Last April Irish Network Dublin (IN-Dublin) was launched at the Department of Foreign Affairs with support from the US Embassy and Irish Abroad office in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Now, one year on, they are celebrating a massively successful year filled with wonderful support from the community, many new members and some excellent events.

This June IN-Dublin members, with thanks to Notre Dame University Ireland, will be in for another treat as they are invited to join a panel discussion event co-hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, AIB, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Gateway to Europe. The event, entitled “The Irish Economy; Gateway to Europe” will take place at the Allied Irish Bank center, in Ballsbridge. The event (more details below) will include speakers Oliver Mangan, Robert Mulhall, Catherine Moroney, Pat Leavey, Louise Cluskey, Mick Murray and will be chaired by Mark Redmond and Kevin Whelan.

IN-Dublin is affiliated with the Irish Network-USA, an umbrella organization with 19 chapters across the United States. As the first group based in Ireland, IN-Dublin’s focus is on creating a link between the two countries and building a network of support for individuals who feel a connection to both countries in some way.

The group provides a place for Irish people returning home, having lived in the US, to come together and share experiences. It also serves as a support system to any Irish professionals looking to move the US, helping them to be better prepared for the transition before they leave Ireland. Through mentoring, networking, cultural and social events, IN-Dublin provides a means by which the Irish diaspora are supported while they are living and working in the US and as they return home to Ireland.

The IN-Dublin board, of 10 young professionals, is made up predominantly of people who have lived, studied and / or worked in the United States and returned to Dublin. As Irish people with a strong link to the United States it is their pleasure and honor to continue to facilitate and strengthen the two nations already strong connections and a very special relationship between the two countries.

Last April IN-Dublin was launched at the Department of Foreign affairs, by Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan and Deputy Chief of Mission at US Embassy in Dublin, Stuart Dwyer.

Over the last year they have hosted several networking and social events. Each month the group meet for a casual gathering, dubbed “Third Thursday”. They have also held parties for their Irish and American friends to celebrate the Fourth of July and most recently hosted a Kentucky Derby party. For Thanksgiving they were happy to be the guests of the Irish American Democrats Abroad. The group also teamed up with the Clinton Institute at UCD to host a fireside chat with Stella O’Leary and Conor Clery on the upcoming US presidential elections.

Now moving into their second year IN-Dublin plans to celebrate the strong network they have created and also invite new members to sign up. You can read more about the group and the membership details here - www.irishnetworkdublin.com.

Members of IN-Dublin, with thanks to Notre Dame University Ireland, are invited to the June 7th professional development event.

Here’s the details:

When: June 7 2016; 5:45pm to 8pm

What: Professional development panel discussion - “The Irish Economy”

Where: AIB Bank Centre, Ballsbridge.

Speakers to include Oliver Mangan, Robert Mulhall, Catherine Moroney, Pat Leavey, Louisee Cluskey, Mick Murray. The event will be chaired by Mark Redmond and Kevin Whelan and is hosted by Ireland Gateway to Europe, AmCham, AIB, and Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

8pm: Afters at The Horse Show House, in Ballsbridge.