United States Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin was feted as a 2025 inductee to a fellowship that includes luminaries like former President Mary McAleese,  Former US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, Editor in Chief of Glamour, Samantha Barry and  Playwright, Producer, & Showrunner of Derry Girls, Lisa McGee.  

The Irish American Partnership (the Partnership) reimagines the old-world tradition of Nollaig na mBan  [women's Christmas] while remaining true to the heart of the January 6th holiday —an enthusiastic  celebration of women, their strengths, their dedication, and their leadership.  

Said Partnership President and CEO Mary Sugrue, "We have proudly reclaimed Nollaig na mBan as an  opportunity to recognize women’s leadership and its indelible impact in our communities and our world." 

"We are honored to welcome home Ambassador Claire Cronin as our diplomatic vanguard of women’s  leadership. Her distinguished career highlights her exceptional ability to lead and her unwavering  dedication to public service," Sugrue continued. 

After warm remarks welcoming the Ambassador back to Massachusetts by Lieutenant Governor Kim  Driscoll, and former Congressman Joe P. Kennedy III, Ambassador Cronin met with an enthusiastic and  warm reception for the assembled audience which included many members of the Massachusetts House  of Representatives.  

In a wide-ranging discussion with Professor Mary C. Murphy of the Irish Institute at Boston College, the 2025 Nollaig na mBan honoree spoke warmly about the people of Ireland, reflected on her extraordinary  career, and congratulated the Partnership on its impactful work at the grassroots level, supporting  education across the island of Ireland. 

In honor of her achievements, the Irish American Partnership made a grant to the Virgin Mary Boston  National School in Ballymun, Dublin, where the Ambassador was hosted in 2023.  

For more than a decade, the Irish American Partnership has welcomed exemplars of women’s leadership  at these January events in Boston, Washington, DC, and Chicago, honoring former President Mary McAleese, former President Mary Robinson, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN and Administrator of  USAID Samantha Power, Mary Davis CEO of Special Olympics International, Playwright, Producer, Writer  and Creator of Derry Girls Lisa McGee, Ireland’s Ambassador to the U.S. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Actor and  Executive Producer Geraldine Hughes, former Garda Chief Inspector Kathleen O’Toole, Condé Nast Global  Editorial Director of Glamour, Samantha Barry, and Caitriona Perry, Chief Presenter of BBC News. 

For more on the Irish American Partnership please visit www.irishap.org 

# # # 

ABOUT THE IRISH AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP  

Dedicated to connecting Irish America and friends of Ireland to their heritage through targeted giving – we invest in education, community development, and peace initiatives across the island of Ireland. Since  our inception in 1986, our supporters have raised more than $58 million for young people and  communities, North and South, empowering and educating the next generation of global leaders.  

The Partnership provides targeted grants to schools, provides university access scholarships, funds  education centers for homeless youth, supports peace and reconciliation initiatives in Northern Ireland,  and champions Gaelic games, Irish arts, culture, and more. The Partnership is a dynamic, grassroots  organization endorsed by leaders across education, community, and government sectors.  More: www.irishap.org.