A big theme in my speeches across Western US is the formative impact that Irish people & those of Irish descent have had in shaping modern day Western US. This is very true in #SanFrancisco where there is huge Irish heritage & where we have a vibrant @GlobalIrish community today! 
Around 11% of the Bay Area is of Irish descent & there is a large Irish born community too. The people to people connections between the region & Ireland are very strong as evidenced by multiple sister city connections: @sfgov & @corkcitycouncil; @CityofSanJose & @DubCityCouncil
@SantaClaraCity & @LimerickCouncil are sister cities, as are @CityofMenloPark & @GalwayCityCo! Quick shout out to Kathy Watanabe @Carunningmom, the Vice Mayor of Santa Clara with proud #Roscommon heritage. Here’s me meeting with Mayor @LisaGillmor & Kathy earlier this year.
The Irish have been celebrating our heritage here for a long time - March 2019 will see the 168th St Patrick’s Day parade in #SF! The United Irish Society (uissf.org) organize heritage celebrations incl events in memory of #IrishinSF Kate Kennedy & Fr. Peter Yorke
Meath native Kate Kennedy was the first teacher in #SF to join a union & the first woman to run for office in 1886, despite the fact that women could vote. It was Kate’s US Supreme Court case that established the principle of equal pay for equal work in the US - an inspiration!
@uiccsanfran is a big home for the Irish heritage & cultural celebrations in #SF. The center opened its doors in 1975 & today its mission is to preserve and promote #Irish culture in the SF Bay Area. Check out their website at irishcentersf.org to view our upcoming events.
Correction - their events!
One of my favourie events since arriving was organized by the Irish Literary & Historical Society in SF (ilhssf.org) was a talk on “the Soul of the Potato” where I spoke with the Peruvian CG. Super event that brought together the Irish & Peruvian communities in SF.
Supporting Irish art & culture is an important part of our work along w/ @culture_ireland. I believe that the arts is the best way to talk to the world about Ireland. If you want to know what’s going on in the Bay Area, check out @IrishBayCulture, supported by @GlobalIrish
We have some fantastic Irish festivals here too - two supported by @IrelandinSF: @lgirishwriters which takes place in @LosGatosTown & the @eugeneO08788177 which starts in @DanvilleINFO & continues to #NewRoss in #Wexford. Both fantastic cultural celebrations linking IE & SFBA!
As part of our cultural community we also have a dedicated #IrishStudies programme @UCBerkeleyIES where innovation meets culture! They organize a range of events throughout the year including a recent event with the inspiring Irish poet @muldoonpoetry.
Also important to mention the wonderful Irish American Crossroad Festival each March (irishamericancrossroads.org) which explores some lesser developed themes & histories of the Irish experience in the US & the @sfirishfilm which is a fantastic celebration of Irish film in the Bay!
When I started this I hadn’t fully appreciated just how much there was to tweet about! Four more tweets and then we’re done ... Until more comes to mind!
Tá pobal láidir Gaeilge anseo i gCalifornia idir @CnaGAingil i gCathair na nAingeal agus @Comhaltas anseo i SF. Tagann an pobal le chéile don Deireadh Seachtaine Gaeilge gach bliain agus an teanga á ceiliúradh acu. Is laochra iad Imelda & Caitríona! #Gaeilge2018
The first recorded game of hurling in the Bay Area took place over 150 years ago & today @SanFranciscoGAA is home to a vibrant @officialgaa scene with 13 clubs & the excellent @SanFranYouthGAA. Their home is the club & pitch on Treasure Island - a special Irish home in the Bay.
We have a large, young @GlobalIrish community working for large US tech companies or Irish companies looking to scale. Many are members of @INBayArea, a great business-focused organization supported by @IrelandinSF & @EI_theUSA which runs a calendar of events & regular meet-ups.
Ok ... final two tweets. Two because the final organization I want to highlight do so much good work with the community here. @iipcsf celebrate 20 years this year. Its mission is to provide a home away from home for Irish immigrants in Western US proudly supported by @GlobalIrish
@iipcsf offers spiritual, social, medical, educational, legal, and financial guidance & advice to Irish here. They run several social progs including a fantastic active retirement club & wellness counseling. They organize seasonal events & play an integral role in our community.
@iipcsf is led by the dynamic duo of Kerry-native Celine Kennelly and Donegal-native Fr. Brendan McBride a recipient of the @PresidentIRL Distinguished Service Award. Great people & dedicated members of #TeamIreland in SF delivering for our community.
