio July 24, 25, & 26, 2015.
Live More Life; Be More Irish ~ Over 100 singers, dancers and performers on three indoor and five outdoors stages will fill 117 acres, with entertainers from Ireland, Canada and across the U.S. highlighting the rich and varied Irish heritage.
The festival offers a wide range of music from traditional to Celtic Rock. Headliners include Ronan Tynan, of the Irish Tenors; Carbon Leaf, the first ever Coca-Cola Best Unsigned Band in America winner; Frances Black, renowned singer of the famous Black Family, and The StepCrew, like Riverdance, only faster! Returning favorites include The High Kings, Cherish the Ladies, Celtic Rockers Seven Nations and Marys Lane and Rory Makem.
Marys Lane, Carbon Leaf, Seven Nations and The StepCrew Rock-n-Reel their way from your toes right into your heart; great workout all around, so bring your dancing shoes, your energy, and your friends. Live More Life; Be More Irish, and dance like no one is watching.
Cherish the Ladies are back! The groundbreaking group of immensely talented and fun musicians and singers pack virtuoso performance with humor, heart and happy fans. The New Barleycorn, Patrick O’Sullivan, Brigid’s Cross and James Kilbane will also be performing.
First time appearances include singer Ashley Davis, Runa, and Ennis, and the first solo appearance by Rory Makem, Others on stage include Dennis Doyle, Guaranteed Irish, Dermot Henry, and The Kilroys. Things will happen! as Barleycorn’s Alec DeGabriel always says!
Presenting the very best of Ireland doesn’t stop with the music. The festival showcases championship dancing and pipe bands, and award-winning drama. Authentic Irish food vendors include Claddagh Irish Pubs, Sully’s Irish Pub and Winston’s Import Catering, and plentiful American fare for kids and adults alike is also available.
Things New to the festival this year include Online Admission and ticketing for the Friday and Saturday Whiskey Tastings; craft beers; Online Merchandise sales; a Local Irish band Showcase, featuring Ballinoch, The Roundabouts and Mad Macs; Irish Road Bowling and so much more.
Expanded at the Festival this year is Temple Bar & Museum – Modeled after the world famous entertainment district in Dublin city centre, our Temple Bar & Museum has loads of singing, dancing, sessions, carrying on, lessons, workshops and exhibits. Walk thru our beautiful hand painted Irish village storefronts to Temple Bar, have a pint of our new craft beers, a traditional Guinness, Harp or Smithwicks, or a pop, have a listen or share a song, a story, or a set dance lesson; you’ll find all the tradition of an Irish pub in our Temple Bar & Museum.
We are proud to host the U.S. launch of Connemara Whiskey at the festival! The Irish Beer Garden backs the Temple Bar, with tables for sitting, sharing and enjoying the Art of Conversation.
There are fourteen breeds of dogs native to Ireland, and they will all be at the Fest; the popular Dogs Native to Ireland are back! There are over 50 Irish vendors with everything from Aran knits to delicious Irish chocolate, T-Shirts, Jewelry, music and that special gift, calling you home.
The Tir Na nOg (Land of Our Youth) children’s area features continuous activities and live performances, T-Shirt painting, inflatable’s and much more.
Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival has given over $750,000 to local and national charities. The U.S. has been so generous in welcoming the Irish to this blessed country, and we love paying it forward, in thanks. Festival proceeds benefit The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Holy Family Home and ten other local and national charities. Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival has donated more than three quarters of a million dollars to charities since its inception in 1983.
Festival hours are 5:00 to 11:00 pm Friday; 1 to 11:00 pm Saturday; and 1 to 10:00 pm Sunday. Sunday’s outdoor mass starts at 11:30 am. General admission is $12.00. Children under 10 are free. Weekend passes are available online only, at www.clevelandirish.org, where you can also get additional details, band bios, entertainment schedules, purchase online admission, Whiskey Tastings tickets or Festival Merchandise at Get Your Gear.
www.facebook.com/Cleveland_Irish Instagram: www.instagram.com/clevelandirishfest Twitter: @Ceveland_Irish #CLEIrish #LiveMoreLifeBeMoreIrish
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by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Jul 9, 2015 | Chicago
New President/Vice President Appointment
We would like to welcome Rachel McCormac back to the Board of IN Chicago as President for the coming two years. Rachel a native Dubliner moved to Chicago nearly 12 years ago and lives with her husband Simon – also from Dublin and her son James (8 years) in the Bridgeport area of Chicago. Rachel has responsibility for operations and design of their residential and commercial remodeling business – Artane Construction.
“In my term as President I will welcome all Irish and friends of Ireland to the Network so that they can develop relationships that will foster successful involvement in their businesses and life. I hope to refresh the profile of Ireland Network in Chicago and build a new membership structure that offers opportunities to both individuals and businesses.”
Valerie Wall will serve as Vice President of the IN for the next two years. A native of Dublin, Valerie has lived in Chicago for the past 16 years. She graduated from University College Dublin with a PhD in organic chemistry and started her career in the pharmaceutical industry as a research scientist with the Monsanto Company. Valerie is now VP Sales & Marketing with RC Corp., a fine chemical custom development and manufacturing company with global locations. She serves on the board of Chicago Irish Immigrant Support and has been an IN committee member for the past five years. She is delighted to support Rachel in her new role as President.
by Deirdre Woodbyrne | Jul 8, 2015 | Minnesota
IN-MN Board Members Jim Brooks, Laurie Ingram McCrory and Mary McFarland with Ambassador Anne Anderson.
by Mary McFarland
Minnesota can count on one hand the number of Irish diplomatic dignitaries who have visited here in recent history.
~Irish Ambassador Dermot Gallagher dropped by when Taoiseach Albert Reynolds visited in summer of 1994.
~Ambassador Sean OhUiginn was a guest in 1998 and attended an event at the Town & County Club celebrating French and Irish links on the occassion of the bicentennial of the Rising of 1798. The gathering, on a local level also marked the retirement of Eoin McKiernan from the Irish American Cultural Institute and as the head of Irish Studies at the University of St. Thomas.
We can now add Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson to the list. During a whirlwind visit, in late May. Ambassador Anderson charmed Minnesota’s Irish organization leaders, including the board of Irish Network-Minnesota during an early evening event at the beautifully turned out Celtic Junction with Natalie and Cormac O’Se serving as the glamorous hosts.
Anderson visited the Minnesota History Center, where she, Senator Klobuchar and Mayor Coleman viewed a collection of Irish-American artifacts curated by Patrick Coleman the senior curator for the History Center,
The ambassador presented an inspiring blueprint for how America and Ireland compliment each other and can move forward together at the Minnesota International Center Luncheon held at the IDS Center. She also attended the Guthrie’s opening night of Juno & the Paycock where she dined with outgoing director Joe Dowling.
These are only the highlights as Anderson had numerous other ambassadorial functions, such as meeting with Medtronics senior staff, which recently relocated their company headquarter to Ireland. A dinner with local businesswomen and interviews with Star Tribune, the Irish Gazette and other local media. The Ambassador’s time managment skills were impressive.
Ambassador Anderson comes to her role as Ireland’s Ambassador to the US with a virtual boatload of experience in the diplomatic services. She has served as Ireland’s Ambassador since 2013 and previously served as Ireland’s Ambassador to the United Nations, the European Union, France and Monaco.
Personally I had the pleasure of meeting Ambassador Anderson in November of 2013 when she hosted Irish Network USA at the Irish Embassy in Washington D.C. The Ambassaodr spent time with each represented Irish Network and was knowledgable about Irish influences in all parts of the US.
Anderson articulated the strategic successes that Ireland and America have forged together. She also stressed that Ireland’s ability to act as a translator for the US to other members of the European Union defines the two countries unique relationship.
We look forward to Ambassador Anderson’s next visit and her continued stellar representation of Irish women on the world stage.
