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HISTORY OF IN USA
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IN Chicago
Ireland Network Chicago (IN Chicago) is the longest-established network, having set up in 2003. Spearheaded initially by Bill Godwin of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), the network's objective was and is to provide a means for Irish-born business people based in Chicago to connect with local business and social networks.
IN Chicago filled an important gap, as until that time there had been no group that catered to Irish-born people who had immigrated to Chicago. Its founders believed that a network for Irish-born people to share business contacts, experiences, act as a referral base and drive business for each other and connect as a distinct group, would in turn help them to become more of a ‘power base’ in Chicago.
While the profile of IN Chicago members has changed over the years, with the early reliance on law, accounting and architecture being followed in recent times by new strengths in IT, energy, real estate, marketing, arts and education.
IN Chicago aims to be the first group that Irish companies and individuals look to for networking and a start in the US. Like all the Irish Network groups, it is a registered 501 non-profit organization.
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IN NYC
The Irish Network New York City (IN NYC) was born in 2006, and supported strongly by the former Consul-General and the Vice-Consul for Ireland, Tim O’Connor and David Healy, respectively, in 2006. Using the expertise and vision of representatives from Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the IDA, Ireland House began hosting events in February 2006 aimed at attracting young Irish professionals working in business & finance, law, medicine, IT and the arts & cultural communities in the city.
The group's database was built out gradually, and IN NYC was formally established in March 2007, to allow the Consulate's blueprint to be built into a strong and independent network.
IN NYC aims to be the forum through which the ambition, talent and energy of the many Irish and Irish-American professionals working in New York and beyond is harnessed. It's a dynamic group that contributes to the quality of the professional and social lives of its members and strengthens the overall economic and cultural relationship between Ireland and the US.
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IN Bay Area
The Irish Network Bay Area (San Francisco) (IN Bay Area) was formed in 2008, to serve a community of Irish expatriates, Irish Americans and friends of Ireland built around personal networking and the sharing of professional knowledge and business experience.
IN Bay Area's members and friends reflect the professional and cultural heritage of an Ireland that is skilled, diverse and ambitious. The groups primary objectives of IN Bay Area include: facilitating business networking relationships and career opportunities among members, friends and the wider Irish Diaspora; building and educating the community through regular networking, leadership, educational, cultural, social and charity events; participating in and fostering relationships between indigenous Irish and the Irish-American business community in the Bay Area; and supporting the furthering development of the already strong economic and cultural relationships between Ireland and the US.
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IN San Diego
The growth of the Irish Networks continued into 2009, with the setting up of IN San Diego following a visit to the city that summer by Irish Vice Consul Barry O’ Brien. Spearheaded by Irish nationals Frank Cassidy, Eilis McKay and Neil Mc Kay, the fourth Irish Network in the United States was formally established in August.
San Diego is the second-largest city in California and the ninth largest in the US. It's also the nation’s fifth wealthiest city with a diverse economy driven by tourism, the military, agriculture, and manufacturing. In recent years San Diego has gained recognition as a world class center for biotechnology/biosciences, computer sciences, and electronics manufacturing. Many of these industries have attracted well qualified graduates of Irish universities; and San Diego is now home to a growing number of dynamic Irish people.
IN San Diego presents a platform to engage this resource and to direct their talents and their cumulative energy to promote the interests of the Irish Diaspora, and to connect Irish and Irish-American professionals in San Diego and Southern California.
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IN DC
The Irish Network Washington DC (IN DC) established in January 2010 to serve the community of Irish professionals and their peers in the Washington DC metro area.
With strong support from the Irish ambassador, Michael Collins, and his staff, IN DC has attracted a diverse and expanding membership, many drawn from the World Bank, IMF and the National Institute for Health, and reaching as far east as Annapolis.
Although young, the DC network has provided an important forum through which like-minded professionals in the Metro area can connect through common bonds of heritage and identity.
IN DC’s ambitious calendar of events also aims to strengthen the economic, social and cultural ties between the USA and Ireland.
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IN USA
IN USA was first conceived by the members of the various Irish Networks (IN) across the U.S. in early 2009 and discussions and developments continued through to autumn 2009. Following the Irish Government’s initiative at the Global Irish Economic Forum at Farmleigh in September 2009, an invitation was issued to the INs by Ambassador Michael Collins to meet with him to discuss further the idea of formally connecting the INs under an umbrella organization.
IN USA was agreed upon as an organization in January 2010, and formally launched by An Taoiseach at a reception in California in March 2010.
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| IN Chicago Annual Black Tie Ball |
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| IN NYC - Evening with Mary Robinson |
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| IN BA - Annual Wine Tour of the Napa Valley |
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| IN SD Inaugural Event |
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| IN-DC Launch with Ambassador Collins |
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