Ireland’s Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, has begun a visit to the United States, with stops in San Francisco and Chicago, to consult Irish communities on the Government’s forthcoming Diaspora Strategy and to strengthen political, cultural, and economic ties.
Consultations with Irish Communities
The consultations will bring together representatives from across the West Coast and Midwest, including leaders in business, education, journalism, the arts, and community care, as well as Irish centres and diaspora organisations. Participants are expected to share perspectives on Irish identity, nurturing the next generation of Irish-American leaders, and expanding trade and investment links between Ireland and the U.S.
Minister Richmond said he looked forward to hearing “the experiences and ideas” of Irish communities, noting the diversity of sectors and generations represented. He stressed that these insights would be central to shaping a strategy that reflects the vibrancy of the Irish abroad.
Economic and Cultural Engagements
The Minister will also highlight the deep economic relationship between Ireland and the U.S., where Irish companies employ more than 200,000 Americans. In San Francisco, he will attend the TechCrunch Disrupt conference to meet Irish start-ups and, alongside Mayor Daniel Lurie, unveil a plaque on the Rainbow Honor Walk dedicated to Roger Casement. Casement becomes only the second Irish figure, after Oscar Wilde, to be commemorated on the landmark trail honouring LGBTQ+ icons.
In Chicago, Richmond will formally open the new Ireland House, a shared facility for the Consulate General and IDA Ireland, delivered under the Government’s Global Ireland programme to expand Ireland’s international presence.
Strengthening Irish-American Links
California and Illinois together are home to an estimated 3.6 million people of Irish descent, making them key centres for diaspora engagement. Richmond noted that more than 300 Enterprise Ireland client companies already operate across the two states, employing around 34,000 people, underscoring the scale of Irish business activity in the U.S.
“There is a lot to celebrate when it comes to the Irish-U.S. relationship,” Richmond said, adding that the diaspora strategy will build on these strong foundations to ensure Ireland’s global community remains a central part of its future.
Sources: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [Gov.ie]; IrishCentral; Irish Echo.
