Year 2012 has started well for The Irish

American Partnership.

After the successful completion of our 2011-2012 Annual Campaign, the Partnership has provided grants to schools and community groups in Ireland in the January - March period. Thirty newly chosen rural primary schools and four community groups in Cork, Belfast, Omagh and the Aran Islands received grants during the first quarter of 2012.

The thirty primary schools received $37,500. Fifteen of the new schools were located in County Mayo in honor of Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s visits to Partnership events in Boston and Chicago. A fast growing “Transformational” school - Glengormley - in Northern Ireland represented by Baroness May Blood received a $10,000 grant. The gifts are used to support science education and school library enhancement in rural and disadvantaged areas.

Nearly 600 supporters attended Partnership events in Chicago and Boston honoring Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The second issue of the Partnership/St. Patrick’s Teaching College “Connecting with Science” newsletter will be sent to several hundred primary school teachers in May.

The funding for the Partnership’s Primary School Science teaching program with St. Patrick’s Teaching College is expanding with seven teachers from Donegal and Galway studying for their Science Certificates, a teacher in Kerry studying for her Masters in Science and multiple science teaching workshops held in Mayo. National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and the UCD Smurfit Graduate School of Business have selected the students to receive their Irish American Partnership Masters degree Fellowships in Medical Device Manufacturing (NUIG) and U.S. Multi-national Export Strategies (Smurfit). The 2012 Golf Championship Series will be held in Chicago - May 21, Albany - June 4, and Newport - June 11. Participation in all three tournaments is ahead of 2011. Arrangements have been finalized for the Partnership’s Leadership Mission to Ireland, August 25 to September 2, 2012. All Partnership members are welcome. Group limited to 18. For information, please contact Executive Director Mary Sugrue McAleer at (617) 723-2707.

In Chicago, Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel, the Honorable Edward M. Burke, along with Mary Sugrue McAleer presenting Taoiseach Enda Kenny with a $15,000 grant for schools in Co. Mayo.

In Boston, Taoiseach Enda Kenny accepting a $7,500 grant for schools in Co. Mayo from the Partnership’s Executive Director, Mary Sugrue McAleer.

THE IRISH AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP

First Quarter, 2012 Partnership Activity

A skilled science and engineering work force produces home grown jobs, new indigenous businesses and substantial inward investment. Through innovative science education, Ireland’s most valuable asset, the collective intellect of its people can be applied to its greatest need – sustainable economic growth.

The Irish have already demonstrated an unusual talent for high technology.

In cooperation with Ireland’s Department of Education and Skills and St. Patrick’s Teaching College in Dublin, The Irish American Partnership is devoting much of its resources to improve the appeal of basic science and engineering to Irish young people in rural and disadvantaged primary schools.

Partnership Focus on Science Education

Dublin City University President, Brian MacCraith, speaking at the Partnership’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy Choir and musicians featured in Boston at the Partnership’s Breakfast in February honoring Taoiseach Enda Kenny with Irish Consul General to Boston Michael Lonergan, the Partnership’s President Joe Leary, the Partnership’s Music Director Mary Swanton, and Ireland’s Ambassador Michael Collins.

Nearly 400 primary schools, 20,000 young students and their estimated 1,200 principals and teachers, have and are receiving the benefit of this focus. For the past seven years The Irish American Partnership has funded an extensive hands-on classroom research program to reveal the best ways to promote science appreciation and interest amongst Irish young people. Teacher enthusiasm and understanding is the key to successful programs.

The new “Connecting with Science” newsletter, edited and published jointly by the Partnership and St. Patrick’s Teaching College, communicates science teaching ideas and encourages networking between primary school teachers throughout Ireland.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaking at the Partnership’s Breakfast at the Boston Harbor Hotel in February.

Representatives from The Irish Cultural Centre of New England with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the Partnership’s Boston Breakfast in February.

Islandeady, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Cornanool National School (St. Patrick’s)

Leitir National School (St. Joseph’s)

Clogernagh National School (St. Paul’s)

Cogaula National School (St. Columbus)

Glenisland National School

Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Ballyheane National School

Crimlin National School

Belcarra National School

Ballyvary National School

Errew National School

Derrywash National School

Parke National School

Manulla National School

Ballintubber National School

Fahy National School

North Belfast

Glengormley Integrated Primary School

Inis Mor, Arainn, Co. Galway

SN Eoin Pol II

Inis Oirthir, Arainn, Co. Galway

SN Caomhain

Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim St. Patrick’s National School

Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo Roxboro National School

Mullaghbawn, Co. Armagh St. Mary’s Primary School

Bantry, Co. Cork Kilcrohan National School Durrus

Millstreet, Co. Cork Millstreet Convent National School Duhallow, Co. Cork Knocknagree National School

Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon Rooskey National School

Kenmare, Co. Kerry St. Clare’s National School

Aughamore, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim Annaduff National School

Connemara, Co. Galway Scoil Naisiunta Ard Carna

Dublin University College Dublin School of Engineering Smurfit Business School

Irish Schools Receiving Partnership Grants

January - March 2012

Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, speaking at the Partnership’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast at the Boston Harbor Hotel in March.

In Boston, Baroness May Blood received a grant of $10,000 from

the Partnership’s Boston Leadership

Group. The grant will be used to support the

Transformational School, Glengormley,

and their diverse student population.

Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Alderman Ed Burke and Ambassador Michael Collins with the Chicago Leadership Group at the Partnership’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast at the Union Club of Chicago.

In Chicago, Taoiseach Enda Kenny with Marie McKown of

Tourism Ireland present Aine

Mallaghan with two roundtrip tickets to

Ireland compliments of Tourism Ireland in

recognition of the “Year of the Gathering”

in 2013.

THE IRISH AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP

33 Broad Street - Boston, MA 02109 - (617) 723-2707 - info@irishap.org - www.irishap.org

Gallery Key

1. Catherine O’Connell, Father Clete Kiley, & Bill Gainer (Chicago) 2. Ambassador Michael Collins in Boston 3. Guests at the St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast in Chicago 4. Partnership President Joe Leary & Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Boston) 5. The Boston Boy Choir - Boston Archdiocesan Choir School of St. Paul’s Church in Cambridge (Boston) 6. Peter Hynes, Chris Kozicki, Austin O’Malley and guest (Chicago) 7. Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Alderman Ed Burke, Mayor Rahm Emanuel (Chicago) 8. Brian O’Neill and his guests at the St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast in Boston 9. Irish flag at arch of the Boston Harbor Hotel for the Taoiseach’s visit 10. John Barrett, Mary Barrett, & Frank Harmon (Chicago) 11. Taoiseach Enda Kenny & Joe Kennedy (Boston) 12. Patrick Heneghan & Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Chicago) 13. Fiona McEntee, Monica Muir, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, & Marie McEntee (Chicago) 14. Eileen Kennedy, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Oisin Kenny, & Lisa Griswold (Boston) 15. Guests at the Partnership Breakfast in honor of Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Boston) 16. Margaret Comer, John Theis, Judge Mary Jane Theis, & John Comer (Chicago)

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