Northern Ireland Politician Mark Durkan Visits Pittsburgh
The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh and the British American Business Council, Pittsburgh Chapter, hosted Social Democratic Labor Party Leader Mark Durkan for a business briefing meeting on Monday, May 21, 2007. The breakfast meeting was held at the Allegheny Harvard Yale Princeton Club with over 30 business leaders from the Pittsburgh area in attendance. The panel, pictured at right with IIP President Jim Lamb and BABC Pittsburgh President Roger Cranville, included Martin Bradley, Vice President of Invest Northern Ireland; James Burnham, Murrin Chair in Economics at Duquesne University; the Honorable Mike Doyle, U.S. Congressman; and Ted Smyth, Senior Vice President of Heinz Corporation, praised the recent institution of devolved government in Northern Ireland as a critical step towards economic growth. Mr. Durkan spoke on the peace process and the future challenges and opportunities facing the new government. "We've arrived at a point at which common priorities, not divisiveness and demands, will move us forward in the political arena," said Mr. Durkan.
Mr. Durkan finished the day with a reception for the Irish-American Community at Mullaney's Harp and Fiddle in the Strip District. Both events were a resounding success. The Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh thanks the the British American Business Council for their partnership and Reed Smith for their sponsorship of the event.
The Wind that Shakes the Barley Viewing: April 23, 2007
The Ireland Institute, in association with AOH Division 32, sponsored discount tickets to see Ken Loach's The Wind that Shakes the Barley at the Regent Square Theater on South Braddock Avenue. The film, winner of the 2006 Golden Palm Award at the Cannes Film Festival, stars Cillian Murphy and Padraic Delaney as two brothers torn apart by the violence of 1920s Ireland.
An Evening with Hugh O'Neill: March 16, 2007
Hugo O'Neill, Chief of the O'Neill Clan worldwide and president of the Standing Council of Irish Clans, spoke on March 16 at the Double Tree Hotel Downtown. Attendees learned not only about their ancestral roots in the ancient Irish past, but also the Flight of the Earls and Ireland's future. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls, and presents a unique opportunity to acknowledge the people of Ireland, North and South, Protestant and Catholic, their tumultuous history, their sufferings and hardships from starvation, immigration, and prejudice, at home and abroad.
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"Give Me Your Hand" was a celebration of peace, reconciliation, and friendship, featuring the dancers of the Bell School, Burke School, Ceili Club, Irish Reelers and Shovlin Acadamy together in one show for the first time. The performance was held in the Catherine Thomas Theater at St. Benedict Hall, and proceeds from the ticket sales benefitted the works of the Ireland Institute.
Frank McCourt Booksigning: November 24, 2005
The Ireland Institute sponsored an event that featured well known author Frank McCourt at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Southside Works, Pittsburgh. Mr. McCourt was in Pittsburgh to attend a book-signing for his new novel "Teacher Man".
Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh Golf Outing, Fox Chapel: July 11, 2005
Our Ninth Annual Golf Outing took place on Monday, July 11th at Fox Chapel Golf Club. Over 60 golfers took part in this exciting event which was won by the foursome of Andy Krall, Mark Shaw, Ed Evanchak, and Gil Nedrow. Congatulations to all our golfers!
As our primary fundraiser each year, support of this outing helps us to further our mission of promoting peace in Northern Ireland and economic development throughout all of Ireland.
Mel Madden Peacemakers Lecture Series: February 23, 2005
John O’Donohue, author of the best-selling Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, and other works including Echoes of Memory, Eternal Echoes: Exploring Our Yearning to Belong, and Beauty, spoke at this year’s Mel Madden Memorial Lecture. O'Donohue is a poet, priest, philosopher and scholar from Connemara, Ireland. Born and raised in County Clare, he was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophical Theology from the German University of Tubingen in 1990. In keeping with the mutual understanding mission of the Ireland Institute, theme of his talk was “In A World of Conflict; A Moment of Peace.” O’Donohue spoke of using creativity in resolving conflict, and how individuals can tap into creativity. It was a delightful evening, and we thank everyone who attended this stimulating, reflective event.
The Mel Madden Memorial Lecture Series honors the memory of Dr. Mel Madden. Co-founder of the Ireland Institute in 1989, Mel spent his life promoting peace and mutual understanding in the global community. He was responsible for the design and curriculum of the Ireland Institute’s very successful mutual understanding program and touched the lives of over 1,000 participants from Ireland and Northern Ireland during his ten years with the Institute. We look forward to welcoming you to future Mel Madden Memorial Events.
