Clerys department store on O’Connell Street in Dublin shut its doors abruptly after the business was sold to Natrium Ltd by Gordon Brothers in Boston for an undisclosed price.
The Dublin store was a landmark since it opened it’s doors in 1924. Many Dubliners met friends under the famous Clerys Clock outside the main door, it was a connecting point in the city.
There is much upset over the sudden closing and many are looking for answers. There was estimated to be a loss of 456 jobs.
The Irish Pastoral Center and the Irish International Immigrant Center is holding a Mass of Remembrance for the Irish students who lost their lives when a balcony collapsed during a party last week in Berkeley, California.
The service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday June 22, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, followed by a reception where social workers will be available. A book of condolence will be available to sign before the Mass, but those unable to attend may also sign it at the Irish Consulate in Boston.
Our condolences and prayers are with the families of the young people who lost their lives and the survivors of the awful tragedy in Berkeley at this very difficult time.
Irish Network Boston is delighted to announce our new website and member center. Our site has been completely redesigned and overhauled with the needs and interests of our members at the forefront of our efforts. The new site will serve as a comprehensive information portal and member resource center.
To celebrate, on Thursday June 18th we will be having a website re-launch event, from 5:30pm -7:30pm, at Bostonia Public House, at the corner of State Street and Broad Street in Boston. Please join us! For more information, please visit https://irishnetworkboston.net/events/third-thursday-and-in-website-relaunch/
Here are some highlights of our new site:
We thank you for your ongoing support. Please enjoy your new site and give us feedback on what you like, dislike and what you would like to see in the future.
Continuing a tradition of strong advocacy on behalf of the Irish Diaspora, Irish Network Boston (IN Boston) will participate in a 2-day forum in Dublin, Ireland. Some 200 delegates from 17 countries across the globe will descend upon Dublin Castle to attend the Global Irish Civic Forum on Wednesday June 3rd and Thursday June 4th. IN Boston will be represented by the organization’s President, Attorney Sean P. Moynihan.
“We are thrilled to be participating in the Global Irish Civic Forum. Our key charge is to leverage existing and foster new economic, cultural, educational, art and sporting links between Ireland and the greater Boston area. I look forward to sharing thoughts, ideas and strategies with fellow delegates from all over the world on behalf of the Irish diaspora”, commented Moynihan.
In partnership with the Consulate General of Ireland Boston, IN Boston was established to 2010 as a mechanism to galvanize the diaspora and celebrate what is means to be Irish in America. A key goal of the organization is to ensure that the long standing and strong links between Boston and Ireland continue to thrive and prosper. IN Boston has a diverse membership comprised of Irish ex-pats, Irish Americans, and friends of Ireland. Accordingly, the organization is a natural fit for participation in the forum.
‘From a global view – we are one’
“I am delighted that IN-Boston will be represented at the Global Irish Civic Forum given the important strong economic, cultural and family connections between the city, Massachusetts and Ireland. Other groups representing the Irish immigrant advice centres and community organisations in Massachusetts will also add to the richness of the debate,” commented Consul General of Ireland Boston Breandán Ó Caollaí.
IN Boston is a member of a parent organization Irish Network USA (IN USA) which includes 19 additional city chapters throughout the United States. IN USA President Steve Lenox will also be attending the forum.
“Irish Network USA continues to seek new ways to engage the Irish Diaspora across the United States through business, culture, education and sport,” stated Steve Lenox. “We look forward to not only sharing what has worked for us, but more importantly learning from, and developing meaningful relationships with, other organizations with similar goals from around the globe.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan TD and Minister for Diaspora Affairs Jimmy Deenihan TD.
The concept for the 2-day forum is set out in the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs’ “Global Irish – Irish Diaspora Policy” https://www.dfa.ie/media/globalirish/global-irish-irelands-diaspora-policy.pdf and is being coordinated and sponsored by the Clinton Institute for American Studies at University College Dublin (UCD). On behalf of the Irish government, the policy is being spearheaded by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan TD and Minister for Diaspora Affairs Jimmy Deenihan TD, both of whom will participate and formally address the forum delegates. The Department describes the forum as “an opportunity for organisations supporting the Irish diaspora abroad to come to Dublin to discuss their work with these communities. It is anticipated the Forum will discuss issues such as new Irish emigrants, Irish identity and heritage, reaching out to Irish citizens abroad and assisting emigrants to return to Ireland.”
“The fact of the matter is that with each generation we see fewer and fewer Irish immigrants to the United States. In addition, there are those who are here and, voluntarily or otherwise, choose to return home. Consequently, I believe the Diaspora policy, and this Forum as a manifestation of it, is critical as a means by which to effectuate our responsibility and desire to support not only our present immigrant population but also those emigrants who are returning to Ireland. From a global view, we are one,” added Moynihan.
Additionally, according to the Irish government, “Global Irish defines the Government’s role to both drive and foster diaspora engagement in a way that:
Moynihan and Lenox also look forward to identifying key issues which can be addressed at the annual IN USA conference to be held in November of this year. Boston will play host to the conference which will bring together IN members from across the country on behalf of the Irish Diaspora.
Those interested can follow the action from the Forum on Twitter at: @GlobalIrish @dfatirl and #diaspora15.
More information about the Forum and the Diaspora policy can be found here:
https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/our-work/casestudiesarchive/2015/may/global-irish-civic-forum/