Central New York Chapter

The Irish American Cultural Institute of Central New York is responsible for sponsoring, developing, and promoting IACI activities in the greater Syracuse region. Those activities currently include, among others, the St. Patrick's Day Parade, James Joyce Club, Irish Perceptions Series, and a local music group.

President of Ireland, Mary McAleese visited Syracuse University on Tues, May 1 for a day of activities which included a reception and luncheon at the University Sheraton Hotel, followed by a public address in Hendrick’s Chapel.

The President of Ireland is the Patron of the Irish American Cultural Institute and the local CNY chapter wanted to present her with a momento of her visit which reflected the Irish spirit and culture of the community

 During a private reception before the luncheon, Kay O. Ellis, Irish American Cultural Institute board member and a member of the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade Committee,  presented President McAleese with a gift of the 25th Anniversary poster of the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade, depicting all the former posters of the parade, matted and framed.  The inscription in calligraphy on the back of the poster, read:

“Syracuse St. Patrick’s Day Parade Poster, 25^th Anniversary, presented to Mary McAleese, President of Ireland; Patron of the Irish American Cultural Institute, on the occasion of her visit to Syracuse, New York, by the Central New York chapter of the Irish American Cultural Institute, May 1, 2007.”

The art work of the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade posters reminded President McAleese of the famous Irish poster of the “Doors of Dublin.” 

President McAleese was quite taken with the gift and was pleased to hear about the many activities of our local chapter.

“Without the interest and support of the Irish in America, the peace process wouldn’t be where it is today,” she commented.    “The hard ground work has been laid, the stones have been dug up and now we are building the process of a united Ireland,” said President McAleese.

She especially mentioned Congressman Jim Walsh, who was called back to Washington for an important vote in the House of Representatives, for his work on behalf of the peace process.  Bob Waters, a member of the IFC, of the Congressman’s committee, expressed his optimism as the new phase of the peace process.

Representing the Central New York chapter of the Irish American Cultural Institute at the reception and luncheon were John Mahoney, vice president, Kay O. Ellis, board member, and former president, and Mary Kay Gillis, former president and board member.

Chancellor of Syracuse University, Nancy Cantor was the luncheon host, and expressed her extreme pleasure to have President McAleese and her husband, Dr. Martin McAleese as visitors to the university and the community, along with other Irish dignitaries, including Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States. Others at the private reception included, Rev. Charles Bierne, president of LeMoyne College; Rev. John Ahern, a Director and Chaplain of the Syracuse St. Patrick’s parade; and Kathleen Kelly, a Director of the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade and the Chair of Project Children.   There were hundreds of other prominent Irish Americans in the Syracuse community in attendance at the reception and luncheon.

President McAleese’s visit marked the first time a sitting president of a foreign country has visited Syracuse University.