Greetings from San Francisco Trinity graduate, Robert O’Driscoll, Consul General of Ireland in San Francisco reflects on what it means to be Irish in the US - especially around St Patrick’s Day As long as I can remember, three wonders of People: providing high quality consular support and services nature found across the US Pacific Northwest have to Irish citizens and other clients across Western US. We captivated my imagination – the six-foot high waves work collaboratively with the diverse collection of Irish in Hawaii, the vast snow-covered expanse of Alaska and the community organisations across the region and promote the giant redwood trees of Northern California. As a teenager Irish language, culture and sport. Our Prosperity: supporting at home in Dublin, these places seemed so remote and far deep economic and research connections between Ireland away that I thought it unlikely that I would ever have an and the global leading innovation eco-system here on the opportunity to see their epic grandeur up close and US West Coast. Our Influence: developing strong in person. political relationships, primarily with state, city I joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2007 as a Third Secretary. At that and county government administrations in the region. point, I had completed a BA in History and Political Science at Trinity College Dublin and an MA in International Security and Conflict Studies. A career in diplomacy seemed like a natural way to apply my university studies, but what I It is an enormous privilege and honour, made even more special by realising the dreams of my younger self This March will be my fifth St Patrick’s Day in California. There is a special energy throughout the St Patrick’s Day season (March is officially Irish American Heritage month so celebrations are month-long). had not appreciated was how a career in the Department would broaden my horizons, give me an opportunity to develop a global perspective, and to understand better Ireland’s place in the world. Above all, my career since joining the Department has allowed me to pursue my passion for public service and the ability to make a real tangible impact in my day-to-day work. St Patrick’s Day in Western US is a celebration of the region’s rich Irish heritage. Approximately 2.1 million people in California identify as Irish – the highest number of any state in the US. There are few places in the world outside of Ireland where people born in Ireland have had a more formative impact. Butte Montana was once home to so many Irish people that it was known as Ireland’s I have served overseas in Ireland’s embassy to the Kingdom fifth province. San Francisco was the first major American of Saudi Arabia and in our embassy to the United Arab city to elect an Irish-born Mayor, Longford’s Frank McCoppin Emirates, which I helped establish in 2009. At home, I have in 1867. In the late nineteenth century, Meath native, Kate worked in a variety of roles including on United Nations Kennedy, won a legal case in California’s Supreme Court to matters, the Western Balkans, EU development policy and establish the principle of equal pay for equal work. Seattle economic diplomacy. I have enjoyed every position – each became home to thousands of Irish during the Klondike gold has provided me with an opportunity to contribute, to learn rush in the 1890s. and to develop. St Patrick’s Day is also an opportunity to display the vitality My current role, as Consul General of Ireland in San Francisco and energy of the community today. Parades with tens of has been a uniquely rewarding experience. Operating on thousands in attendance will take place across the region. the US Pacific Coast, some 8,000kms from home, I lead The celebrations will include Irish dance, Irish music, other a diplomatic mission with a diverse programme of work Irish artistic performances, Irish food and even Irish comedy! that can broadly be broken down into three pillars – Our
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