April 2015 Newsletter
News about Ireland
The Taoiseach visited Atlanta for St. Patrick’s Day, where he met with political and business leaders, addressed the Irish Chamber of Commerce and was Grand Marshal at the 133rd Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He also spoke with CNN for a piece entitled “How Ireland developed the EU’s fastest growing economy” and spoke with Ralitsa Vassileva for Global Atlanta. He penned a piece for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Ireland-Atlanta ties.
The Government was represented in Savannah by its Chief Whip and Minister of State in the Departments of An Taoiseach and Defence, Paul Kehoe. Minister Kehoe participated in the largest Parade in the south-eastern US, met with the Georgia Ports Authority and the Savannah World Trade Center and wrote an opinion column for the Savannah Morning News on work underway to foster new connections with Ireland, including through the Wexford-Savannah Axis.
Irish Central featured Jalia Carlton-Carew, a remarkable Atlanta schoolgirl of parents from Sierra Leone. Jalia won the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Essay Contest and read her article for the Taoiseach during his visit.
A new Irish Network in Atlanta has launched on both Facebook and Twitter.
The Crosscare Migrant Project, which is funded by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, released interesting survey results from 500 recent emigrants from Ireland. And a first Global Irish Civic Forum – for groups representing Irish communities abroad – will be held at Dublin Castle over June 3-4.
RTÉ has launched a new ‘International Player’ for audiences around the world.
And the town of Midleton in Cork will be unveiling a sculpture to remember Choctaw nation generosity during the Great Irish Famine.
Upcoming Events
Ambassador Anne Anderson will visit Charlotte on Wednesday, April 22, and deliver a keynote address at the city’s World Affairs Council at The Westin (601 S. College St.) at 12pm that day. You can register to attend online.
Ambassador Anderson will also speak at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Thursday, April 23, on the topic “Ireland since the euro crisis: Relations with the EU and the US”. All are welcome – visit their website for more information.
On Saturday, April 11, Rome, Georgia, will host its latest “Across the Big Pond” Celtic Festival! This is the fifteenth annual Celtic Gala event, featuring the North-West Georgia Winds concert band, John Mohr MacIntosh Pipes and Drums, Celtic Flame Irish Dancers and much more. For further information, contact the event coordinator and conductor, Dr. Sam Baltzer, at sambaltzer12@gmail.com.
The World Trade Center in Atlanta will host a presentation on Ireland as a “Gateway to Europe” on Thursday, April 16, from 6pm; you can find out more and register.
Irish dancing teacher Karl Drake will be celebrating 25 years teaching at the Peach State Feis on May 1 and 2; More information.
The Rí Rá Clan na nGael Golf Classic, the main annual fundraiser for Gaelic Games in Atlanta, will take place this year on Saturday, May 9. Capacity is limited for what is a great event; register to play.
If there are Irish events you’d like us to highlight in future newsletters, please contact us.
Consulate General of Ireland
Monarch Plaza, Suite 260,
3414 Peachtree Road NE,
Atlanta, GA 30326.
Follow us on Twitter @IrelandAtlanta
April 2015