Report from Cllr. Ciaran Brogan, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council
Attendance at St. Patrick’s Day Events in the United States
I was honoured to be in a position as Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council to represent the Council and the County at St. Patrick’s Day Events in Philadelphia, New York and Boston from Sunday 13th March to Sunday 20th March. I was accompanied on the visit to the US by Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr. Sean McEniff and by Liam Ward, Director of Services.
As representatives of the Council, we attended the St. Patrick’s Day events in Philadelphia on 13th March, which commenced with Mass in St. Patrick’s Church followed by participation in the parade as guests of the Donegal Association in Philadelphia. Following the parade, we attended a function hosted by the Donegal Association in the Irish Centre in Philadelphia.
Following the events in Philadelphia, we travelled to New York to attend the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Again, the events commenced on 17th March with attendance at Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue, followed by attendance at a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast hosted by the Irish American Chamber of Commerce. We then participated in the St. Patrick’s Day parade as guests of the Donegal Association in New York, where we marched behind Banna Ceoil Dobhair from Gweedore and alongside Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh. Following the parade in New York we attended a function hosted by the Donegal Association.
On 18th March, we travelled to Boston to participate in their St. Patrick’s Day events. This commenced with a visit to City Hall and an opportunity to meet with the Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh. We also had the opportunity to visit the State House in Boston, including the office of the Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker.
On the evening of 18th March, we were invited to attend a banquet in the Boston Convention Centre hosted by the South Boston Citizens Association. On Sunday 20th March, we attended the St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast hosted by Senator Linda Dorcena Forry. Following the Breakfast, we were invited to march in the St. Patrick’s Day parade alongside Mayor Marty Walsh and State Governor Charlie Baker.
During our visit to Boston, I was delighted to receive a cheque in the sum of $5,000 as a contribution towards Ballaghderg Pre-School from Southhill Children’s Fund Inc. They have been a great friend to Donegal in Boston over many years and a good contact in terms of networking with others in the wider Boston area.
It was a great honour to be in a position to attend this year’s St. Patrick’s Day events in the US, and to witness first hand the immense sense of pride evident among all the people we met of their Irish connections, heritage and culture. Over the course of the week, we met many people with strong Donegal connections, who were delighted that representatives from their County had travelled to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day events with them in their adopted cities.
Cathaoirleach Reception for Caroline Faulkner
As Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, I had the pleasure of hosting a special reception to acknowledge Caroline Faulkner, outgoing Senior Managing Director and Chief Information Officer for Pramerica Systems Ireland at Letterkenny Public Service Centre on Thursday 24th March.
Caroline was recently named as the Chief Operating Officer of a new organisation within US based Prudential Financial Inc (PFI) and this will see her relocating to PFIs global headquarters in Newark, N.J. USA in April.
This was an opportunity to pay tribute to Caroline and to Pramerica acknowledging their contribution to the county and not only from a jobs perspective but also highlighting the many charitable works that they have undertaken.
Caroline will be succeeded in Pramerica by Ciaran Harvey, a native of Letterkenny, who will oversee the delivery of software and professional business services to Prudential’s business units and corporate centre functions.
The Mayor of Letterkenny Cllr. Gerry McMonagle and Chief Executive Seamus Neely also spoke at the reception and thanked Caroline for all her support and assistance over the last number of years. They also used the opportunity to welcome the incoming Chief Information Officer Ciaran Harvey.
Civic Reception for Finn Harps Football Club
Members would have received an invitation to attend this reception which had been fixed for Monday next 11th April. Unfortunately due to a re-fixture, Finn Harps now have a game on this evening against St. Patrick’s Athletic. The Civic Reception will be held on a later date. However, it will give you all an opportunity to go along to Finn Park to support Finn harps in their game with St. Pats.
Please note that this date has now been fixed for Monday 16th May at 6 pm.
Agree date for Workshop on Development Contribution Scheme.
Previous workshop arranged for Monday 29th February was deferred. A date is now required to hold this workshop with a review to putting the draft DCS out to Public Consultation.
Suggested dates: Wednesday 13th April – 10 am to 1 pm
Thursday 21st April – 10 am to 1 pm
Wednesday 27th April – 10 am to 1 pm
Date agreed: Thursday 21st April – 10 am to 1 pm
1916 Commemorative State Ceremony
As Cathaoirleach, I was invited to the GPO on Easter Sunday to take part in the commemorative state ceremony 1916-2016. This was a fantastic event and it was a great honour to be present representing the County on this historic occasion. The organisers of the events deserve special recognition for the inclusive nature of the state ceremony and it was indeed a wonderful occasion for young and old.
I would also like to pay special recognition to the 28th Battalion of the Irish Army from Finner camp in Donegal who were leading the parade on the day. This was a further great honour for the County and I wish to congratulate the 28th Battalion on their involvement.
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