Bob Devlin takes over American Irish Historical Society Chairmanship

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Bob Devlin, the recently appointed chairman of the American Irish Historical Society (AIHS), believes the society’s building on Fifth Avenue is the greatest “hidden treasure” in New York.

The experts seem to agree. Just a few months back the AIHS building, located opposite the Metropolitan Museum on Fifth Avenue, received the award for the best renovation of any historical building in New York. It is now unquestionably America’s greatest Irish building.

Among those who have visited recently are Taoiseach (Prime Minster) Brian Cowen, who was so impressed that the Irish government donated major funding to the restoration. The newest AIHS board member is actor Liam Neeson, who has signed on as co-chairman with Devlin, a move Devlin describes as “a great step forward.” Also joining the board is American Ireland Fund chairman Loretta Brennan Glucksman.

Among those who have been honored at the AIHS annual sell-out dinner in November are former President Ronald Reagan, U2 frontman Bono and John Cardinal O’Connor among others.

The society, founded in 1897 to inform the world of the achievements of the Irish in America, is today a national center of scholarship and culture. It serves as a focal point of the contemporary trans-Atlantic Irish experience, a place where current public issues are explored, and where the great renaissance in Irish culture is celebrated in lectures, concerts, art exhibits and a literary journal.

The major renovation is a source of great pride to Devlin, a former CEO of insurance giant American General who is a native Brooklynite and a very proud promoter of his Irish heritage.

He took over as chairman at a time when the venerable old society was desperately in need of a renovation. He used his business and fundraising skills to ensure that happened. So far, $3 million of the $6 to $7 million needed funds have been raised.

Devlin is quick to give credit for the astonishing makeover to Dr. Kevin Cahill, the director general and father of the society for decades.

“It is to Kevin’s eternal credit that he stepped forward at a very difficult time to get the renovation done which was very, very difficult. I give thanks to him and others . We are at the beginning a new era,” said Devlin.

Devlin, who succeeded the legendary Don Keough as chairman, sees his task to finish the restoration and to spread the word to Irish Americans across the country that the AIHS is a tremendous resource for them to avail of.

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