A chairde. Dear Friends

I congratulate the Ireland Network Chicago on another fantastic year of welcoming, supporting and connecting Chicago's Irish Community. Your social, economic and cultural engagement is unrivalled.

We had a busy and exciting year at the Consulate welcoming Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland, who visited Chicago in February to donate her literary collection to De Paul University's John T. Richardson Library and participated in the Chicago Irish Film Festival. Shortly afterwards, we, with Team Ireland colleagues from Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, welcomed Minister for Health, Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. We also welcomed Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke and Deputy Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Sonja Hyland in May.

The Consulate hosted and attended many events. Our favourite was the Ireland vs. All Blacks Rugby match at Soldier Field in November, attended by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan, Diaspora and International Development Minister of State Neale Richmond, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason and Deputy Secretary General of DFAT John Conlan. It was not the result we wanted, but it was a great day with spectacular weather, which saw thousands of Irish fans from Ireland, the Midwest and across the United States. At that time, we hosted the Diaspora Consultations, chaired by Minister Richmond, who officially opened Ireland House, the International Famine Commemoration at Gaelic Park addressed by Minister O'Donovan, and other events related to the Rugby game. We hosted a celebration of 10 years of marriage equality in Ireland to mark Pride, events to welcome Irish participants at EXPO and the Chicago International Film Festival and literary events. We also attended IBAM and other events at the Irish American Cultural Centre and at Gaelic Park Chicago, including the fortieth anniversary celebrations of both organisations, as well as several Irish Festivals across the Midwest.

The Ireland Network of Chicago, centrally involved in many of our events, sets the gold standard for all other IN's. The community engagement, social opportunities and support they offer to the Irish community in Chicago is unmatched! We are always happy to support your work though attendance, partnership or the Emigrant Support Programme. I would like to thank the entire Network for your sterling work, in particular Margaret Rose Keating for her incredible commitment throughout the year and especially to the Ball! I want to congratulate Craig O'Halloran and Julieanne Cox on being named to the 2026 Irish Echo 40 Under 40 list.

I wish the Ireland Network every success in 2026

Maith sibh agus le gach dea-guí,

Brian Cahalane

Ard-Chonsul na hÉireann,
Consul General of Ireland