In the early 1990s, the Morrison Visa program opened the door for thousands of young Irish people to live and work in the United States. Now, three decades later, beneficiaries Elaine Brennan and Feargal O’Sullivan are leading the charge to celebrate Congressman Bruce Morrison’s enduring legacy.
In the latest episode of "The Irish Stew Podcast", hosts John Lee and Martin Nutty explore the enduring impact of the Morrison Visa program — an immigration initiative that, in the early 1990s, gave thousands of Irish people the opportunity to live and work in the United States.
The episode features Feargal O’Sullivan, CEO of the outsourced sales and marketing firm USAM, and Elaine Brennan, Executive Director of Global Strategic Partnerships at Northwell Health. Both came to America through the Morrison Visa program, championed by former U.S. Congressman Bruce Morrison, and have gone on to achieve major professional success in finance, healthcare, and international business.
Now, O’Sullivan and Brennan are part of a stellar group of diaspora leaders behind the Morrison Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring the congressman’s contribution to the Irish-American story. Their signature event — the Morrison Visa 30th Anniversary Celebration — will take place Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the legendary Rainbow Room high atop New York’s Rockefeller Center.
The gala will bring together leaders from across the Irish diaspora to celebrate Congressman Morrison’s vision and the doors it opened for a generation of Irish immigrants. Details about the Foundation’s work and the upcoming celebration can be found on the Morrison Legacy Foundation website, as well as on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
The episode is a moving testament to how one piece of legislation can shape countless lives — and a reminder of the powerful connections between Ireland and the United States.
"The Irish Stew Podcast" will return on September 7 with a high-profile conversation with former U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Joseph Kennedy III.
Listen to the full episode "Celebrating the Morrison Visa Legacy with Elaine Brennan and Feargal O’Sullivan" here:
"The Irish Stew Podcast"
The Irish Stew Podcast is a podcast series focused on stories from the global Irish diaspora — people of Irish heritage living all over the world.
It’s hosted by John Lee and Martin Nutty, and each episode features in-depth conversations with Irish people and friends of Ireland who are making an impact in business, culture, politics, sports, and community life. The show blends personal storytelling with history, current affairs, and cultural commentary, aiming to celebrate and connect the Irish experience worldwide.
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