EIIC

Minister Joan Burton Visits Queens

 

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton visited the Emerald Isle in Queens on March 15, meeting Irish community members, the staff of the Center and Executive Board Member Mae O’Driscoll. The visit was an opportunity for the Minister to see the work of the Center and discuss the issues that Irish immigrants face.

Over the course of an hour’s conversation, the Minister answered questions from those in attendance, discussed the pot holes in Cavan’s roads and outlined the challenges facing the Government of Ireland in getting the country back on track.

Social Worker Marguerite Corcoran presented the Minister with a beautiful green, white and orange shawl that was made by the Bronx Knitting Group. Photos are available on the EIIC Facebook page.

As always when Irish politicians are visiting the Emerald Isle, the event proved a great success, in no small part thanks to the work of the Consulate’s staff. Thanks to all those who came to meet the Minister, to the Knitting Group, to Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer and to Minister Burton herself.

Advocacy at City Hall and Albany

 

EIIC participated in a number of advocacy events in New York City and Albany over the last few weeks, highlighting the difficulties that immigrants face and encouraging legislators to enact solutions.

EIIC was well represented at the NYIC’s Annual Day of Action on April 17 at City Hall. Staff, including Executive Director Siobhan Dennehy and Director of Legal Services John Stahl, Esq., met with city politicians to discuss the issues facing immigrants in New York City. The Center also brought a group of community members who joined over 200 immigrants at the event.

On March 14 EIIC staff and a bus full of community members went upstate to participate in the Immigrants’ Day of Action in Albany. The event was organized by New York Immigration Coalition of which the Center is an active and engaged member. Thanks to all of those who traveled and delivered a message to legislators about the needs of immigrants in New York.

Photos of both advocacy days are available on the EIIC Facebook page.

St. Patrick’s Day Roundup

 

Comptroller John Liu honors Community Members

Emerald Isle would like to recognize Rosemary Lombard, Peter Quinn and Pádraig Ó Cearúill who were honored by Comptroller John Liu this March. They are great ambassadors for their community and worthy recipients.

City Council Irish Heritage Night

Emerald Isle Staff and Board were present at the City Council’s Irish Heritage Night on March 27th at the New York Historical Society. Congratulations to the honorees Chris Matthews and Sheila Lynott-Houircan, and the Queens Sanitation worker and Irish scholar Ed Shevlin who was presented to the audience. Detective Kevin Brennan and Detective Kevin H. Herlihy were also recognized for their wonderful service to the NYPD.

Woodlawn Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

Congratulations to the organizers of the inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Woodlawn. The Parade was a great success and will undoubtedly grow even stronger over the coming years. EIIC participated with the Merchants Association who created a banner for the Parade. Thanks to all of those involved.

Saint Patrick’s Parade in Queens

Board Member Peter Quinn had the honor of being the Grand Marshal for this year’s St. Pats for all Queens Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, leading it through Sunnyside and Woodside. The popular event was attended by many of the Center’s staff.

Irish American Legislators Society

Congratulations to Chair Brian O’Dwyer who was honored by the Irish American Legislators Association at Hibernian Hall in Albany on March 12. The event was preceded by a lunch, hosted by Jeff Cleary of the Irish American Heritage Museum, to mark the event.

The White House Reception

Chair Brian O’Dwyer was present for the meeting of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the President Barack Obama, and the customary presentation of a bowl of shamrock to the President.

March 11, Humanity’s Opposites – Beginning with Ireland, Aesthetic Realism Theatre Special Event

Humanity’s Opposites—Beginning with Ireland
An Aesthetic Realism Theatre Company production
of Eli Siegel’s great 1971 lecture on Sean O’Casey’s

Sunday, March 11, at 2:30 PM
Aesthetic Realism Foundation,
141 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012

For reservation call: (212) 777-4490 – Contribution $15

What is the meaning for our lives to be found in the literature, culture, and history of Ireland ? This stirring presentation will feature part of a lecture by the American critic and poet Eli Siegel of Sean O’Casey’s drama “Juno and the Paycock,” with scenes from the play. There will also be much-beloved Irish songs sung and commented on, such as “Molly Malone” and “Wearin’ o’ the Green.” And more, including “Good Will: The Greatest Practicality,” by Ellen Reiss, showing how the need for good will has been urgent throughout Irish history.

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with scenes from the play

And–Irish Songs—with comment

And–”Good Will: The Greatest Practicality” by Ellen Reiss

 


 

2012 Briscoe Awards will take place on Monday January 30th at the “21 Club”, 6pm

View Photos from 2012 Briscoe Awards

For Immediate Release

1/19/2012

Emerald Isle Immigration Center will honor Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Sandra March, Trustee of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System at the 19th Annual Robert Briscoe Awards to be held at the “21 Club” on January 30th. The event celebrates the contribution of a member of the New York’s Jewish Community to better the lives of immigrants. Robert Briscoe, after whom the award was named, was elected the first Jewish Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1956.

Brian O’Dwyer, Esq. Chairman of the Emerald Isle said of the honorees that: “Each has contributed a great deal to immigrants in their respective areas. Sandra March has worked to educate immigrants and improve the education system. Marty Markowitz has welcomed immigrants to Brooklyn and worked with them closely throughout his career.” The event has previously honored such luminaries as Senator Charles Schumer, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Broadcaster Gabe Pressman.

Robert Briscoe was at the forefront of the movement for Irish Independence at the beginning of the Twentieth Century and played a significant role in the early days of the Irish Free State. He accompanied Eamon de Valera on his vital diplomatic mission to New York in 1919. Following the creation of Fianna Fáil he became a Member of Parliament and served until 1965, after which his seat was won by his son Ben.

The event supports the vital work of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center in assisting immigrants and supporting those on the margins of our community. Since its foundation in 1988, the Center has served the most vulnerable immigrants, providing legal services, seniors’ programs and comprehensive social services to the Tri-State Area. Over its twenty-four years in operation, Emerald Isle has worked to ease the pressure of immigration and to improve the position of immigrants in the US.

Reservations for the event are required and admittance is $125, with all net proceeds going to support the work of Emerald Isle. The reception will begin at 6pm and finish at 8pm.

RSVP online or for more information on the event and possible sponsorships contact Eoin Delap, Development Coordinator. Email: edelap@eiic.org; or phone: (718) 478 5502 ext 204.

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