Thomas Cahill’s prescient piece in this issue entitled “The Irish Moment” captures much of the extraordinary success that Irish and Irish American ventures are enjoying at present.
Even The New York Times tipped its august cap recently in a piece entitled “The Irish Are Ascendant Again” by Dinita Smith, which noted among other facts that “there are now some 100 Irish names on the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest Americans.”
We are proud to point out that many members of the Business 100 have been to the forefront in helping create that revival. Through support for philanthropic organizations such as the American Ireland Fund or the Irish American Partnership, a vast pool of resources has been created for cultural and community projects in Ireland. In education, the creation of institutions such as the Keough Chair of Irish Studies at Notre Dame and Ireland House at New York University, or the funding of the new library at the University of Limerick by Americans has created a new outreach in a crucial area for Irish growth.
In business, a new entrepreneurial partnership has been established with Ireland through organizations such as the Irish Chamber of Commerce in the USA, and the Ireland/U.S. Council. What is unique is that almost all of these organizations have been created in the past decade and a half. Irish American business as a distinct entity has also come to maturity in that time and its impact has been enormous.
Irish American philanthropy has moved from a joke to a growth industry. While still lagging far behind our Jewish counterparts and their support of worthy community projects, there is no question that a new era has begun.
That is directly related to the reality that where once an Irish American chief executive of a Fortune 500 company was a rarity now it is almost the norm, as The New York Times and the Forbes 400 list have pointed out.
As Irish President Mary Robinson has pointed out on many occasions, the contribution of the Irish Diaspora will be the story of the 21st century. Irish American business will play a huge role in achieving that because the pride in Irish heritage and the commitment to help is shared in so many boardrooms across the United States. That reality is one of the great success stories of the new Irish.
So whether it is the success of rock groups like U2 and the Cranberries, Riverdance selling out at Radio City Music Hall, Seamus Heaney winning the Nobel Prize for literature, movies like Michael Collins winning international awards or the extraordinary success on Broadway of plays like Dancing at Lughnasa, there is no question that we live in exciting times to be Irish. For good measure, throw in the two Irish themed books currently on The New York Times bestseller list – How the Irish Saved Civilization by the aforementioned Thomas Cahill, and Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt.
In this respect this current period matches a similar era a century ago which became known as the Celtic Twilight, when writers such as William Butler Yeats and John Millington Synge and institutions like the Abbey Theater transformed the literary landscape.
Back then, too, there was a powerful Irish American dimension to the Irish revival, with Irish American business patrons such as John Quinn playing a huge role in ensuring the success of the new Irish.
Similar to a century ago, there are also signs of political stirrings. The foundation stones of what eventually became the Irish Republic were being laid over 100 years ago with a huge revival in Irish language and culture. Likewise, in Northern Ireland today the cornerstone of a new peace agreement has been laid. Despite the numerous setbacks which all peace processes encounter there is little doubt that a sea change has been effected in this era. We will never go back to the 25 years of violence, and the role of Irish Americans, including President Clinton and some leading Irish American businessmen, will also be acknowledged.
Our 1996 business list contains over 40 newcomers. Each year, the list becomes tougher to compile because of the sheer number of new names supplied to us by the now well-established network. To our newcomers we say a hearty “Cead Mile Failte,” and we hope in the future you will emulate those on the list who have done so much to make Irish America proud. To our old friends we say “Failte Ar Ais,” welcome back, and we compliment you on your great achievements once again.
A special final word of thanks to the sponsors of the 1996 Irish America Business 100. We are proud to welcome Aer Lingus, one of the world’s premier airlines, as our major sponsor and also to welcome back our old friends, Mutual of America, the Irish Trade Board and Belleek China, who have done so much to make this issue a success and our biggest ever.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the November/December 1996 issue of Irish America. ⬥
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