Ireland’s Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, recently expressed her deep appreciation for the work of the Boston Irish community in sustaining and enhancing the deep and valued links between Ireland and America.

O’Sullivan was speaking at the conclusion of a week long visit to Boston where she met many Irish business and community organizations.

“This is my first official visit to Boston,” she said, “and I was truly impressed by the vision and dedication of the Boston Irish community and its determination to continue to enhance the relationship between Ireland and America.

“The main purpose of my visit was to promote educational exchanges and collaborations between our two countries and I was delighted to announce that more than 500 scholarships to assist American students study in Ireland will be available over the coming year.  This is a very valuable initiative in educational and cultural terms and one I am passionate about.

“I also had the privilege while in Boston to meet with a wide range of Irish-American groups.  A common theme through all our discussions was the importance of enhancing our close relationship through economic, cultural, and sporting initiatives. There is a very tangible determination within the Irish community in Boston to ensure that future generations, in America and in Ireland, value the unique links between our two countries and that is a message that I will delivering to my Cabinet colleagues following this trip.’

O’Sullivan met in late May with several groups, among them the Irish American Partnership, the Boston Irish Business Association, the Irish Network Boston, the Irish Cultural Centre, the American Conference of Irish Studies, the Irish Cultural Centre ,and the Irish International Immigrant Center.

“I have long believed that cultural and artistic links are one of the most powerful ways to celebrate and enhance relationships between communities and countries, “ she said.  “The enthusiasm for Irish culture was evident in all my engagements in Boston.  
“As Minister for Education I was very privileged to meet with the American Conference of Irish Studies and to hear of its innovative plans for the future.  The next 12 months will be of immense cultural and historic significant in Ireland and among the Irish beyond our shores as we commemorate the centenary of 1916 Rising and the Battle of the Somme.  

“I knew before my visit began that Boston was a city built by Irish hands.  However, on leaving I now know that not just Irish hands, but Irish hearts and Irish minds, are the reason this is one of the greatest cities in America.  We have much in common, a shared history, shared families, shared joy and shared tears but perhaps most importantly we have a shared passion to make a better future for our children on both sides of the Atlantic ocean.  That we can do, and we will do it together, knitting ever tighter the unique ties that bind us.”

The Irish consulate in Boston contributed material to this report.