Today I’m going to come in land to #Arizona where there has always been a strong Irish presence right back to the first mining communities that started there in the nineteenth century. Today an Irish castle stands tall in #Phoenix which is home to @azirish_library (pic below) 
@azirish_library was made possible by support from the late Norman McClelland (below) - a proudly Scotch Irish Arizonan. Norman was awarded the @GlobalIrish Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2016 by @PresidentIRL for his commitment to supporting Irish culture & heritage
The library is co-located with @azirishcenter & a very thoughtful & beautiful famine memorial (below) which I have been told is made of old & new stone creating a door to a better future. Members of the community are celebrated at the annual Anam Cara awards each October.
@azirishcenter & @azirish_library are supported by @GlobalIrish for youth engagement programming - important for continuing the celebration of Irish heritage & culture in #Arizona! Here’s me shaking hands with Executive Director Chas Moore ... bit cheesy I admit!
Just two more tweets on #IrishinArizona. There are also a number of other Irish organisations including a busy @IrishNetworkAZ & an @azrosecentre that competes annually at the @RoseofTralee_ - this is Kelsey - this year’s representative from the desert!
Final tweet, #Arizona was home to one of my favourite @GlobalIrish people - the late great Nellie Cashman from @VisitCobh who became a prominent entrepreneur across Western US & who is recognized for her contribution in Alaska, Arizona & Washington State. Incredible woman!
One more tweet on #Arizona ... can’t believe that I forgot to mention the sister city relationship between @CityofPhoenixAZ & @visitennis1. #Ennis was honored in Phoenix earlier this year with a fantastic celebration of Irish music & dance.
