report - aisling events · 2019-07-01 · peace lines, across oceans, across a divided america and...

R E P O R T

12 -14 J U N E 2 0 1 9

Adecade of bridge building between Ireland and the US hasbeen marked in NYC as the New York New Belfast businessand development conference celebrated its tenth year at a

host of venues across the city. The premier conference for Irish America and its friends in thebusiness, political and cultural spheres, took place betweenWednesday 12 and Friday 14 June and once again led the way increating connections and cementing relationships between thetwo great cities. New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Council Memberand Chair of the Finance Committee on New York City Council,Daniel Dromm and Suzanne Aquino, the Global Category Head ofChain IQ, were just some of the US-based voices leading thediscussions at the event themed ‘Be The Bridge’. And whist acknowledging the perils posed by Brexit, TomDiNapoli was among the many voices reiterating their support forthe north.

“Over the years, we in New York have stuck by you and workedwith you, trying to get more investment in Northern Ireland tobuild the peace and sustain it. And now, in this critical time, wewill remain squarely in your corner,” he said. “We are in this together, through whatever comes. We willcontinue to build upon our partnership. We will continue to plantseeds of investment in the economy of the future that will helpsupport and sustain all of Northern Ireland. “Despite the political and economic uncertainty that liesahead, I honestly have no doubt that the long-term future remainsbright for Northern Ireland.” The US champions were joined by President of the BelfastChamber of Trade and Commerce Rajesh Rana, who led a tradedelegation from Belfast along with a host of academics, investors,community builders, and artists. Rana, who is a director of the leading hotel and propertydevelopment company, Andras House said the event was

Transatlantic bridge builders underpin

2 • New York New Belfast Conference 2019

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“We are in this together, through whatever comes. We will continue to build upon ourpartnership. We will continue to plant seeds of investment in the economy of the futurethat will help support and sustain all of Northern Ireland. Despite the political andeconomic uncertainty that lies ahead, I honestly have no doubt that the long-term futureremains bright for Northern Ireland.”

–– Tom DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller

New York New Belfast Conference 2019 • 3

Rajesh Rana, Director of Andras Hotels and President of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce; AshleenFeeney, KPMG; Jayne Brady, Kernel Capital; Pat Doherty, New York State Comptroller’s Office; andNew York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli gather at Pier A, Harbor House, Battery Place for thetenth New York New Belfast business and investment conference

‘invaluable’ in terms of business contacts and networks. “When Andras House Ltd attended the New York New Belfastevent previously, we made a number of valuable contacts. Inparticular, we met CIE Tours representatives in the US, and as aresult, we are now working with CIE Tours to accommodate tourgroups from the US in our Belfast hotels. This is a positiveexample of the quality of business contacts at NYNB.” The event, whose lead business supporter is KPMG, began onWednesday evening with a reception for the Belfast delegation atthe oldest Irish American business chamber in New York, the IrishBusiness Organisation. The official opening reception then tookplace on Thursday evening at the American Irish HistoricalSociety and featured a transatlantic celebration of culture andarts (see pages 6 - 9). The ‘Be The Bridge’ business conference kicked off in earneston Friday and featured leading influencers in business, tourism,arts and community development, from both sides of the Atlantic(see pages 10 - 13).

Shaun Kelly, Global Chief Operating Officer of KPMGInternational said the company was delighted to support such agathering of ‘dynamic bridge-builders’. “As lead business supporter of this groundbreakingtransatlantic initiative, KPMG has been delighted to see lasting,mutually beneficial alliances in the fields of sport, culture andcommerce emerge from contacts and friendships forged at thisannual conference.” Friday’s business and development conference also hosted the‘Be The Bridge’ Awards which honored exemplary bridge buildersbetween Belfast and NY over the past decade (see page 14 & 15)before a visit to the redeveloped Domino Sugar Refinery inBrooklyn. Hosted by the former Small Business Commissioner ofNYC, Rob Walsh delegates were introduced to global urbanarchitect Vishaan Chakrabarti. The Irish Echo Irish American of the Year Award was presentedto Mae O’Driscoll at the Farewell Finale at Pier A, Harbor House(see page 16).

cast iron commitment to Belfast

The oldest Irish American business chamber in New York, theIrish Business Organisation (IBO), was the first US host for thisyear’s NYNB Belfast delegation with a reception held at Ireland

House at the Irish Consulate on Park Avenue on Wednesdayevening, 12 June. The IBO - whose members represent the cream of the IrishAmerican business community - promotes, fosters and advances thebusiness interests of Irish and Irish American business and isheaded up by its President Nicholas Malito. Mr Malito used theoccasion to present the ‘Be The Bridge Award for Business’ tofinancier Michael George, a son of Belfast who is now one of NewYork’s leading bankers and a partner with Versant Capital. Thursday’s events began with a breakfast meeting in New YorkCity Hall with Danny Dromm, Chairman of the Finance Committee ofNew York City Council and Chair of the Council’s Irish Caucus.Caucus members also joined the Belfast delegation for the business

discussions before the group attended a roundtable discussion atMöet Hennessy USA’s company headquarters in the Meatpackingdistrict. The event was hosted by Möet Hennessy’s President andCEO North America, Jim Clerkin, one of the most successful Belfastexpats in the Big Apple. Belfast artist Marcus Robinson was next to welcome NYNBdelegates with a visit to his studio on the 43rd floor of 3 World TradeCenter. The delegates were the first into the award-winning artistand filmmaker’s studio which overlooks the site whose rebuilding hehas masterfully captured in his time-lapse film, Rebuilding theWorld Trade Center. The final event of the afternoon saw a visit to the BrooklynChamber of Commerce, where the Chamber President, HectorBatista discussed the success of the revitalisation of the borough,sharing ideas and engaging in discussions with his Belfastcounterparts.

Forging links in business, art and commerce

"The first rule of bridge building is just show up." –– Be the Bridge honoree for Technology,

Mary Ann Pierce, founder & CEO of MAP Digital, Inc.


Opposite page, top: President of the Irish Business Organisation, Nicholas Malito presents the ‘Be The Bridge Award for Business’ to financierMichael George at the IBO reception at the Irish Consulate on Park Avenue; bottom: Belfast delegation at New York City Hall hosted by Chairof New York City Council’s Finance Committee, Daniel Dromm

This page, clockwise from top left: Belfast artist Marcus Robinson with delegates at his studio on the 43rd floor of 3 World Trade Center;some of Marcus’ artwork of World Trade Center workers; exchanging ideas at Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Möet Hennessy’sPresident and CEO North America, Jim Clerkin with the delegation at the company’s HQ in the Meatpacking district of NYC

Art breaching thegreat divideThe opening reception of New York New Belfast 2019 took place atthe American Irish Historical Society on Fifth Avenue on Thursdayevening, June 13. Featuring a transatlantic celebration of cultureand art, the event highlighted the importance of culture andcreativity in underpinning relationships and building andmaintaining connections. Council Member Daniel Dromm opened the evening’sproceedings before a welcome to the American Irish HistoricalSociety by its Chairman, Brian McCabe. The artistic element of the evening was begun by Belfast-bornProf Angela Kelly with her presentation, Catharsis: A New YorkPhotographer Returns to a New Belfast. Angela is now a professorat Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Photographic Arts

and was followed by Prof Donovan Wylie, a lecturer in BA/MFAPhotography at Ulster University who discussed Photography,Creativity and Belfast. Erin Hartnett and Alison Fraser of the University at Buffalointroduced the gathering to the largest collection of James Joyceworks in the world with their talk, University at Buffalo: A Home forthe Greatest Joyce Collection in the World. Filmmaker Bill Page then discussed the work of artist RodneyDickson and his profile, Along The Edge before the ‘Be The BridgeShebeen’ kicked off. Entitled ‘Across the Great Divide’, theprogramme featured art which brings people together - acrosspeace lines, across oceans, across a divided America and wasorganised in association with Irish American Writers & Artists. ‘Across the Great Divide’ showcased performances by Belfastsinger/songwriter, Brian Houston and singer/songwriter JoeHurley; poetry by John Kearns recited by actor AnnalisaChamberlin; and an original monologue by actor and writer AndreaBarnes. The evening was concluded by Larry Kirwan whoperformed his Belfast version of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’.


“There may be an ocean between New York and Belfast but the bridgesconnecting our cities are indeed strong. As all of us here know the benefits ofthese linkages cannot be overstated. Economic equity and prosperity arecritical to peace and stability.”

––Councilman Daniel Dromm, Chair of New York City Finance Committee


Creative connectionsIntroductory address at the American Irish Historical Societyby Councilman Daniel Dromm, Chair of New York City FinanceCommittee and Chair of the Council’s Irish Caucus

As Chair of the New York City Council’s Irish Caucus, I want towelcome you to the Big Apple and to thank all those who havespearheaded this event year after year, as well as our host thisevening, the American Irish Historical Society. This year’s conference theme implores us to 'Be the Bridge'. Facing these troubled waters, we need folks from allbackgrounds to serve as conduits linking people, capital andideas. There may be an ocean between New York and Belfast but thebridges connecting our cities are indeed strong. As all of us hereknow the benefits of these linkages cannot be overstated.Economic equity and prosperity are critical to peace andstability. During my last trip to Northern Ireland, I had the honorof meeting many individuals who are working to help realize thetremendous potential there. My next visit, which should be this

fall, will, I am sure, be equallyrewarding.I am delighted to see that the arts

always have a place at thisconference. Given the richness ofNorthern Ireland’s culture it onlyseems natural!

Tonight you will get a taste ofthe extraordinarily creative 'bridges'working across media. Earlier todaydelegates had an opportunity tovisit the studios of MarcusRobinson. I had the honor of getting

to know him and his work over the past few years. Hismonumental canvasses celebrate the men and womenrebuilding the World Trade Center site. He is truly a bridgebuilder whose vision has helped New York City heal after 9/11. Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity to highlightthe benefits: commercial; artistic; and political; of collaborationbetween the United States and Northern Ireland. Such exchangehas enriched us in the past and will continue to do so for as longas it continues.

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Left to right: American Irish Historical Society Chairman Brian McCabe; Sophie Colgan, Marketing and EventsCoordinator, AIHS; John Kearns, Irish American Writers and Artists; Prof Angela Kelly, Rochester Institute of Technology

Delegates and performers at the American Irish Historical Society: this page clockwise from top left; Laura Leonard, Belfast City Council, SuzanneAquino, Chain IQ, Jayne Brady, Kernel Capital; Fionntán Hargey, Markets Development Association, Peter McDermott, Irish Echo, Bill Page,filmmaker, Sophie Colgan, American Irish Historical Society, Rodney Dickson, artist; Prof Paul Moore, Ulster University, Prof Angela Kelly, RochesterInstitute of Technology, Prof Frank Lyons and Prof Donovan Wylie, Ulster University; Brian McCabe, Chair AIHS, John Connorton, retd. NationalCommittee on American Foreign Policy, Dan Dennehy, AOH; Paddy Doherty, KPMG in NI, Daniel Jackson, Cornerstone Development, FionntánHargey, Markets Development Association


This page clockwise from top left: Michael Stewart, House Belfast, Gorden McElroy, MKB Law, Martina Connolly, Belfast Chamber of Commerce,Rajesh Rana, Belfast Chamber of Commerce, Christopher McCausland, McCauslands Holdings, Les Hume, TapSOS; singer/songwriter BrianHouston; Erin Hartnett and Alison Fraser of the University at Buffalo; Dan Dennehy, AOH, Jim McLoughlin, Siobhan Dennehy, Executive Director,EIIC, Brian McCabe, AIHS, Peter McDermott, Irish Echo; Billie-Jo McDowell, QUB, Richard Cushnie, NI Bureau and J-1 student


Business and investment conference

Getting down to business at the New YorkNew Belfast business and investmentconference on Friday 14 June at Pier A,Harbor House was a stellar cast of bridgebuilders from business and academia, thelegal profession and the arts, tourism andtech industries among others - all boundtogether by the goal of copper-fasteningpeace through social progress and prosperity. Discussing the topics and outlining theopportunities that will help shape all ourfutures on both sides of the Atlantic, theimportance of private and public co-operationwas high on the list of priorities of many ofthe day’s panellists. Ashleen Feeney, DealAdvisory and Head of Business Developmentof KPMG in NI was one of the first to outlinethe required collaborations telling theaudience that private investment is key toredeveloping Belfast’s city core, with £3-4being sought for every £1 from government. Ashleen was taking part in the first paneldiscussion of the day, A Bridge to the Future:Rebuilding Belfast’s City Core. Chaired bySuzanne Aquino of Chain IQ, a member ofInvest NI’s Advisory Panel, East Coast, USA,Ashleen was joined by Rajesh Rana, Presidentof Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerceand Michael Hollingsworth, COO of HanweckAssociates, NY who reiterated his company’scommitment to its operations in Belfast. “We are excited about the opportunityprovided by Belfast and will continue to growour operations there,” he said.

The importance of our academic institutionsin facilitating social mobility and widening

participation also formed an important part ofthe morning’s discussions, as did the value ofthe creative industries in promoting progress,issues discussed during two panels:Alternate Histories of the Future: creativeindustries and social change in Belfast and AWider Reach: Expanding the Participation inour Universities.

Alternate Histories of the Future: creativeindustries and social change in Belfast.Chair: Paul Moore, Head of the School ofCommunication and Media, Ulster UniversityPanel: Donovan Wylie, Lecturer in BA/MFAPhotography, Ulster University; Frank Lyons,Associate Dean of Research and Impact,Ulster University; and Jennifer Stein, WorldBuilding Institute.

A Wider Reach: Expanding theParticipation in our UniversitiesChair: Maura Kelly, Founder Purple MountainMedia. Panel: Robert Walsh, ManhattanCollege, Prof Adrienne Scullion, Pro ViceChancellor, Faculty of Arts, Humanities &Social Sciences, QUB; Dr Karen Winter, SeniorLecturer in Social Work, QUB; Fr Joe Parkes,Provincial Assistant for pre-secondary andsecondary Education, Maryland & USANortheast and Billy-Jo McDowell, a graduateof QUB.

Investment in the knowledge economy andthe growing importance of tourism to thenorth’s economy were then discussed bysome of New York and Belfast’s leadinginvestors and entrepreneurs including JayneBrady of Kernel Capital who spoke of thebillion dollar business building between

Ireland and the US. Whilst Be The Bridgehonoree for Technology, Mary Ann Pierce ofMAP Digital insisted that the first rule ofbridge building was ‘just show up’.

Investing in Belfast — Europe’s Fastest-Growing Knowledge EconomyChair: Mary Ann Pierce, CEO & Founder, MAPDigital. Panel: Jayne Brady, Partner, KernelCapital, Belfast; Johnny Hanna, Partner &Head of Tax, KPMG in NI; Jack Butler, CFO,MRP, Philadelphia and Belfast; ConorTwomey, Managing Director, Kx/FirstDerivatives, North America

In a World of Outstanding TouristAttractions, Why Should Visitors Beat aPath to Belfast’s Door?Chair: John J. Reilly, Partner, Squire PattonBoggs. Panel: Kristen Moore, CEO,Destinations of Distinction, NY; MichaelStewart, Director, House, Belfast; BillyCondon, VP Marketing USA, Tourism Ireland;Rosemarie McHugh, Director of ProductDevelopment, Tourism NI. This discussion also incorporated apresentation by Kristen Moore, CEO ofDestinations of Distinction, NY detailing howTitanic Belfast captured the imagination ofAmerican travellers.

In the panel discussion on Better, Cleaner,Faster: Building Connected Cities, MitchellMoss, Director, Rudin Center forTransportation Policy & Management tolddelegates, “If a city is going to work, it needsto be a place that people can live and not justa 9-5 city,” an issue raised earlier by BelfastChamber President Rajesh Rana who said the

Bridges to the future built on collaboration


Clockwise from top left: Paul Moore introduces the panel discussion on Alternate Histories of the Future: creative industries and social change inBelfast; Suzanne Aquino of Chain IQ leads the discussion on A Bridge to the Future: Rebuilding Belfast’s City Core; J1 students attending theconference; Rajesh Rana, President of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce

Conference 2019 • 11

city core was ‘not just about shops’, beforeadding, “We need to redefine our definiton ofwhat the city core is.”

Better, Cleaner, Faster: Building ConnectedCitiesChair: Mitchell Moss, Director, Rudin Centerfor Transportation Policy & Management.Panel: Elizabeth Crowley, Chairperson andFounder, 21 In ’21; Gordon McElroy, formerPresident of the Belfast Chamber of Trade andCommerce; Patrick Foye, Chair & CEO, NewYork Metropolitan Transport Authority;Michael Sorkin, Principal, Michael SorkinStudio NYC

Boardroom Dialogues

Breakaway sessions which took placefollowing the morning’s panel discussionsfurther explored a range of topics includingthe journey from division to diversity, Brexitand transatlantic partnerships.

Our 21st Century Cities – From Division toDiversity. Chair: Richard Cushnie, Northern IrelandBureau. Contributors: Rodney Dickson,Geraldine Hughes, Bill Page, Sophie Colgan,Pauline Turley, Susan Elliott, President &CEO, National Committee on America ForeignPolicy, Sarah McBride, Betaworks, NY

Boosting Irish American-Belfast businessconnections in a time of uncertainty:Beating the Brexit Blues. Chair: John Lee, Executive Director, GoodmanMedia International. Contributors: Hon.Francine A Schott, J.S.C. (ret.) Purcell,Mulcahy & Flanagan LLC, Sean Gaffey, Senior

Vice President of the Gaffey Mellody Group atMerrill Lynch, Martin Mallon, South BankSquare Ltd, Matthew Dunn, Member NewYork Advisory Board, IIBN, New York

Be The Bridge: Lessons I Learnt WhileForging a Transatlantic PartnershipChair: Jennifer Frankola, President, BrehonLaw Society. Contributors: Sean O’Dowd,MD, Silvercrest Asset Management GroupLLC, Tony Donnelly, Managing Partner,Northern Property, Mike Breen, CaraSloan, Member New York AdvisoryBoard, IIBN, New York, SiobhanDennehy, Executive Director, EIIC,Sheila Lynott, Caoimhe Forde, Co-Chair, Irish Network, NY

Manhattan Minutes

A number of organisationswere given the chance tointroduce themselves tothe conference in shortpitches entitled AManhattan Minute.These included:David Beattie,Digital Irish, NYC;Becca Hume,

entrepreneur and founder of TapSOS;Fionntán Hargey, Director of the MarketDevelopment Association who made theargument for a $10m visitor hostel in the area;Pauline Turley, Vice Chair of the Irish Arts

Center; and Nicholas Malito ofthe Irish Business

Organisation of NewYork.

and co-operation

"We have made many newfriends, developed contactsand opened doors over anamazing three days. Back next year!"

––Rajesh Rana, President of Belfast

Chamber and Director of Andras Hotels

Clockwise from top left: Investing in Belfast — Europe’s Fastest-Growing Knowledge Economy panel; A Wider Reach: Expanding the Participationin our Universities panel; Fionntán Hargey, Markets Development Association, Nicholas Malito, President, IBO, Prof Michael Alcorn, QUB; Better,Cleaner, Faster: Building Connected Cities panel; Christopher McCausland, McCauslands Holdings, Gorden McElroy, MKB Law, Paddy Doherty,KPMG in NI; Ashleen Feeney, KPMG in NI, Mary Ann Pierce, MAP Digital, Inc, Johnny Hanna, KPMG in NI, Conor McCoy, Brewster FinancialStrategies, NY


Clockwise from top left: Be The Bridge honoree for Investment, Michael George questions the panel on infrastructure in the north; John J. Reilly,Partner, Squire Patton Boggs, Kristen Moore, Destinations of Distinction, NY, Billy Condon, Tourism Ireland, Michael Stewart, House Belfast, andRosemarie McHugh, Tourism NI; Judge (retd.) Francine Schott and Sean Gaffey; Frank Barry, Bloomberg, Mitchell Moss and Rob Walsh; NicholasMalito, President, IBO; Billie-Jo McDowell, QUB; RoseMarie McHugh, Tourism NI; Boardroom Dialogue on Our 21st Century Cities from Divisionto Diversity


Be The Bridge Awards addressby New York State Comprtoller Tom DiNapoli

It is always a pleasure to join you here at theNew York New Belfast conference, acelebration of two great cities with anenduring bond, linked in the past and present. I’d like to officially welcome everyone toNew York State, and as the State’s Comptrollerand Chief Financial Officer, I urge you to spenda lot of money while you’re here! This conference is an important part ofspotlighting and strengthening that bond andhelping to continue to build peace in Belfast. We’re meeting at a very challenging time,against the backdrop of the ongoing Brexitcrisis, which poses a tremendous threat to 20years of progress in the North. And it looks likeit may get worse before it gets better. No doubt, this is a critical time in Irishhistory, and in terms of the relationshipbetween Ireland, the UK and the US. The good news is, New York and Belfasthave a long history of standing togetherduring challenging times. As many of you here know, our New Yorkstate government has had a long-standinginterest in Northern Ireland going back over 30years to our adoption of our Northern IrelandInvestment Law – better known as theMacBride Principles. It had a profound effect on corporateAmerica, on the British government, and mostimportantly, on the ground in Northern Ireland. When the engagement of our New Yorkstate fund began in 1986, Catholics were twoand half times more likely to be unemployedthan Protestants. Today, government statistics show that theold disparities between Catholic andProtestant employment in the North havebeen virtually eliminated. As State Comptroller, I’ve been proud toplay a role in promoting the North’s continuedeconomic and social progress. Our New York State Common Retirement

Fund currently has hundreds of millionsinvested in Ireland, North and South, includinga special $30 million private equitycommitment in Northern Ireland. We recently announced that we are nowallocating the final $7.5 million of that $30million, in a healthcare/hospital companyspecializing in surgical procedures, based inBelfast. And we are looking at additionalinvestment opportunities as well. During my time as Comptroller, I have hadthe privilege to visit Northern Ireland threetimes – once in 2008 at the start of theeconomic downturn, in November of 2014, andagain in 2017, where I was proud to receive anhonorary doctorate from the University ofUlster in Derry. On each visit, I met the leaders and thepeople of the North, and I saw the energy andthe drive to build a stronger community and amore vibrant, diversified economy. I have seen an emerging market with ayoung, highly skilled workforce, excellenttransportation and commercial infrastructure,and the kind of business-friendly environmentthat can foster economic growth. Presently, our deployed investments inNorthern Ireland are in Belfast andsurrounding communities. And while we will continue to look forinvestment opportunities in Belfast, we arealso seeking out other opportunitiesthroughout the North, in Derry, as well asArmagh, Portadown, Coleraine and otherpopulation centers. The New York pension fund’s investmentsin Northern Ireland are what I refer to as our“double bottom line” strategy: Doing well forour pensioners while doing something good. Tremendous strides have been made in

Northern Ireland over the 20 years since theGood Friday Agreement, and peace has takenroot. A new generation has been able to grow upin peacetime. However, as you know, Brexitposes a grave threat to that hard-won

progress. But let me say this. Over the years, we in New York have stuckby you and worked with you, trying to getmore investment in Northern Ireland to buildthe peace and sustain it. And now, in thiscritical time, we will remain squarely in yourcorner. We are in this together, through whatevercomes. We will continue to build upon ourpartnership. We will continue to plant seeds ofinvestment in the economy of the future thatwill help support and sustain all of NorthernIreland. Despite the political and economicuncertainty that lies ahead, I honestly have nodoubt that the long-term future remains brightfor Northern Ireland. The resilient people of Northern Irelandhave faced enormous challenges over the last50 years and have met them bravely andresolutely. I am supremely confident they willagain. There is also no doubt that the bondbetween New York and Belfast is strongerthan ever before. Ours is an unbreakable partnership with ashared commitment to work together to fortifyeconomies, and improve the lives of citizenson both of our shores. We will continue to strengthen thatpartnership in the years to come.

Two great cities with an enduring bond


Opposite page: Four bridge building champions for New York and Belfast were honoured at the Be the Bridge Awards luncheon on Friday 14June. New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli accepted the Be the Bridge Award for Investment and made the keynote address at the event.Actress, writer and producer Geraldine Hughes received the Be The Bridge Award for Arts whilst Mary Ann Pierce was presented with the BeThe Bridge Award for Technology. Clockwise from top left: Pat Doherty of the New York State Comptroller’s Office, Consul General of Ireland,Ciaran Madden, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and New York State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli; Mary Ann Pierce with Jayne Brady of Kernel Capital; BeThe Bridge honorees Geraldine Hughes, Tom DiNapoli and Mary Ann Pierce; Tom DiGati of Unosquare; Geraldine Hughes with Conor McCoy ofMike Brewster Investment Strategies


Irish American of the Year 2019Mae O’DriscollThe New York New Belfast business andinvestment conference 2019 finished with aFarewell Finale at Harbor House wherecommunity activist Mae O’Driscoll waspresented with the Irish Echo Irish American ofthe Year award for 2019. O’Driscoll, who lives in New York, is thetwelfth person to win the accolade since it wasrevived in 2007. The award recognises those who havedevoted time beyond measure to the cause ofthe Irish in America and was presented to Maeby Irish Echo Editor, Ray O’Hanlon. Mae wassurrounded by her closest family and friends forthe event hosted by restaurateur, Francis Schott.She joins a distinguished and varied IrishAmerican of the Year roster that featuresCongressman Joe Crowley, university lecturerand Great Hunger curriculum pioneer, MaureenMurphy, Congressman Peter King, broadcasterAdrian Flannelly, philanthropist Loretta BrennanGlucksman, attorney and rights activist Brian

O’Dwyer, author Pete Hamill, MassachusettsCongressman Richard Neal, author ColumMcCann, New York City Council SpeakerChristine Quinn, and US Attorney PatrickFitzgerald. Mae, who was born in Lisheen, Skibbereen,County Cork immigrated to New York in 1958and worked in the banking and travel Industries.She continued her education at Brooklyn Collegewhere she received a Bachelor of ScienceDegree in Accounting. After 28 years of service,Mae retired from JP Morgan & Company whereshe was an assistant vice president. O’Driscoll has been active in the IrishAmerican community since her arrival in NewYork, whether organising a benefit for a worthycause, or walking a picket line in support of civilrights. With her brother, Bill, she began raisingmoney for various Irish causes in the early 1960s.She worked with the National Association forIrish Justice in 1969 and became a member ofthe Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order ofHibernians in 1971. She joined the County CorkAssociation in 1983 and six years later, in 1989,she was elected its first woman president. Mae’s care and concern became particularlyevident in the 1980s when thousands ofundocumented Irish immigrants flocked toAmerica’s shores. In response to the crisis facing theseimmigrants, the Irish Immigration ReformMovement was founded at a Cork Associationmeeting in May, 1987. O’Driscoll is a charter member of the IIRM

and served as chairperson of the New York StateBranch. As a result of the IIRM’s dedicated efforts theImmigration Act of 1990 was enacted providingthousands of visas for the Irish through theMorrison Visa program. O’Driscoll is also afounding member of the Emerald IsleImmigration Center and continues to serve theIrish immigrant community in her work asdirector and trustee of the EIIC. A dedicatedmember of the County Cork B.P. & P.Association, in addition to being first womanpresident, O’Driscoll has served the associationin various capacities through the years.

Irish American of the Year Mae O’Driscollreceives her award from Irish Echo editor RayO’Hanlon

Family and friends of Mae O’Driscoll at theFarewell Finale of NYNB 2019

report - aisling events · 2019-07-01 · peace lines, across oceans, across a divided america and...

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