U.S. President Barack Obama is not the only Offaly man in the White House, it has emerged.
Tim Feighery, who is originally from Tullamore, was recently sworn in as Chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States by the Attorney General Eric Holder, during a ceremony in the former White House office of Robert Kennedy.
Growing up in Tullamore, his parents Tom and Anne immigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s with their eight children.
The Offaly man was educated at the Christian Brothers school in Tullamore before returning to the U.S. to study law at Fordham University, where he attained a BA and a JD.
Speaking about his years in school in Tullamore, Feighery told the Offaly Express he has fond memories.
“I remember often shoveling coal into the cellars there after deliveries!” he recalled.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Attorney General made reference to Feighery’s Irish links.
“As you know, in Ireland’s County Offaly, where Tim grew up, where much of his family still lives, and where President Obama can trace a great, great, great grandfather - the county motto is very important. And it consists of just two simple words: 'Be Faithful.'"
“This is not merely a credo; it is a directive. It’s a call to live out our most cherished values in a world where the answers to our problems are often difficult to find and even harder to implement. Not only is this imperative consistent with the proud history of the Irish people – it is reflective of the singular dedication that Tim has brought to every challenge he has faced.”
The Offaly man was nominated for the position by President Obama last November and later confirmed by the Senate on March 10, 2011.
A former Deputy Special Master for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001, Feighery was responsible for assessing claims from 9/11 victims from 2003 to 2004.
He has also worked as a senior attorney in the Bureau of Competition at the Federal Trade Commission and as an Associate at Kaye Scholer LLP.
Speaking about his new appointment he told the Offaly Express he hopes it would be seen as a reflection of the his great home county: “You know how life is funny, you go – get led sometimes – in different directions, but when things like this happen I’m just glad that there is perhaps some level of achievement that reflects well on your family and more generally on your community, and for me Tullamore is where I grew up and spent my formative years so I hope it reflects well on that great town and the great county of Offaly!”
6 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.r.pavlick | May 30, 2011, 01:28 PM EDT
What to my surprise should appear the name "Feighery". I too am a decendent of County Offaly and am privileged to be a "Feighery". My father comes from Cloghan, C. Offaly, and my Aunt Bridge still lives there w/her family. Now we have a Feighery in American government. My father would have been proud. Rosemary
simplesandy | May 29, 2011, 11:54 AM EDT
I am an American living here in Ireland for last 6 years. Although at one time the country flourished with tourists from all over the world it is sad to say even I can not afford to stay too much longer. I am in the cork area and as a singer songwriter I wrote a song on my first visit to Ireland. Was in GLENGARRIFF. The title is My Ireland (original) give it a listen on you tube. I Had to chuckle at mamaginnty’s post when she said some Americans got lost. it is no wonder.. the Irish don't post the streets very well .I was lost once and was at a 5 way intersection and not a sign to be had . lol gotta love it . The roads are very bad and narrow also . But I get by and don't drive fast. I know if I have to leave I will cry everyday for Ireland. I love her. And her beauty. I have made some great friends and they welcomed me with open arms. I feel sorry for the Irish consumer though. I don't know how they can afford living. The Irish are very strong hard working ppl . that’s what America was built on . Lot’s of Irish blood and sweat. God bless everyone and if you can get the chance to visit Ireland ,just beware. when you leave she will call you back . xoxo
deburca | May 28, 2011, 09:55 PM EDT
@mamaginnty Unfortunately, though the new motorways are a great improvement on getting around Ireland the days of meandering the winding roads through town after town are over for the tourists. I'm afraid people will miss so much and if they never traveled there before the last few years, won't even realize what they're missing. You have a lot to be proud of and though the financial state is bad, the flip side to that is that the developers have been forced to stop ruining the country! I'll be there this summer and I'm going to make a point to stop by Moneygall!
McNamara31 | May 28, 2011, 09:47 PM EDT
mamaginnty... Beautifully said
mamaginnty | May 28, 2011, 05:10 PM EDT
I do agree Deburca, tourists follow the band, usually Galway, Clare, etc, yet we have such beautiful places all over Ireland. An American family stopped outside my cottage asking for directions last year, they had taken a wrong exit on the motorway, had never heard of Co Kilkenny but were delighted and stayed a few days in our village. There are so many places untouched by the tourist trade. I am very proud of my beautiful country no matter what financial state we are in just now. Like the words in a song, we will pick ouselfs up, dust ourselves down and start all over again.
deburca | May 28, 2011, 01:44 PM EDT
I love it that Tim Feighery is being referred to as "the Offaly man"! President Obama has put County Offaly on the map for Americans, the vast majority of whom had never been aware it existed. Before this week Mr. Feighery probably would have simply been referred to as having Irish roots.