Mourning the passing of Seamus Heaney
The world was saddened to learn of the passing of Seamus Heaney, Irish poet, playwright, translator, teacher and Nobel laureate on 30 August. Widely recognised as the greatest Irish poet since Yeats, his loss will be keenly felt in Ireland and beyond. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis. |
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Ireland Reaching Out:
Reverse Genealogy, An Irish Case Study
At 10:00 am on Thursday, 12 September, Mike Feerick, Chairman of Ireland Reaching Out, www.irelandxo.com explains how the reverse genealogy program helps trace and locate people who left Ireland and invites them to become part of a new extended Irish society.
The lecture will be held at the National Archives, 7th and Pennsylvania Ave NW, Room G-25, Research Center. No registration necessary.
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The Beauty Queen of Leenane
at Round House Theatre, Bethesda
Round House Theatre presents The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh up to 15 September. The theatre has offered a special rate to the Irish community:
$5 off per full price ticket in any section at The Beauty Queen of Leenane at Round House Theatre. Valid at any performance from August 21 thru September 15, 2013. Use code BEAUTY when calling 240-644-1100 or ordering online at http://www.roundhousetheatre.org/performances/the-beauty-queen-of-leenane/. Not valid on previous purchased tickets or with other discounts.
Further information is available here. |
CCE Irish Folk Festival 2013
The 18th annual CCE Irish Folk Festival takes place on 21st September. Further information is here.
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Convention on the Constitution of Ireland
In July 2012 a Convention on the Constitution of Ireland was established to make recommendations to the Houses of the Oireachtas on how to make the Constitution more relevant to the Ireland of the 21st Century.
On 28th and 29th September, the Constitutional Convention will address the issue of "giving citizens resident outside the State the right to vote in Presidential elections".
The Convention would like to hear the views of Irish citizens resident outside the State. Details, including how to make a submission are available at: www.constitution.ie. The Convention's plenary meetings are also streamed live on this website. Join the discussion! |
Congratulations to Lauren DeBueriis, Washington, D.C. Rose of Tralee
Congratulations to our own Lauren DeBueriis, 2013 Washington DC Rose of Tralee, on her excellent performance at this year's Rose of Tralee International Festival. She did us proud!
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Washington Irish Rugby Club
Fall Season has begun!
Come out in support of the Washington Irish Rugby Club whose season got off to an excellent start with a 45-5 win over Severn River RFC last weekend!
The next game for the WIRFC will be on Saturday, 14 September, at 1:00 pm at Hains Point, East Potomac Park, Washington, DC 20024.
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IMT presents Tony Demarco
& Siobhan Butler in Concert
On Wednesday, September 25 the Institute of Musical Traditions, presents Tony Demarco & Siobhan Butler in Concert at Takoma Park Community Center from 7:30pm - 9:30pm. For tickets and information please contact 301-960-3655 or visit www.imtfolk.org. Experience New York based Demarco's world renowned Irish fiddling accompanied by Butler's top notch, percussive sean nós dancing! |
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Let's Learn Irish New Term
Also, watch this space for details of another Irish language night at the Embassy. Bí ag caint! |
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Robert Emmet Commemoration
The Irish American Unity Conference Washington DC Chapter will hold their 5th Annual Commemoration of the execution of Robert Emmet at 11am on Sunday 22 September at the Robert Emmet Statue on Massachusetts Avenue at 24th Street NW, Washington DC, 20008. All are welcome. |
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The Map is not the Territory
The Jerusalem Fund Gallery hosts the exhibition "The Map is not the Territory. Parallel Paths: Palestinians, Native Americans, Irish" featuring several Irish artists from September 6 through October 18, 2013. For more details see: www.thejerusalemfund.org/gallery |
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New Business & Economic Newsletter
The Embassy is launching a second newsletter, focusing on business and economic news - first edition coming soon! If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter please click on "Update profile/email address" - you can find this link at the very bottom of this email - and follow the instructions. |
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Greeting from Ambassador Anderson
A Chairde, Dear Friends,
I am deeply honoured to have become Ireland's 17th Ambassador to the United States. I take over the baton from Michael Collins, who did so much over the past six years to advance and deepen relations between our two countries.
It is hard to overstate the sense of pride and privilege one feels in taking over this role. The pride is deep-rooted and unshakable. It is our inheritance from those legions of Irish men and women who helped build America. And it is reinforced every day by the contemporary expression of the relationship - by the continuing Irish imprint in every corner of this great country and in every aspect of its life.
We believe that these deep historical and contemporary ties should find expression in US immigration legislation. It is our profound hope that the current impetus for comprehensive reform will be sustained: that relief will finally be offered to the undocumented Irish and a pathway opened for legal immigration in the future. I will be doing everything possible to buttress the range of lobbying efforts under way.
Economic issues will be at the forefront of my agenda. During Ireland's recent period of economic difficulty, the ties that bind our two countries have become even more solid. Both economies have benefitted greatly from growing trade and investment. My priority will be to grow those ties further, continuing the all-out effort to bring trade, investment and tourism to new levels.
As our beloved Seamus Heaney reminded us in one of his final addresses: "We are not simply a credit rating or an economy, but a history and a culture". Ireland's cultural identity truly defines and distinguishes us, nowhere more so than in the United States. I greatly look forward to working with the cultural community to further explore and build that identity.
At any time, and in any circumstances, Ireland's relationship with the United States matters deeply. But these are no ordinary times. Whether on immigration, or the economy, or in dealing with key issues still to be fully addressed in Northern Ireland, the challenges are particularly steep. In each of these areas, I will be relying on the support and goodwill of Ireland's friends throughout the Irish American community and beyond.
I invite you to get in touch with me and my Embassy team and our colleagues at Ireland's Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco, as well as through our network of Honorary Consuls throughout the United States, in order to share your views and ideas.
As I write, I look out our Embassy window at the flags of Ireland and of the European Union flying high over Massachusetts Avenue. I know they will continue to inspire me throughout my posting.
Sincerely, le gach dea-ghuí
Anne Anderson
Ambassador |
Irish singer Damien Dempsey at The Hamilton
Irish singer Damien Dempsey will perform at The Hamilton on 11th September. Further information is here. |
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"Accountability, Transitional Justice and the Case of Northern Ireland"
The American University Washington College of Law will host a discussion on "Accountability, Transitional Justice and the Case of Northern Ireland" on Thursday 12 September at 12 noon.
Participants will include WCL Prof. Diane Orentlicher, former United Nations Independent Expert on Combating Impunity,
Peter Kissel, Esq., Human Rights Chair of the Irish American Unity Conference and Niall Murphy, partner with the Belfast solicitors Kevin R. Winters & Co.
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Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones
Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones appear at the Ri Ra Irish Pub 2915 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA, on Wednesday night, Sept. 11 at 10:00 p.m. Requested donation is $10.00 to benefit the "Salute Military Golf Association." For more info contact 703-248-9888 |
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Irish band Bell X1 at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue
Irish band Bell X1 is performing at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue on 8th October. Further information is here.
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Life's Like This: RTE 2 Documentary
Call for Video Submissions
As part of the "Life's Like This" project, RTE 2 is asking anyone between 13- and 19-years-old to film themselves on Friday, September 20th, and to upload their films to the RTE website to create a user generated documentary which captures life through the eyes of teenagers on that day.
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Lucy Downes Trunk Show
Friday, 20 September, at Julia Farr
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