May 2011 - Irish American News

Color Page 4444 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” May 2011Ireland Network — ChicagoBy Imelda Gallagher, IN Committee MemberI have been an Ireland Network(IN) member since moving toChicago in 2005 and became aCommittee member last year. Igrew up in Galway and lived inDublin for several years, qualifyingas a Barrister before comingto Chicago where I work in thecellular phone wireless industry. Iknew few people when I arrived. Iheard about the IN and attendedthe annual ‘Ball.’ The IN provideda welcoming environment for me tomeet new people in Chicago. Thefriendships and business contactsthat I have forged through the INhave enhanced my life. IN eventsare diverse and interesting, rangingfrom informal social drinks,to political discussions on currentevents.IN Chicago was establishedin 2003 as a business and socialnetwork of Irish people livingand working in the area. The INCharter describes members havinga “common frame of referencewhich enables the networkto act as a readily accessible andrelevant forum for the sharing ofindividual resources, expertise,industry knowledge, business opportunities,contacts, connections;to share individual experiences,successes and challenges for thebenefit of the membership at large;and to support newly-arrived Irishin their efforts to connect with thegreater Chicago business and socialcommunity”. Most importantly, theIN enables these Irish people tobecome increasing integrated intothe Chicago community which theyhave chosen to call “home” and tocreate friendships.IN Chicago events include themonthly ‘First Friday’ informaldrinks, launched last summer, withan open invitation to everyone to joinus for drinks in a designated locationdowntown. Venues change monthlyto allow people to become familiarwith the numerous wonderfulIrish-owned or Irish-managed bars,restaurants and hotels in Chicagothat have been so gracious in hostingthese events. Next First Friday: May6th from 6pm in the Coq d’Or in TheDrake which was recently renovated.All are welcome.In 2010, IN participated in thelaunch of IN USA with the Networksin New York, San Francisco,San Diego and Washington DC andwith new IN groups now in Philadelphia,Seattle, Denver and Boston,with over 2,000 members nationwide.IN Chicago hosted a DaleCarnegie business skills trainingsession for members, co-sponsoreda boat cruise with the AmericanIreland Fund and supported theChicago Council on Global Affairsin a number of events. Theinteractive website was launched inOctober enabling members to connect,register for events and keeptrack of the IN calendar of eventsand those hosted by complementarygroups in Chicago.IN Chicago held its Eighth AnnualBall in The Drake Hotel inFebruary 2011, and held its secondAGM in March. The monthly ‘FirstFriday’ evenings will continue andthere are speaker events scheduled,including an evening with acclaimedIrish author Colm Toibin inJune. Summertime will see some ofthe events ‘out of doors.’ Check ourwebsite (www.theirelandnetwork.com) or follow us on Facebook tokeep connected.IN Chicago are delighted to collaboratewith other Irish groups inthe city, including the Irish Consulate,American Ireland Fund, IrishAmerican Heritage Center, IrishFellowship Club and Gaelic Park.IN also participates in fundraisingfor the Chicago Irish ImmigrantSupport and Concern.Seamus ByrneSeamus Byrne, current IN-Chicago President, an architectIreland Network Committee Members 2011Imelda Gallagheroriginally from Waterford, believesthat the key to the IN’s success hasbeen the forward looking attitudeamong members. Having moved toChicago from London in 1991, hejoined the IN upon its launch. Attractedby the businesslike mindsetput forward by the founding group,he wanted to get involved and hasserved on the Committee since2009. He says that this attitude isstill prevalent among IN members.“Most of us have a strong sense ofhaving one foot on each side of theAtlantic, regardless of how long wehave been in the Chicago area, andin these days of global connectivity,the dual identities of Irish andChicagoan are easily compatible.Chicago has certainly been a welcomingplace for Irish, and we liketo think we contribute positively tothe city’s rich tapestry.”Helen Garrahy, Past President ofIN Chicago, a Portfolio Managerwith Heitman Investment Managers,moved to Chicago in 2003 and hasbeen an active member. “I appreciatethe familiarity of the group butwith an ever expanding membershipfrom right across the Chicagobusiness community the Networkconstantly offers opportunities tomeet new contacts and friends. INhas a strong foundation and continuesto strengthen as a result ofconsistent member support, enthusiasticvolunteers and partnershipwith the Irish Consulate and wellestablished organizations that helpexpand the reach of the Networkand facilitate greater access andexposure for IN members.”Fiona McEntee, an ImmigrationLaw attorney, who recently openedher own law firm, became an INCommittee member last year. “Ihad been living in Chicago for a fewyears before I discovered the IN. Thefirst event I attended was the BlackTie Ball. My husband and I met somany wonderful people at the balland as a result, we were keen to stayinvolved in the organization. It isreally nice to feel so connected tocurrent events back home. The INfacilitates this connection directlyby hosting speaker events (politicians/authors/journalists,etc.) andindirectly through our conversationswith members at the many socialgatherings it organizes.”Ronan Keary a newcomer toChicago and works with CB RichardEllis. “I moved here Octoberlast and joined the group shortlyHelen Garrahyafterwards. I have always been veryproud of my Irish heritage and feltvery strongly about retaining thisidentity in the US. The IN gives methe perfect avenue for doing this. Itsmany social and networking eventshave been terrific for building contactsand, more importantly, friends!Coming from the rural West ofIreland to such a huge city withoutbasically knowing anyone can bea tremendously intimidating (andfrankly, terrifying) thing. Meetingwith so many Irish people with similarstories is hugely refreshing. Itreally gives you a sense of a ‘homeaway from home.’ I would highlyrecommend The Ireland Networkto any and all. If nothing else, it isnice to hear people speak and usethe same words/phrases I do…”Niamh King, Executive Director,Public and Leadership Programs:“The IN has been a terrific partnerto The Chicago Council on GlobalAffairs. IN members have beenactively interested in a broad rangeof Council programs but of course,also those specifically focused onIreland. The Council was delightedto work with the IN when journalistFintan O’Toole came to talk abouthis book Ship of Fools. We alsopartnered with the IN when thehead of Concern, Tom Arnold, wasin Chicago to discuss internationaldevelopment and the remarkablework his organization is doing. TheCouncil recently worked with theIN and the Irish American HeritageCenter to promote a terrificprogram on the Irish economy thatwas moderated by the Council’sown Executive Director of Studies,Dublin-born Thomas Wright. TheCouncil’s mission has been oneof public education for 89 years,and the IN has been an excellentpartner for reaching out to thecommunity.”Martin Rouine, Irish Consul, hadthe following comments about theIN: “The Irish Consulate has beenprivileged to work with IN-Chicagosince the Network’s foundation. Iam pleased to say that the Networkhas gone from strength to strengthand has become an integral part ofthe fabric of Irish life in this city,providing a place for all people whohave a connection with Ireland tomeet and develop both social andbusiness links.”I hope that you now have anunderstanding of IN Chicago. Wewelcome your participation in INevents and to join as a member. Itis $50 per annum which will giveyou access to the IN Chicago websiteand also the IN-USA websiteto connect with our membersnationwide. For more information,please visit our website: www.theirelandnetwork.com.