Irish President Acknowledges Irish-American Groups in First US Visit

This is my first visit as President of Ireland to the United States. I wanted to come here, at this early stage of my Presidency, because of all the world’s great cities, New York is one where the mutual history of Ireland and America resonates so powerfully. I come here to pay tribute to the enormous contribution which Irish people and their descendants have made to create the New York of today: one of the world’s foremost business, intellectual and cultural centres. Ireland can be rightly proud of the great success and energy which is so representative of the Irish Community in New York.

Over the next few days I will visit places and meet with people who represent in a profound way the ties of family, history, community and culture which bind Ireland and New York so closely together. Here and now I want to thank all of you for the great work that you do here on behalf of Ireland and on behalf of your communities – whether in the County Associations, in your businesses, in the Emigrant Support Centres, the GAA, the St Patricks Parade Committee, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Comhaltas Ceoltoirí, the Irish Arts Centre and the Irish Repertory Theatre or any of the great Irish community and cultural associations founded by your ancestors that are still keeping the tradition of their forebears alive today, while serving new needs and different times.

From President.ie