The Irish Echo is hosting its 4th annual Golden Bridges Awards and Showcase at the Seaport Boston Hotel on Thursday and Friday of this week, Nov. 10 and 11.
Golden Bridges, which is intended to honor the economic, political and social bridge builders between the United States and Ireland, has shown itself to be a hugely popular event in a city and state where, more than any other, the Irish of America have made their singular mark.
This year's awards spotlight Boston and Massachusetts Irish Americans who are building business alliances, educational and cultural partnerships between Boston and Ireland, but with a special emphasis on the Northwest of Ireland and the counties of Derry and donegal.
Along with the awards luncheon there will be a series of stimulating seminar discussions involving key business leaders, public officials and community representatives who will focus of links between Massachusetts and Ireland and matters pertaining to mutual investment.
Among the speakers at the two day gathering will be Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Féin, who will be in conversation with Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen; Massachusetts State Senate President, Therese Murray; State Representative Charles Murphy, and State Representative Eugene O'Flaherty.
In addition, there will be a strong representation from Derry and Donegal, two counties that, while separated by a twentieth century border, have been natural next door neighbors for many centuries.
This year's honorees are Mary Sugrue McAleer of the Irish American Partnership, biotechnology entrepreneur Dr. Susan Whoriskey, JP Doherty, president of Boston's Donegal Association, Art McCabe, Community Development Manager for the City of Lawrence, Donegal native and world class Bridge player Pat McDevitt, former Ancient Order of Hibernians National President Jack Meehan, and activist and award winning author, Michael Patrick McDonald.
As has been the case since their inception, the goals of the Golden Bridges awards are intended to bring benefit to the U.S. and Ireland, and most especially Northwest Ireland and the State of Massachusetts.
These goals are: *To attract sustainable investment to Northwest Ireland by highlighting its many assets including its access to European Union markets, its highly-educated workforce, its rich quality of life, and its beautiful setting.
* To encourage Irish Americans to deepen their understanding of their heritage by visiting Ireland and by learning more about Ireland's culture and history through its colleges and academic courses.
* To keep Irish America informed of the many opportunities and developments in Northwest Ireland, now and in the future.
* At a time of global uncertainty, to offer America the lessons learned by Ireland in its long journey to peace.
The Irish Echo is deeply grateful to all those who have helped make the Golden Bridges initiative possible. We would like to extend special thanks to our sponsors and partners for this year's gathering and awards: Invest Northern Ireland, Derry-Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013, Tourism Ireland, Donegal County Council, Donegal County Development Board, The Irish American Partnership, The Moynihan Group, and the Boston Irish Business Association.
As we gather for the fourth year to present these much deserved awards, we remain resolved to ensure that the next chapter in the unfolding story of Ireland and the United States will continue to tell of how Irish Americans continue to underpin the hard-won peace in the north of Ireland with jobs, investment, bonds of enduring friendship, and mutual economic benefit.
