Irish Youth Group Launched in Philadelphia

Leading Irish youth development group Foróige launched its first overseas club in Philadelphia in February. The launch took place in the city’s Irish Immigration Center, the new home of Foróige in the U.S. This pilot collaboration between the two organizations is projected to act as a model for Irish American youth and others who would like to engage with their Irish heritage in a fresh and invigorating setting. It will include developmental programs in areas such as leadership and civic engagement.
The launch was attended by Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development Ciarán Cannon, international Foróige chairperson Sandra McIntyre, and chairman of the board of the Irish Immigration Center, John O’Malley.
Cannon congratulated the new members of Foróige Philadelphia at the launch, and expressed the hope “that this becomes a template for other Irish American communities across the U.S. to consider starting their own Foróige club.”
“Much of adolescence is about belonging,” said McIntyre, “and this launch is about celebrating the opportunity that Foróige and the Irish Immigration Centre are giving Irish American young people to belong, not only to a Foróige club, but to Ireland and the global Irish family.” ♦