Irish America 250

10/06/2026

A message from our friends at The Irish American Power 250:

The Irish American Power 250 highlights influential leaders of Irish heritage shaping business, politics, and culture today. We will celebrate their contributions at a landmark gala in New York in February 2027, recognizing the 250 honorees alongside our Outstanding Contribution and Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

Nominate leaders of Irish or Irish American heritage who are shaping business, politics, or culture for consideration.

Deadline: Friday, October 9th, 2026.

For all the details, visit https://irishamericanpower250.com.

10/01/2026

"When William Joseph McNally left his home in County Cavan for America, he was just eighteen years old. Like so many young Irishmen of his generation, he crossed the Atlantic with little more than hope, determination, and dreams of building a better life. He could never have imagined that within a few years, the world would be engulfed in the Great War and that his adopted country would call him to serve..."

His grandson John McNally shared William's poignant tale of courage, service, and love - read his Irish story and share your own at AmericaÉire.org. See the comments for details!

09/24/2026

Paddy Meskell left Castleconnell, Co. Limerick for America in 1988 after a chance meeting at a Dublin wedding - and would go on to continued business success in America and also to chair the board of one of Irish America's most successful arts organizations, Solas Nua Inc.

Here's how it started:

"My American story begins at a wedding reception in Dublin. The father of the bride had seated the single people together at one table, and I was lucky enough to be seated beside Darlene, who lived and worked in Washington, DC. After five minutes chatting, I knew that this was the woman for me, and within a year, I had sold my business, sold my house, and flew across the broad back of the Atlantic..."

Paddy shared his Irish story - read the full story and add your own at AmericaÉire.org. See the comments for details.

09/20/2026

Gabriel Donohoe was a young touring musician in Ireland when a relative's offer changed the course of his life.

"A casual invite to America by an uncle took me off the showband merry-go-round and landed me in a country that had the 'pursuit of happiness' in its Declaration of Independence. My first week in the Bronx, and I was hit in the face with reality. American musicians worked 4 to 5 hours a night. Dragged their equipment up 5-story walk-ups on the Grand Concourse. All of that life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness jazz was actually hard work…"

Gabriel would go on to perform with The Chieftains, Tom Waits, Cherish the Ladies, Eileen Ivers, and more. He shared his Irish story at AmericaÉire.org — read the full story and add your own.

09/20/2026

Our Fall Newsletter

“A lot done, more to do”, was once a catch phrase used by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern during his Fianna Fail campaign for government in Ireland back in 2002. And so it is for Irish America 250. The last 9 months has seen so many achievements and successes, and the remaining months of the year ...

09/19/2026

They left Ireland more than 150 years ago, seeking to escape starvation and disease in their native land, hoping to find a new life in New York. Ma...