Therese Murray, the president of the Massachusetts State Senate, has been named the recipient of the third annual Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award, which was established to recognize the achievements of members of the Diaspora in other countries and to celebrate the global impact of Irish people everywhere.

Sen. Murray, who will receive the award during the second weekend of September in Inishowen, Donegal, has proven herself to be a worthy recipient, noted the award committee, by carving out a very successful career in the predominantly male world of, not just American politics, but politics in general. She has been a champion of welfare causes, mental health, children’s welfare and health, and the elderly. She has been the driving force behind many very worthy state reforms in Massachusetts and has always maintained her close links with the country of her heritage.
Murray’s father’s family hails from County Cork, and her mother’s from Limerick and Dublin. She will be attending the annual prize giving ceremony and the associated calendar of events thaty are held each year in Buncrana in recognition of Tip O’Neill’s Donegal roots and his impact on world affairs.