I hope this note finds you in good health, adhering to the difficult, but necessary protocols that have been established to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
Though we are certainly not marking today the way we expected to, and indeed many of the celebrations that we not only look forward to have been cancelled, it is still St. Patrick’s Day.
Taking a step back from the onslaught of media reports of testing, social distancing, incubation periods, and all the other phrases that now roll off our tongues way too easily, I am reminded that for us, celebrating our Irishness is something we do 365 days a year.
Whether it’s gathering together for a networking event, welcoming an author to a book signing, assisting a delegation of Irish business leaders visiting the US to plant new roots, supporting a J1 student in their effort to get the most of their time in the US, enjoying the performance of a great Irish playwright or musician, or any of the dozens of other activities our chapters, and other like-minded organizations engage in regularly, strengthening Ireland’s bonds with the Global Irish is happening every day.
The phrase Ni neart go cur le cheile comes to mind during these challenging days, and indeed we can be confident that not only are better days ahead, but that we will get to those days together.
I hope you can take some comfort in knowing that when the day finally comes when COVID-19 is no longer the top news story, our bonds to Ireland will still exist, and with the continued support and commitment of each of you, be stronger than ever.
Better days are coming soon, and, if we want something to really look forward to, I am proud to offer a reminder that our 8th annual national conference will be held this year in Cleveland, and start on September 17. It takes only a quick look at the calendar to note that the day we will convene together again also marks the halfway point to St. Patricks’s Day.
The agenda for INUSA ‘17 in Chicago is beginning to take shape. This year’s conference will take place from September 14th to 17th at the historic Drake Hotel. We’re looking forward to a program packed with engaging speakers, high impact networking, workshops, and social events. But don’t just take it from us. Here’s what Taoiseach Enda Kenny had to say about iNUSA ’17:
“Irish Network USA’s inclusive and diverse approach to membership and chapter building has been an important part of Government’s efforts to engage our Global Irish community,” stated Taoiseach Enda Kenny. “I wish them the best for continued success and am confident that their 5th Annual Conference will yield more great results and lead to increased opportunities for investment in Ireland.”
Padraig Power, Commercial and Marketing Director for the Irish Rugby Football Union, joined INUSA to provide an insider’s look at the state of Irish Rugby, Ireland’s upcoming summer tour to the US and Japan, and Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. If you didn’t catch it the first time around, you can listen to the whole conversation exclusively on KonnectAgain. To listen to the conversation, get other exclusive content, and member-to-member networking opportunities, sign up for your invitation today: http://chicago.irishnetwork-usa.org/konnect-again-sign-up
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.
We want to offer a big thank you to Irish Central for their continued support of Irish Network USA’s growth and success. We’re proud to launch our 19th chapter in Houston, Texas on October 24th.
What happens when sixteen visual artists, two sculptors, a performance poet, a writer, a
musician, a singer, a performance artist and an actor / producer meet in a room in Ireland?
Between them they decide to collaborate, to join talents and move their art into spheres they
haven’t explored before. Between them they set up the first intercultural, cross disciplinary
artistic collaborative to come out of Ireland …in 2014.
And they call themselves:
‘idir’ – from the gaelic for ‘between’ …signifying collaboration between artists, between cultures,
between countries and continents.
Please join us on 9th October
6-9pm for the opening of the New York exhibition.
Event: Group Ego Trip 1 curated by David C. Terry
Where: 20 Jay Street, 7th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (F train York St Subway)
Tel: (212) 366-6900
When: 9th October 2014 – 30th January 2015
What time: 6.30pm – 9pm
RSVP: by 1st October 2014 to idirevent@gmail.com
idir was established as a collective in 2013, by twenty six Irish based practitioners.
The creative artists met at the Centre For Creative Practices, Dublin during The Profitable
Artist Bootcamp, the brainchild of the New York Foundation For The Arts, last October.
