Philanthropist, businessman, and Irish America Hall of Fame member Brian Burns was officially announced as President Donald Trump’s appointment for ambassador to Ireland in January. He was tapped for the position in November, well before Trump’s inauguration on January 17 and must still undergo a lengthy approval process. Eighty-year-old Massachusetts-native Burns is the … [Read more...] about Brian Burns Named New Irish Ambassador
Politics
Northern Ireland Undergoes Historic Election Shift
For the first time in history of Northern Ireland there will be a nationalist majority in the national assembly at Stormont. A short 10 months after the previous Northern Ireland Assembly election, the citizens went to the polls again in March. Sinn Féin, the second-largest party in the North had triggered the election in protest over a scandal involving Arlene Foster, the … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland Undergoes Historic Election Shift
Spotlight on Mulvaney at U.S.-Ireland Business Summit
In March, the Ireland-U.S. Economic Business Relations Summit will host one of the top Irish American members of the new presidential administration team in New York. Former congressman Mick Mulvaney (R – South Carolina), who was appointed director of the Office of Management and Budget in February, is scheduled to be the guest speaker at the conference. The summit, … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Mulvaney at U.S.-Ireland Business Summit
McGuinness Passes Torch to Michelle O’Neill
Former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness announced in January that he would not be running for re-election due to an earlier diagnosis with a rare medical condition. Taking on the role as lead representative of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland is Michelle O’Neill, the outgoing Northern Irish minister for health and niece of prominent Northern Aid official … [Read more...] about McGuinness Passes Torch to Michelle O’Neill
Joe Biden Receives Surprise Medal of Freedom, May Return to Ireland This Summer
In January, Barack Obama surprised former Vice President Joe Biden with the highest honor that can be bestowed on an American citizen by the government – the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. It was the only one he gave out during his presidency. Biden admitted he was taken by surprise and had no idea the award was being given, thinking he was attending a dinner … [Read more...] about Joe Biden Receives Surprise Medal of Freedom, May Return to Ireland This Summer