MARIBETH Welsh is the executive director of the Irish Georgian Society, which was founded in 1958 to protect was what left of Georgian architecture in Ireland and to stimulate an interest in Irish art, silver and furniture of the Georgian period. In recent years, the scope has expanded to include distinguished examples of architecture and the allied arts of all periods in Ireland.

A native of New York, Welsh grew up on Long Island and then pursued a career in the beauty business, where she ultimately became the vice president of marketing for Clinique Labs, the groundbreaking division of Estee Lauder.

After 21 years, Welsh dove into the non-profit world in a variety of pivotal roles, including director of special events for the Legal Aid Society in New York before being tapped as executive director of the Irish Georgian Society.

Under her leadership, the society has not only expanded its membership but has also become a marquee name among the most respected architectural conservation and preservation organizations in the country.

With sellout events in New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago and Palm Beach, along with the publication of spectacular books and the organization of trips to Ireland, Welsh has done much to promote Irish culture in the U.S. while engaging thousands in the pursuit of preserving Ireland’s architectural masterpieces.

Welsh’s maternal grandparents were born in Dingle, Co. Kerry; her mother was born in the U.S., but raised in Ireland. Her father’s ancestors came to the U.S. in the early 1800s. She is a member of Glucksman Ireland House at New York University, and travels to Ireland every year for business.

“I am lucky — my job enables me on a aily basis to play a role in preserving Ireland’s deep cultural heritage,” says Welsh.

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