Tír
na mBláth
Irish Seisiún Newsletter
Thanks to our past editors - Mary Gallacher
and Bill Padden
Editor Tommy Mac 
............
....Today's date and new proverb
“When our friendless standards were first unfurled,
who were the strangers who first mustered around our staff?
Erin’s generous sons.
Ireland, thou friend of my country in my most friendless days…
George Washington
We wish all our readers a safe and Happy Independence Day Weekend
And remember, our Independence did not come free……
click below to listen and say a prayer
Sunday's Seisiún
for July 6 , 2025
‘Tá dúil ár n-anama sa cheol againn.’
Music is our soul’s desire.
.......Thanks again to
Bob Murphy, Pat Quinn, Randy Powell, Art Jacoby, and Kevin Westley
for supplying photos and info about our sessiuns.
Tom,
So everybody who was at last weeks session was not here this week, and visey versa. Last summer, I sat at the bar and chatted with Ashling when no one showed up at all one Sunday. I think there was one other person at the other end of the bar.
Today there were a few more folks but it was still a very quiet afternoon. Nonetheless, it was a nice session, played some different older sets and caught up on our lives and gossip. And more tunes.
Bob on fiddle, Randy on Bouzouki, Rosemarie on whistles and flutes.
Some of the tunes were: Gallagher's Frolic, Lilting Fisherman, Castle Kelly / Down the Broom, Gatehouse Maid / the Old Bush, Tinkers Daughter, Duke of Leinster / Garret Barry's, Micheal Hynes, Boys of the Town / Music in the Glen, Otters holt / Christmas Eve, Killavil reel, Boys of Ballisodare / Tighten the Bolts / Ballydesmond 2 and 3 / Lakes of Sligo, Gurteen Cross, Port Lairge / Garegh's Wedding, Fig for a Kiss, Farewell to Whalley Range to finish off.
Bob Murphy
...........
.
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"That’s
How I Spell Ireland"
Saturdays at 7 to 8 PM EST.
You can listen on 88.7FM or WRHU.org.
For a request please text me on 917 699-4768.Kevin and Joan Westley
Note: Show will be preempted whenever the NY Islanders have a Saturday game
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Old Ireland
St. Columbkills Holy Well
Inistioge, County Kilkenny
Ireland Travel
Take a walk through Ireland's history
Ireland's long and troubled past make it a good choice for history buffs.
IrishCentral Staff @IrishCentral Jul 02, 2025
South Anne\'s Street, Dublin.South Anne's Street, Dublin. iStock
Ireland's long and often troubled past makes it a good choice for history buffs. Its history is far more complex than might first appear - as such, it's the type of place where a bit of local knowledge can go a long way.
Walking tours offer an ideal way of getting to know that history - and in doing so, provide a great way to see Ireland's towns and cities. Just make sure you're well prepared for any sudden changes in weather!
Indoors, there are plenty of museums that deal with Ireland’s past and its long history of nationalism, as well as castles, ruins and settlements that date to Viking and Norman times.
Dublin
Dublin is probably the best place to start. Graduate history students of Trinity College Dublin lead the Historical Walking Tours of Dublin - so these guys really know their stuff. The tours explore the main features of Irish history: Dublin's development, the influence of the American and French Revolutions, the Great Hunger from 1845-49, the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence, and the partition of the country, concluding with the Northern Ireland peace process and Ireland today. Along the way, they call into Trinity College, Old Parliament House, Temple Bar, City Hall, Dublin Castle, Wood Quay, Christ Church Cathedral and the Four Courts.
The Ha' Penny Bridge, in Dublin city.
Trinity College Dublin is best known for the Book of Kells - less famous, but no less extraordinary, is the Long Room, the room in which the book is held. (Apparently, it was the inspiration behind a room called the Jedi Archives in the Star Wars movie, "Episode II: Attack of the Clones.")
Because there is so much history to this prestigious college - as you might expect for an institution founded by England's Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 - a guided tour here is a great experience. Every building seems to have a fascinating story behind it. Perhaps some of the guides studied theater at Trinity: they always seem to add a little dramatic flair to their tours.
Kilmainham Gaol is where one of the most significant events in Irish history took place: the execution of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. This turned the tide of Irish history, creating a wave of public sympathy for Irish nationalists, which eventually resulted in Ireland (with the exception of six counties in Northern Ireland) achieving its independence. Kilmainham Gaol, a 15-minute bus ride from the city center, tells the story of Irish nationalism. In addition to the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, many other Irish nationalist leaders were imprisoned there over the years, as far back as 1796, when it was built.
Galway
Galway is arguably Ireland’s cultural capital. While there, consider Galway Tours, which will show you the history of this fantastic little medieval city. (Although it calls itself a city, it feels more like a town - most things you will want to see are well within walking distance.)
The Claddagh, in Galway.
Places visited include Eyre Square, which is very much the heart and soul of the city, the Town Walls, which date back to 1270; Lynch's Castle, one of the oldest buildings in Ireland still used for commercial purposes; and the Spanish Arch, whose name comes from a time when Galway had a trading relationship with Spain. The tour also calls into some of Galway's most famous landmark pubs such as The Kings Head, De Burgos and O'Connell's.
Cork
It would be a mistake to overlook Cork, the second-largest city in the Irish Republic, in favor of Dublin. The city's inhabitants are a very proud bunch - you'll see them wearing red "People's Republic of Cork" T-shirts. And after a quick visit to the city, you'll see why they have much to be proud of. The city's center is quite small, and so a lot of ground can be covered on foot. To get to see the city and to learn more about it, try Cork Historic Walking Tours.
Patrick's Street, Cork.
It offers three main tours. The Grand Tour gives a brief history of the city from its foundation to the present day. The Monks, Vikings and Normans Tour explores the city's foundation to the rise and fall of the medieval city, from 606 A.D to 1690. And finally, there's the Modern City Tour, which traces Cork's development from its medieval core.
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Traveling to Ireland Are you planning a vacation in Ireland? Looking for advice or want to share some great memories? Join our Irish travel Facebook group.
Belfast
Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, has thankfully been transformed in recent years and has become a popular tourist destination.
There are still plenty of reminders of “The Troubles” (the name given to Northern Ireland's conflict). In addition, there are tours to areas that feature murals depicting republican and loyalist prisoners. Perhaps not for everyone - but some tourists will find the murals fascinating. Be advised, however, that the version of history you get may well depend on the background of the person giving you the tour.
A walking tour of Belfast.
Belfast Historic Walking Tours will help you explore the city's architectural gems and learn about its humble origins. Start at the magnificent City Hall, a symbol of Belfast’s Victorian greatness, and continue down Donegall Place to Castle Lane. A walk along the River Lagan to Belfast’s leaning tower, the Albert Clock (built in 1867), are also taken in.
There is another tour in Belfast called Blackstaff Way which will take you along many interesting streets, including the famous Great Victoria Street. You will also see the oldest bridge in Belfast, find out about the ‘Black Man’ and the Mystery Stone from Belfast Castle of 1708.
Finally, if you'd like to combine drinking with learning, there is also a Historical Pub Tour of Belfast, which takes you on a tour of pubs that have long been part of Belfast’s social and cultural life. The Crown Liquor Saloon (built in 1849) is one of Belfast's best-known and best-loved pubs. It features exquisite tiling, glasswork and ornamental woodwork that transport the drinker back to a bygone era. White’s Tavern, The Morning Star, McHugh’s, Bittles and Kellys’ Cellars are also stops on the tour, and are crammed with colorful characters and stories.
* Originally published in 2014, updated in May 2023.
Note: Whenever clicking on a link you will be brought to another web-site. To return here you must click on the BACK arrow.
Travel Quiz
Can you identify this site and it's location in Ireland?
Answer in next week's Newsletter
Last weeks Travel Quiz answer
Ballybur Castle,
County Kilkenny
Irish Language
Submitted by our own Anita
Le do thoil
Please
(le the hull)
Go raibh maith agat
Thank you
Guh row mah agat
Ta failte romhat
You're welcome
(Thaw fawlche rowath)
Ta bron orm
I'm sorry
(Thaw brone urum)
Gabh mo leithsceal
Excuse me
(Guh moh leischkale)
Ar mhiste leat?
Would you mind?
(Air visthe lath)
Have you ever wondered what something would sound like when spoken with an Irish accent?
I'm sure you've come across that problem before in your ancestry research.
With a website like Abair, now you can hear anything you want in an Irish accent!
Free Irish Classes
The classes are over zoom and are held at 12:00 eastern time the 1 st Sunday of every month.
It is basic conversational Irish and open to learners of all ages, especially beginners.
All are invited.
Hope to see you there!
slan go foill. Le dea ghui,
Anita
click here to register
..
Fourth of July firecracker shrimp recipe from our Irish chef
Just like the Fourth of July fireworks, this recipe for firecracker shrimp will make your Independence Day celebrations sparkle!
Chef Michael Gilligan @IrishCentral Jul 01, 2025
July 4th recipe - Firecracker Shrimp. Getty
This easy recipe for firecracker shrimp is perfect for the Fourth of July and can be prepared a day ahead of time and then deep-fried just after your guests arrive. It's nearly the Fourth of July! It's time to gather with friends and family to celebrate the spirit of independence and indulge in some mouthwatering culinary delights. This year, why not add some excitement to your holiday spread with a sensational firecracker shrimp recipe? Bursting with bold flavors and a fiery kick, this dish pays homage to the fireworks that light up the sky on this special occasion. Get ready to ignite your taste buds and create a memorable July 4th feast!
Firecracker shrimp recipe Makes 12 pieces
Ingredients:
12 large shrimp, in the shell
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic salt, divided
4 sheets of spring roll wrappers
24 carrot strips (3 X 1/4 inch)
1 egg, beaten
Dipping Sauce:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce (you can also use sweet chili sauce that is available in most Asian markets)
3 cups vegetable oil for deep-frying
Method:
Removing the shells and leaving the tail intact, make a deep cut lengthwise down the back of each shrimp; wash out the sand vein.
Place warm water in a bowl and add the salt; stir to dissolve.
Place the shrimp in the saltwater and swirl. Leave the shrimp in the saltwater for five minutes, then rinse with cold water, drain, and pat dry on paper towels.
Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt.
Cut each spring roll wrapper into thirds, making three long narrow strips.
Place the carrot strips in a small bowl, sprinkle with the remaining ¼ teaspoon garlic salt, and set aside.
Brush the egg at the top of the shrimp. Place two carrot strips in the slit of each shrimp.
Brush each spring roll strip with egg and roll each shrimp up tightly in the spring roll strip, with the egg holding it together. The tail of the shrimp should be protruding from one end and the carrots from the other - to resemble a firecracker!
Continue the process until all the wrappers are rolled with the shrimp and carrots.
To make a dipping sauce, in a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and hot pepper sauce. Set aside.
In a wok or saucepan, heat the vegetable oil to 350 degrees F.
Fry the shrimp rolls until golden brown, about two minutes, turning two to three times. Drain on paper towels. Serve with the dipping sauce.
* Originally published in July 2011. Updated in 2025.
Enjoy
If you have a cherished family Irish recipie share it with us.
And if there's a story that goes with it.....even
better! mail click here
Fireny@aol.com
filíocht pronounced FILL-ee-uhkht meaning Poetry
George Washington conferring with an aide-de-camp.
Irish Catholic Colonel in the Continental Army
His name was John Fitzgerald
(U.S. Army Center of Military History)
An Irish Heart in the American Dawn
From shores of green, where mists still cling,
To this new land where freedom's bells ring,
A heart of the forebears is carried,
A tale of striving, a story unfolds.
The stars and stripes are seen unfurled,
A beacon of hope to a weary world.
On this day of freedom, loud and clear,
A new chapter starts, banishing fear.
A voice may hold a touch of brogue,
Traditions steeped in history's vogue,
But in this land of many streams,
Color is added to its vibrant dreams.
Like those before, with hopeful hand,
Strength is lent to this promised land.
Through factories' hum and city's roar,
Building and working, forevermore.
So raise a glass, let the fireworks fly,
For freedom's flame beneath this sky.
An Irish heart, now part of this nation,
Celebrating America, with joyful elation.
Stories and Tales
"seanchaí"
(pronounced "shan-a-key")
comes from the Irish words "sean" meaning old and "caí" meaning to tell.
Parting Glass whiskey advert the "envy of other booze ads"
This ad from Tullamore Dew received rave reviews - watch to the end for the twist!
IrishCentral Staff @IrishCentral Jul 05, 2025
An incredible advert from Tullamore D.E.W. Tullamore Dew / YouTube
Is this Tullamore Dew short film the best whiskey advert there ever was?
An advertisement released by Tullamore D.E.W., one of Ireland’s most popular whiskeys in 2013 received rave reviews from Huffington Post Taste Advertising Age and Creative Online as an “awesome surprise” and the “envy of other booze ads." And well deserved.
The short film, “The Parting Glass,” follows a group of young suited friends walking through the Irish countryside in the rain to a graveyard where they raise a glass of whiskey to a friend. There’s a nice twist at the end.
The song “The Parting Glass,” a Scottish and Irish traditional song often sung at the end of a gathering of friends, is heard throughout. As the men march up the hill James Joyce is quoted.
“Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age.”
Ad Age described the short film as “a beautiful story, expertly told.”
The short film does well to showcase Ireland (its countryside and culture) while marrying a more modern view through the tattooed, well-turned-out young men.
The ad originally ran in Europe. It was created out of a New York boutique agency, Opperman Weiss, and was directed by Laurence Dunmore.
Here’s the ad:
* Originally published in 2013, updated in July 2025.
Clare Session
Even back then, the Bodhran player could be annoying
Céad Míle Fáilte
and welcome to your Letter from Ireland
Céad Míle Fáilte and welcome to your Letter from Ireland for this week.
Happy July 4th weekend to all our readers in the USA! Last Friday as the fireworks lit up the skies across America, I started this letter here in a quiet corner of County Cork, thinking about all of those celebrations many thousands of miles away.
You see, since the mid-1800s, about half of my own Irish family emigrated to the United States while the other half remained in Ireland. It's got me wondering how those who immigrated must have felt during their first July 4th celebration in America - watching the parades, hearing speeches about independence and freedom, and witnessing the grand celebration of throwing off colonial dependence.
The Ireland they had left behind was a world built entirely on dependence. Some of it was reassuring, some of it crushing, but all of it defined who they were.
I'm sipping on a cup of Maher's coffee, and I hope you'll join me as we imagine what your Irish ancestors might have been feeling during their first encounter with America's celebration of independence.
The Crushing Dependencies
To understand what our ancestors must have felt watching those first July 4th celebrations, we need to first consider the webs of dependence they had just escaped, and what they might have missed about it.
First, there were the dependencies that drove them to leave. Our Irish ancestors lived under layers of control that would be unimaginable to most Americans. They depended on landlords who could evict them on a whim, regardless of how long their family had worked the land. They depended on the weather in ways that meant the difference between eating and starving. One bad potato harvest could destroy everything.
They depended on the Church's approval for everything, from who they married to how they spent their Sundays. They depended on the British government's permission for political expression, economic opportunity, even the language they spoke in school. They depended on local merchants who often controlled both their income and their debt, keeping families trapped in cycles of obligation.
For a young Irish immigrant watching their first July 4th parade, and hearing speakers declare that "all men are created equal" and have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," the contrast must have been breathtaking. Here was a country built on a radical idea that people could control their own destiny.
The Reassuring Dependencies
But there were other types of dependencies they had left behind. Ones that had provided security, identity, and meaning that their new life in America couldn't easily replace - at least for some time.
They had depended on extended family networks that worked as social insurance systems. In Ireland, if your father died, the community knew exactly who would help raise the children, who would work the land, who would ensure the family survived. If you fell ill, neighbours didn't need to be asked, they simply appeared with food, help, and company.
They had depended on traditions that told them exactly who they were and where they belonged. The feast days, the seasonal celebrations, the way of marking births, marriages, and deaths. All of this provided a framework for understanding life that stretched back generations.
They had also depended on a landscape that was saturated with meaning. The name of every hill told a story, every crossroads a history, and stone markers in the cemetery connected them to their own family's past. In Ireland, your ancestors never had to wonder where they belonged or who their people were.
What They Must Have Felt and Thought
So, imagine what must have been going through our Irish ancestors minds during that first year of immigration? The exuberance of the July 4th celebrations would have been unlike anything they had known in Ireland. The public displays of patriotism and a casual way people criticised their own government while simultaneously celebrating their nationhood. All of this would have been foreign and perhaps thrilling.
But there might have been confusion too. In Ireland, public gatherings were viewed with suspicion by authorities. Political expression could lead to arrest. The idea that you could openly celebrate your country while simultaneously demanding that it do better would have been a contradiction that took time to understand.
July 4th celebrations emphasise shared American values and common national purpose. But our Irish ancestors would have been acutely aware that they were outsiders looking in. They didn't share the historical references, the family stories of American independence, a collective memory of throwing off British rule through revolution rather than gradually through political struggle.
They must have felt lonely in the middle of the celebrations, surrounded by people celebrating a history that wasn't theirs and in a community that hadn't yet fully accepted them as belonging.
The Beginning of Irish-America
That first July 4th celebration wasn't just our ancestors' introduction to American patriotism, it was the beginning of their transformation into Irish-Americans. They were starting the process of figuring out how to be both Irish and American, how to honour both the dependencies they had left behind and the independence they were embracing.
This wasn't a simple exchange of one identity for another, it was the beginning of creating something new. A way of being Irish that incorporated American values, and a way of being American that was shaped by their Irish experience.
Our ancestors didn't just trade Irish dependence for American independence. They spent generations figuring out how to honour both. How to be independent enough to succeed in America while remaining connected enough to maintain what was valuable in their Irish heritage.
I guess I see our ancestors' first July 4th celebration as the beginning of a conversation between Irish and American values that continues in so many families today. Understanding both sides of that conversation can help us appreciate the richness of what they built and what they passed down to all of us - on both sides of the ocean.
What do you think? Do enail me at Fireny@aol.com to let me know....Tommy Mac
That's it for this week,
Slán for this week,
Mike.
Already a Green Room Member? You can both read and comment on this letter in the Green Room forum here.
Irish facts about Independence Day you may not know
From the Declaration of Independence to the Star-Spangled Banner – here are some little known Irish links to the 4th of July!
IrishCentral Staff @IrishCentral Jul 02, 2025
Happy July 4th! How many of these Irish facts were you aware of? Getty
As American as apple pie, right?! The Fourth of July, Independence Day in the US, has some surprising links to Ireland.
How many of these Irish facts about July 4th, Independence Day, did you know about?
The Irish wrote the original air for The Star-Spangled Banner
According to expert Geoff Cob writing in Irish America Magazine, the blind Irish composer Turlough O’Carolan wrote the song regarded as the “ancestor” of our national anthem. His 1723 tune, “Bumper Squire Jones,” honors one of the composer’s patrons. “Bumper Squire Jones” is in fact metrically identical to Francis Scott Key's famous song.
Many believe the tune “Bumper Squire Jones” came to London where decades later John Stafford Smith added his own words to it, transforming it into a drinking song called “Anacreon in Heaven”. This song, a big hit during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, traveled across the Atlantic, where it was modified and used by Key as the melody for our national anthem.
George M. Cohan “Born on the 4th of July” was not born on July 4th
George M. Cohan was born in Rhode Island to an Irish Catholic family in 1878 on the 3rd of July according to his birth certificate, not the 4th though the family always claimed otherwise. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! Subscribe to IrishCentral
The Yankee Doodle Dandy was pure Irish, Cohan coming from the name Keohane. His first appearance was with the Four Cohans, he and his relatives on stage included his father Jeremiah "Jere" (Keohane) Cohan (1848–1917), mother Helen "Nellie" Costigan Cohan (1854–1928) and sister Josephine "Josie" Cohan Niblo (1876–1916).
Signatory Charles Carroll was an illegitimate child
Charles Carroll, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, was an Irish Catholic illegitimate child.3Gallery Charles Carroll, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, was an Irish Catholic illegitimate child. Charles Carroll was born on September 19, 1737, in Annapolis, Maryland, the only child of Charles Carroll of Annapolis and Elizabeth Brooke. He was born illegitimate, as his parents were not married at the time of his birth. He was Catholic and his family came from Co Offaly. Because he was Catholic he was barred from participating in politics under the Maryland “No Popery” Act. Not surprisingly he led the fight in his state for independence from the British. He was the last signatory of the Declaration of Independence to die aged 95.
John Dunlop, an Irish-born printer of Declaration, had an alcohol problem
The Irish man who printed the Declaration of Independence had a drinking problem.3Gallery The Irish man who printed the Declaration of Independence had a drinking problem. Dunlop from Tyrone was born in 1747 and emigrated to Philadelphia at age ten. He fought for Washington’s army and later won a lucrative contract from the Continental Congress to publish all their documents. On July 2nd, 1776 John Hancock ordered Dunlap to print broadside copies of the declaration.
Dunlap printed perhaps 200 broadsides known as the Dunlap broadsides, which were the first published versions of the Declaration. Dunlop retired young and wealthy at age 47 but apparently developed a major alcohol problem in retirement according to his friend Dr. Benjamin Rush.
The first newspaper to publish the Declaration of Independence was the Belfast Newsletter on August 23, 1776
According to the newspaper itself which is still publishing “Details of the Declaration were carried on a ship which was storm-bound off the coast of Donegal and was berthed for shelter in the port of Londonderry in August 1776. They were taken up to the Belfast offices of the Newsletter, then published by Henry and Robert Joy, and, when published in the August 23-27, 1776 edition of the paper, they caused much stir. It was a European scoop for the Newsletter (founded in 1737) for King George III in London had not even been acquainted of the news.”
*Originally published in 2017, updated in June 2025.
5-Tune Friday
Hi Thomas,
Paraic here with this week’s Five Tune Friday!
Happy 4th of July to all of those reading from the US!
Today to celebrate, I thought we'd mark the occasion with a few well-known traditional tunes that have long-standing ties to America, or are simply favourites on both sides of the Atlantic. From reels and jigs to a timeless hornpipe, they all pay tribute to the shared traditions, stories, and sounds that connect us through music.
“My Love Is In America” – Reel
A lovely, driving reel to kick things off, perfectly suited to the occasion. This week’s rendition comes from Hatao, the brilliant Japanese flute player, who not only plays this piece beautifully but also thoughtfully breaks down the tune to make it easier to learn. What a gent.
“The Chicago Reel” – Reel
One of the most well-known and widely played reels in Irish sessions everywhere. Performed with great flair by The Whistler, it’s a clean, energetic, and solid addition to any set.
“Off to California” – Hornpipe
This classic hornpipe has travelled far and wide (much like the emigrants it’s named for). With its steady rhythm and catchy lift, it’s a favourite among trad musicians for good reason. This week’s version by Paul Young on the melodeon brings out all its charm and bounce. If you don’t know this one, then consider it essential learning!
“The Green Fields of America” – Reel A beautiful, flowing reel that perfectly captures the spirit of Irish emigration and longing. Played expertly by Sarah Hale on the flute, warm, smooth, and full of heart.
“The Independent” – Jig A fitting way to round off this week’s American-inspired selection, “The Independent” is a lively tribute to the idea of freedom and independence, something that resonates not only in the States but in every culture. Played with flair by Fergal Scahill on the fiddle, this spirited jig captures the essence of celebration through rhythm and drive.
That’s all for this week. Whether you're stateside, staying local, or somewhere else out there in the world, we hope these tunes add some extra energy to your weekend playing.
Slán go fóill,
Paraic
McNeela McNeela Instruments
I bought my Bodhran from Paraic and I am very satisified with the quality and the service.
If you visit the store please let Paraic know you heard about it
from Tommy Mac and the Tír na mBláth. Tim Finnegan's Pub, Irish Seisiún Newsletter
Tommy Mac here.
For years I have been asking my readers to submit
some of their own memories on various subjects.
But, I have only had a handful of replies over all those years.
Come on now!
I'm sure many of you have recipies, memories of your own,
or stories handed down that would be of interest.
Please.....
Send in some of your actual memories of family stories to share with everyone.
If you don't want your name to appear the let me know.
Send them to me, Tommy Mac at Fireny@aol.com
News of Interest,,,,,
"Welcome to the neighborhood" -
New US Ambassador to Ireland assumes duties in Dublin
Edward Walsh is officially the new US Ambassador to Ireland after presenting his credentials to President of Ireland Michael D Higgins in Dublin.
Kerry O'Shea @kerry_oshea Jul 01, 2025
July 1, 2025: US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh (L) shakes hands with President of Ireland Michael D Higgins following a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin.
President of Ireland Edward S. Walsh has officially assumed the office of US Ambassador to Ireland after presenting his credentials to President of Ireland Michael D Higgins in a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin on Tuesday, July 1.
Upon their arrival in Ireland, and before they can carry out their duties, new ambassadors must be officially welcomed by the President of Ireland. Ambassadors are officially accredited to Ireland from the moment that the President accepts their credentials.
"President, I bring greetings from the people of the United States for your personal well-being and that of the people of Ireland," Walsh told President Higgins in Dublin on Tuesday.
"I am honored to be nominated as Ambassador of the United States to Ireland and confident that our relations between our two countries will develop even further during the time of my assignment."
President Higgins replied: "I want, in the first instance, to warmly reciprocate the greetings from the American people and to wish you and your family a very happy time in Ireland.
"Welcome to the neighborhood."
July 1, 2025: US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh presents his credentials to President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
Walsh was accompanied by his wife Lynn and members of their family for Tuesday's ceremony. He was also joined by Michael Clausen, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United States of America.
July 1, 2025: US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh with his family and President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
Walsh was one of three new Ambassadors to Ireland to present their credentials on Tuesday.
After the ceremony, which was attended by Tánaiste Simon Harris, military honours were rendered outside the Áras.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to assume the role of U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, and I am truly grateful to my friend, President Donald J. Trump, for his trust in me," Walsh said in a statement after Tuesday's ceremony.
"While this is my first foray into diplomacy, my business background and years of public service have taught me invaluable lessons that I will bring to my new role here.
"The United States and Ireland enjoy a relationship rooted in friendship, strengthened by partnership, and enriched by deep people-to-people ties.
"I am committed to building on this strong foundation and working closely with our Irish partners to advance our mutual interests."
In a video shared on social media, Walsh said he will be residing in Deerfield with his wife Lynn and their dog Ginger. The couple's three adult daughters - Rachel, Maggie, and Anna - will remain in the US, where they work and raise families.
Walsh noted that his family's roots "trace back to Ireland and County Clare."
US President Donald Trump announced Walsh as his choice to be the next US Ambassador to Ireland in December.
"Edward is the President of the Walsh Company, a very successful nationwide construction and real estate firm," Trump said in his December 14 announcement on Truth Social.
"He is a great philanthropist in his local community, and previously served as the Chairman of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority Board.
"He is also a Champion Golfer, a very good asset for the Ambassador of Ireland to have.
"Do well Ed!"
Before relocating to Ireland, Walsh was a resident of Bedminster, New Jersey, where the US President's Trump National Golf Club, of which Walsh is a member, is located.
According to the Washington Post, Walsh donated $25,000 to Trump's 2024 election campaign, while his wife also donated $25,000.
Following a confirmation hearing on May 1, Walsh's nomination was approved by the Senate with a vote of 57 to 38 on June 4. He was sworn in by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a ceremony in the White House's Oval Office, with Trump in attendance, on June 19.
New US Ambassador to Ireland
marks 4th of July in first public event in Dublin
The US Ambassador's 4th of July celebration in Dublin concluded with a fireworks display set to songs favoured by US President Donald J. Trump.
IrishCentral Staff @IrishCentral Jul 04, 2025
The new US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward S Walsh, speaking at the Embassy's 4th of July celebrations for 2025. US Embassy
The new US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward S Walsh, hosted an Independence Day celebration in Dublin on Thursday evening, July 3.
The celebration was hosted on the lawn of the Deerfield Residence, the official residence of the US Ambassador, in Dublin's Phoenix Park.
Approximately 2,500 guests from the worlds of politics, business, culture, sport, and media attended the event, marking the 249th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.
Fireworks over the US Embassy in Dublin for July 4th, 2025.
Ireland's Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Minister for Defence, delivered remarks alongside the US Ambassador on Thursday.
The new US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward S Walsh and Ireland's Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Minister for Defence.
In his first public event since presenting his credentials to President Higgins on Tuesday, Ambassador Walsh thanked the crowd for their warm welcome.
“I have been told that this is the best job in the entire world — and judging by this past week, and especially tonight, I already believe it,” Walsh said.
Commenting on his new role, he added: “I stand before you as a businessman, a family man, and someone who deeply values the ties that bind communities together, from the boardroom to the golf course.
"As the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, I look forward to building lasting relationships, communicating openly, and embracing all that brings our peoples together.”
The new US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward S Walsh.
Ambassador Walsh introduced his wife, Lynn; his daughter, Maggie, and her husband, Matthew Kelly; and his daughter, Anna, and her fiancé, Pat Beljan. His daughter Rachel was at home in New Jersey with her husband, Joe McGrath, and their two children.
From hot dogs and hamburgers to bourbon and beer, the event featured a wide variety of classic American fare.
Entertainment included performances by Una Healy and Luke Thomas & The Swing Cats, The Controversial Allstars, and Michael Flatley, who performed a tune on his flute.
The national anthems were performed by Emmet Cahill and Sean Tester.
Sean Tester singing the national anthem.
The evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks display set to songs favored by US President Donald J. Trump, including “America the Beautiful” and “YMCA.”
Last month was Ireland's fourth warmest June on record
June 2025 was notably warmer than average in Ireland, continuing the recent warmer-than-normal monthly trend, Met Éireann said in its climate statement.
Kerry O'Shea @kerry_oshea Jul 02, 2025
June 2025: Swimming at Sandycove in Dublin during warm weather. RollingNews.ie
June 2025 has become the fourth warmest June on record for Ireland, Met Éireann said in its climate statement for the month, issued on Wednesday, July 2.
All stations recorded mean temperatures above their Long Term Average (1991-2020 LTA), the Irish national meteorological service said in its statement.
On Friday, June 20, Mount Dillon in Co Roscommon recorded 29.6°C (85.28°F), the maximum temperature of the year in Ireland so far.
Overall, June 2025 was notably warmer than average, continuing the recent warmer-than-normal monthly trend, Met Éireann said.
It was the fourth consecutive month with temperatures in the respective top eight averages on record in 126 years of records.
The average temperature for June 2025 (using the Island of Ireland dataset*) was 15.10 °C, making it the fourth warmest June on record since 1900.
Of the top ten warmest Junes, five have occurred recently (2023, 2018, 2025, 2010, and 2006).
Ireland's warmest June was in 2023 with an average temperature of 16.22°C, and the coldest June was in 1972 with an average temperature of 12.68°C.
Malin Head in Co Donegal had its highest maximum temperature for June since 1957 with 25.5°C recorded on Friday, June 20.
Two stations - Phoenix Park, Co Dublin (19.0°C) and Oak Park, Co Carlow (with 18.1 °C) - reported record high all-calendar-month minimum temperatures on Saturday, June 28.
On the same day, Dublin Airport (18.4°C), Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin (18.0°C), Dunsany, Co Meath (17.2°C), and Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford (16.0°C) reported record high minimum temperatures for June.
Met Éireann shared these other key findings from its June 2025 Climate Statement:
The average temperature for June 2025 was 1.88°C above the 1961-1991 long-term average for the month and 1.42°C above the long-term average for the most recent climatological reference period of 1991-2020.
Provisional gridded rainfall data suggests June 2025 averaged around 100 mm, which is 117% of the month’s long-term average from 1991-2020.
2025 ranks as the 24th wettest June in records since 1941 and the wettest June since 2022.
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