Join the Emerald Isle and AOH Division 7 for the Celtic Cruise Launch Party at the Coliseum (312 W. 58th St. at Eighth Ave.) on Tuesday May from 6 to 9 pm.
Music by Enda Keegan, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Follow the link for details on the Celtic Cruise website.
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton visited the Emerald Isle in Queens on March 15, meeting Irish community members, the staff of the Center and Executive Board Member Mae O’Driscoll. The visit was an opportunity for the Minister to see the work of the Center and discuss the issues that Irish immigrants face.
Over the course of an hour’s conversation, the Minister answered questions from those in attendance, discussed the pot holes in Cavan’s roads and outlined the challenges facing the Government of Ireland in getting the country back on track.
Social Worker Marguerite Corcoran presented the Minister with a beautiful green, white and orange shawl that was made by the Bronx Knitting Group. Photos are available on the EIIC Facebook page.
As always when Irish politicians are visiting the Emerald Isle, the event proved a great success, in no small part thanks to the work of the Consulate’s staff. Thanks to all those who came to meet the Minister, to the Knitting Group, to Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer and to Minister Burton herself.
EIIC participated in a number of advocacy events in New York City and Albany over the last few weeks, highlighting the difficulties that immigrants face and encouraging legislators to enact solutions.
EIIC was well represented at the NYIC’s Annual Day of Action on April 17 at City Hall. Staff, including Executive Director Siobhan Dennehy and Director of Legal Services John Stahl, Esq., met with city politicians to discuss the issues facing immigrants in New York City. The Center also brought a group of community members who joined over 200 immigrants at the event.
On March 14 EIIC staff and a bus full of community members went upstate to participate in the Immigrants’ Day of Action in Albany. The event was organized by New York Immigration Coalition of which the Center is an active and engaged member. Thanks to all of those who traveled and delivered a message to legislators about the needs of immigrants in New York.
Photos of both advocacy days are available on the EIIC Facebook page.
Comptroller John Liu honors Community Members
Emerald Isle would like to recognize Rosemary Lombard, Peter Quinn and Pádraig Ó Cearúill who were honored by Comptroller John Liu this March. They are great ambassadors for their community and worthy recipients.
City Council Irish Heritage Night
Emerald Isle Staff and Board were present at the City Council’s Irish Heritage Night on March 27th at the New York Historical Society. Congratulations to the honorees Chris Matthews and Sheila Lynott-Houircan, and the Queens Sanitation worker and Irish scholar Ed Shevlin who was presented to the audience. Detective Kevin Brennan and Detective Kevin H. Herlihy were also recognized for their wonderful service to the NYPD.
Woodlawn Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
Congratulations to the organizers of the inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Woodlawn. The Parade was a great success and will undoubtedly grow even stronger over the coming years. EIIC participated with the Merchants Association who created a banner for the Parade. Thanks to all of those involved.
Saint Patrick’s Parade in Queens
Board Member Peter Quinn had the honor of being the Grand Marshal for this year’s St. Pats for all Queens Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, leading it through Sunnyside and Woodside. The popular event was attended by many of the Center’s staff.
Irish American Legislators Society
Congratulations to Chair Brian O’Dwyer who was honored by the Irish American Legislators Association at Hibernian Hall in Albany on March 12. The event was preceded by a lunch, hosted by Jeff Cleary of the Irish American Heritage Museum, to mark the event.
The White House Reception
Chair Brian O’Dwyer was present for the meeting of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the President Barack Obama, and the customary presentation of a bowl of shamrock to the President.
