Reaffirming the Many and Deep Ties Between Ireland and America.
News June 06, 2025 by Irish Echo Staff
As I undertake my first official visit to the United States as the Minister of State for Diaspora and International Development this week to engage with Ireland’s diaspora, I am reminded of the rich foundation of ancestral ties and close economic, diplomatic and political links that have developed between Ireland and America.
These links predate the foundation of both countries. For centuries, Irish immigrants have come to the U.S., making this country their home, and contributing to every aspect of life, work and society. It is amazing to note that over half of all U.S. Presidents have ancestry rooted in the island of Ireland.
In turn, events in the U.S. had a huge influence on Ireland. The ideals of the American Revolution inspired Irish independence movements. Political support from the U.S. was instrumental in the foundation of Ireland. The role of the Irish diaspora here is recognized in the 1916 proclamation of independence and Ireland sent its first ever Ambassador to Washington D.C. following the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in 1924.
The United States’ deep and sustained engagement with Northern Ireland has been one of the most significant success stories in American foreign policy. The signing of the Good Friday Agreement, which brought peace to Northern Ireland, could not have happened without American support and perseverance. As a result, we have seen a whole generation grow to adulthood outside of the shadow of violence.
The depth of our bilateral relationship goes beyond peace and politics, as important as these strands are.
Over the last number of decades we have seen a deeply integrated and mutually beneficial economic relationship develop between Ireland and America; one that is now valued at over one trillion dollars, creating prosperity and jobs for large numbers of people on both sides of the Atlantic.
Ireland is now one of the world’s most prosperous, creative and dynamic economies, with the U.S. our most significant trading and investment partner. Our companies invest more than $350 billion in America, delivering over 200,000 jobs located across all 50 states. In return, more than 900 US-owned firms have their European headquarters in Ireland, providing 180,000 jobs.
A rising tide lifts all boats and the Irish Government is determined to protect and deepen this relationship, which delivers significant benefits for both countries and peoples.
We do not want to see disruption with tariffs and uncertainty. Tariffs are counter-productive; they drive inflation, hurting consumers on all sides. Now is the time to get into a substantive, calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States. This is also the position of the EU. I welcome the pause in further threatened U.S. tariffs of 50% until July 9 to allow negotiations to take place.
The EU-U.S. trade and investment relationship is the biggest in the world. More than €4.2 billion worth of goods and services are traded between the EU and U.S. daily. Disrupting this deeply integrated relationship will have serious consequences for all concerned.
The EU has outlined its willingness to negotiate a zero-for-zero tariff agreement with the U.S. and remains committed to constructive negotiations with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade. Ireland supports this position and will continue to advocate for such an outcome.
The current uncertainty does not define our relationship however. Regardless of the outcome, our ambition remains to strengthen our political, cultural, economic and trade relationship with the U.S. at all levels.
We have a valued diaspora in America. Over 31.5 million people claim Irish ancestry here. The main purpose of my visit this week is to hear from this community and to ensure our relationship with Irish America is a dynamic one that meets their needs and can adapt to evolving circumstances. This will be the first of many consultations in the United States this year as the Government develops its new Diaspora Strategy to support our Irish community overseas.
We are also committed to supporting our communities and strengthening ties through an increased presence in America. So far this year, Ireland has appointed our three newest Honorary Consuls – in Detroit, Michigan, Orlando, Florida and Buffalo, New York. This brings our total number of Honorary Consuls to 14; each playing a vital role in promoting Ireland, supporting Irish communities and strengthening the bonds between those communities and Ireland.
The growth of our Honorary Consul network is just one element of the Irish Government’s commitment to enhance our presence across the United States.
The openings of our new Ireland House in New York last September and another in Chicago in March, is another expression of this commitment and has facilitated even greater engagement with our diaspora in those regions as well as promoting our business links through our excellent State Agencies, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Bord Bia.
Next year America will celebrate 250 years of independence. It will be a great occasion that will provide an opportunity for reflection
on the significant contribution of Irish America as we mark such an important anniversary.
We are living in turbulent times, but one thing that remains true and continues to hold is the strong bond of friendship that exists between Ireland and the United States of America. Ireland has played a significant role in the story of America, a role we wish to continue long into the future.
Neale Richmond TD is Minister of State at Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for Diaspora and International Development.
Lost a great friend and top Hibernian. I’ve known Jimmy for 25 yrs and we fought many a battle together. Its now your time for some rest, God bless you, Jimmy, we are all better to have met you.
This Irish whiskey BBQ sauce recipe will have your guests licking their fingers with delight. Getty
Irish whiskey and BBQ sauce are a match made in heaven for beef, chicken, ribs, lamb, kebabs, burgers, sausages… anything you fancy!
Happy barbecue season! I thought that I’d give you my special BBQ sauce and basting sauce recipes, which will help turn your barbecue into something really special.
Both sauces can be used for beef, chicken, ribs, lamb, kebabs, burgers, sausages – everything really except fish (you can if you wish – but I wouldn’t).
The first thing to note is that you should not coat your meat with your barbecue sauce until it is almost finished cooking. The reason for this is that the sugars and tomatoes in a BBQ Sauce will caramelize and burn on the outside of the meat before it is actually cooked on the inside.
Instead, you use a basting stock while it is cooking to keep it moist and add flavor. Use a 1” paintbrush to coat the basting sauce over the meat as it is cooking.
When your food is cooked, brush the BBQ sauce over the meat and then give it another few minutes on the grill to glaze and finish the flavoring.
Simply put everything in a pot and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and let it cool completely before using it to moisten your meats as they cook.
Irish whiskey BBQ sauce recipe
Ingredients:
50ml/quarter-cup olive oil
1 medium onion
5 cloves garlic
1 red chili (deseeded)
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 green pepper
2x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
50g/ 2 oz brown sugar
4 tbsp honey
50ml/quarter cup soy sauce
300ml/ 2 cups tomato ketchup
100ml/ 1 cup brown sauce
1 tbsp Treacle
1 tbsp Sesame OIl
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Worchester sauce
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Juice and zest of 1 orange
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
½ tsp cracked black pepper
100ml/ 1 cup water
100ml/ 1 cup Irish whiskey
Method:
Chop all the vegetables roughly and put them into a large pot.
Add all the other ingredients. Bring everything to the boil.
Turn down the heat and simmer the sauce for 30 minutes.
Blitz the cooked sauce in a food processor and it’s ready to use straight away or, if you have the time, put it in the fridge overnight to help the flavors develop.
Simply brush the sauce over your meat (when it is cooked to your liking) and give it another few minutes on the barbecue to let it add that shiny, crispy, tasty glaze that will have your guests licking their fingers with delight.
Both sauces can be used for beef, chicken, ribs, lamb, kebabs, burgers, sausages – everything really except fish (you can if you wish – but I wouldn’t).
My BBQ Sauce is also excellent for rubbing on Chicken Wings for roasting in the oven.
Coat them well and cook, uncovered, in a pre-heated medium oven (around 150°C or 300°F) for about 25 minutes.
Both sauces can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for up to a week.
Memorial to 22 Irish Hunger Strikers Deaths Glasnevin Cemetery
O’Hara was born in Bishop Street, Derry, Northern Ireland. He joined Official IRA-aligned faction of Na Fianna Éireann in 1970, and in 1971, one of his brothers Sean was interned in Long Kesh.[1] In early 1971 he joined the local Official Sinn Féin cumann in the Bogside.[3] In late 1971, at the age of 14, he was shot and wounded by a soldier while manning a barricade.[1][4] Due to his injuries, he was unable to attend the civil rights march on Bloody Sunday but watched it go by him in the Brandywell, and the events of the day had a lasting effect on him.[1]
In October 1974, O’Hara was interned in Long Kesh, and on his release in April 1975 he joined the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) and INLA.[4] He was arrested in Derry in June 1975 and held on remand for six months.[1] In September 1976, he was arrested again and once more held on remand for four months.[4]
On 10 May 1978, he was arrested on O’Connell Street, Dublin, Republic of Ireland under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, and was released 18 hours later.[4] He returned to Derry in January 1979 and was active in the INLA. On 14 May 1979, he was arrested and was convicted of possessing a hand grenade. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in January 1980.[4]
On Thursday, 21 May, at 11:29 pm, he died after 61 days on hunger strike, at the age of 23.[3][7] Despite a plea from his mother two days before his death, O’Hara expressed his desire not to receive the medical intervention needed to save his life.[7] His corpse was found to be mysteriously disfigured prior to its departure from prison and before the funeral, including signs of his face being beaten, a broken nose, and cigarette burns on his body.[3][5]Raymond McCreesh, a member of the Provisional IRA, also died on 21 May 1981 during the hunger strike.[3] Following his death, INLA member Kevin Lynch took his place on the hunger strike.[7]
O’Hara’s brother, Anthony O’Hara, was also a prisoner in Long Kesh[12] and stood as a candidate during the 1981 general election for the Dublin West constituency. He received 3,034 votes (6.49% of the vote) but failed to take a seat.[13][14]
His sister, Elizabeth O’Hara, took part in a tour in the United States by NORAID. Some in NORAID objected to O’Hara’s involvement stating her brother was a “communist” and that it would tarnish their image among Irish-Americans at the time. However, Malachy McCreesh and Seán Sand, relatives of other hunger strikers, refused to participate unless O’Hara was allowed to accompany them.[15][16] A meeting of the IRSP Ard-Chomhairle following the tour revealed that all the money collected was distributed to Provisional prisoners families, with none going to INLA prisoners families.[15] O’Hara also allowed filmmaker Mickey Rourke to use the story of her brother in a film to help NORAID, however Denis Donaldson disrupted this effort and ultimately the film ceased development.[17] She later married Kevin Kelly and became a multi-millionaire.[18]
