“The Flax Trust succeeds in what I strive to do — which is: To Listen. Listen to what others are saying.

“There is an enormous difference – a huge chasm, really – between hearing and listening. And more and more, it seems to me, listening is becoming a lost skill.

“I think of the Flax Trust. Of Sister Mary and the late Father Myles, among others, who listened intently to voices from both sides of what once seemed an insurmountable divide in Belfast. They listened. They gained trust. And they acted. Their impact on economic and social conditions has been absolutely transformative – thanks in part to the support of the people in this room.”

The room was at The Links, located at 36 East 62nd Street in New York City between Madison and Park Avenues – a stunning four-story Georgian townhouse, which was the site of the annual Flax Trust luncheon on October 8, 2025. The speaker was Dan Barry, a New York Times reporter and Flax Trust honoree.

Barry, an award-winning writer whose reporting on the scandalous conditions in a Mother and Baby Home in County Galway, “The Lost Children of Tuam,” is now a documentary, was one of three members of the Irish American community who were honored at the luncheon.

Alison Metcalfe, the North America head of Tourism Ireland, also referenced the Flax Trust’s peace and reconciliation mission and how the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 provided a framework for peace that allowed Tourism Ireland, ‘one of the six areas for closer cooperation.’ 

“Peace brings Tourism, and Tourism brings Peace, and the peace dividend for tourism in Belfast and NI has been enormous,” said Metcalfe, who has been heading Tourism Ireland N.A. since 2013. She further emphasized that “International visitors don’t see borders just opportunities to explore.”  And thanked Sr. Mary Turley for her dedication, saying: “Your work at the Flax Trust shows us what is possible if people work together, and as we look to the future, it is this spirit of collaboration supported by great partners that will keep the growth momentum going, help realize Belfast’s bold vision and keep its shining light bright.”

Peter McGurire rounded out this year’s eminent honorees. McGuire, a prominent businessman serving as Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations, took the opportunity to highlight the Order of Malta Ireland’s work and the active volunteer organization’s history of providing medical and community services in Belfast.

He thanked Sr. Mary for her vision and complimented her on the outreach of the Flax Trust. His words echoed those of Consul General Gerald Angley, who spoke earlier in the program, when he said:

“Our thanks to Sr Mary Turley and all at the Flax Trust for their steadfast commitment to reconciliation and to building shared prosperity, one person and one community at a time.”

Gerry Adams Documentary

Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man (2025) chronicles the life and political career of the former Sinn Féin leader. A private screening of the documentary was held at Hofstra University on November 16, 2025. The event, held at the Guthart Cultural Center Theater,  was attended by members of the Irish community, including a large group of New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians, pictured below.