Consul General Michael Lonergan

At Boston College’s Alumni Stadium, Taoiseach Enda Kenny acknowledged and praised the importance of the relationship between the United States and Ireland. Kenny saw two nations united not only by ‘affection, kindness, hope, and history’ but also by a belief in peoples and communities. Kenny’s message to the 2013 graduates of Boston College was not new to the Irish and Irish-American communities in Boston. It is a message that has been delivered in an ongoing and tirelessly way by the Consul General, Michael Lonergan.

This August Michael Lonergan will be leaving Boston, returning to Dublin, as his position with the Department of Foreign Affairs demands. Irish Network Boston will celebrate Michael’s four years here on July 25th with a Boston harbor cruise aboard the Liberty Clipper, a 19th Century Schooner. The cruise is open to both members and non-members—an influential crowd of business, community, and political leaders from the Irish and Irish-American community is expected. Tickets can be purchased at: www.http://libertyclipper.eventbrite.com

Although a highly competent and accomplished successor will follow Michael in New England, Breandán Ó Caollái, Michael has brought life to Kenny’s vision of the U.S.-Ireland relationship. Embracing and energizing the relationships between peoples and communities, Michael has promoted transatlantic links, networks, and connections, helping to develop a number of tangible relationships for both Ireland and the Irish and Irish-American communities in Boston.

During his tenure Michael oversaw two visits from An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, a Presidential visit from Michael D. Higgins, and a trade mission to Ireland led by Governor Deval Patrick. Michael excelled at delivering these high profile events in a way that developed and enhanced relationships and facilitated innovative developments on both sides of the Atlantic. But Michael also skillfully promoted people to people relationships that achieved the same end—the development of beneficial and productive relationships.

In November 2010 Michael, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, established Irish Network Boston. Then, as now, the mission of the network is to connect people in Boston and across the Atlantic with one another. Drawing on the Irish diaspora and the immense popularity of Irish culture, business, and politics in Boston, Michael played a pivotal role in supporting Irish Network Boston in its mission. Whether it has been at the annual Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day parties, roundtables on science and development at the Museum of Science or Biogen Idec, or events that celebrate socio-cultural links such as a reading by Colum McCann or a symposium on Frederick Douglass and Daniel O’Connell at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Michael has been a leader in promoting relationships between people.

Over the past four years both Ireland and New England benefited greatly from Michael Lonergan’s efforts. He nurtured and cultivated the Taoiseach’s vision of cooperation and collaboration between people both here in Boston and between Ireland and New England. Join Irish Network Boston and the Irish and Irish-American community on July 25th to say farewell to Michael Lonergan on the Liberty Clipper!

For more information please visit http://www.irishnetworkboston.org