It was a colourful and busy week for Education Minister Norma Foley during visits to Philadelphia and New York this week.

Minister Foley with Congressman Richard (Richie) Neal at the Ireland Day Leadership Breakfast hosted by Ireland INC at the New York Stock Exchange.

Minister Foley with Special Envoy Joe Kennedy III at the Ireland Day Leadership Breakfast hosted by Ireland INC at the New York Stock Exchange.

Minister Foley addressing the Ireland INC Opening Bell discussion event at the New York Stock Exchange.

Minister Foley speaking at the St. Patrick’s Reception with Chartered Accountants Ireland at the Irish Consulate in Manhattan.

The Kerry TD highlighted the importance of Ireland’s partnership and trade links with America during her visit as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme of events.

During a week of events and speaking engagements in the United States, Minister Foley took the opportunity also to visit local education facilities and education partnerships.

Minister Foley attended the Ireland Day Leadership Breakfast at the New York Stock Exchange where she met with Special Envoy Joe Kennedy and Congressman Richie Neal and discussed the breakthrough Windsor Framework.

Later that morning, the Minister took part in the 11th annual ‘Ireland Day’ Opening Bell Ceremony alongside Special Envoy Kennedy, Congressman Neal and members of the Ireland INC business network.

The Minister also met with a host of leaders in the business sector including Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, IBEC, UNICEF Ireland and SelectUSA.

Over the course of the New York mission Minister Foley took the opportunity to visit Yonkers Montessori Academy where she met with students and toured the school facilities.

The Minister also met with members of the Kerry Association in New York and visited the Irish Arts Center.
A core element of the Minister’s programme involved an exchange with the Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools and engagements and consultations with internationally renowned educationalists.

Prior to visiting New York, the Minister held a number of engagements in Philadelphia which included representing Ireland at the St Patrick’s Day parade, a roundtable discussion on Irish-US education and sports and culture initiatives.

HONOURED

“I am truly honoured to represent Ireland as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme of events, visiting two cities, New York and Philadelphia, which are steeped in Irish history," Minister Foley said.

“I particularly enjoyed rich discussions with many young people both in Philadelphia and New York who eloquently expressed what being Irish means to them in 21st century America and explored potential for future US/Irish education and business initiatives.

“I was also privileged to represent the Irish Government at the 11th annual ‘Ireland Day’ Opening Bell Ceremony alongside Special Envoy Joe Kennedy and Congressman Richie Neal and members of the Irish business community.

“It is imperative that the Irish Government uses its platform on our national holiday to highlight Ireland’s strong, cultural, economic and historical ties with the United States and to emphasise our support for the Windsor Agreement.

“Throughout my visit I was struck by the place the homeland of Ireland holds for many first and second generation Irish immigrants now settled in America. As we move ever closer to a global community the bonds of friendship that tie the Irish/American communities together have never been stronger and it remains a key objective of this Government to continue to foster, nurture and ennoble these connections.

“Over the course of the week I was honoured to represent Ireland during this significant visit and I will forever cherish the warmth of welcome and open hearts of the Irish communities of Philadelphia and New York.

“A particular personal highlight of the trip was the opportunity to meet with so many of the Kerry diaspora at the Kerry Hall in Yonkers and a number of former Rose of Tralee contestants at events throughout the week.”