20th Anniversary Solas 2009

 

SOLD-OUT SOLAS 2009 CELEBRATES IIC 20th ANNIVERSARY

"The IIC Solas Awards dinner truly was one of the highlights of the President's trip to Massachusetts. The wonderful turnout of friends and supporters of the IIC was a reflection of the importance that so many people attach to the work of the Center, under the direction of Sr. Lena Deevy. The President's own remarks were a fitting tribute to the many volunteers and staff of the Center and emphasized the continued importance attached by the Irish Government and people of Ireland to the help and support given to Irish and other immigrants by the Center herein Boston."

David Barry, Irish Consul General

 

The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese was the 2009 Solas recipient and honored guest. Living her to billing as an eloquent and moving orator, she delivered a keynote address that was alternately funny, emotional, personal and powerful. Taking the theme of “Two shortens the Road,” an old Irish saying meaning that a journey is a lot shorter when it’s shared, and the notion of “moving along a bit and making room for someone else,” she spoke as though addressing everyone individually, and delivered a message that resonated with immigrant and native alike.

The President was introduced by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and preceded by an Irish poetry, music and dance performance produced by Brian O’Donovan of WGBH fame, and featuring multiple local artists that filled the room with the rhythm of a thousand pairs of clapping hands.

Special Solas Irish music, dance, and poetry performance produced by Brian O'Donovan. Chris Lavery, Neil Hurley, Denis Fleming, Shelia Gleeson; Front: Barbara Fairbairn, Donna Freeman, Ryan Hoyle, Sister Marguerite Kelly. IIC Staff, board members, and volunteers pictured with President and Dr. McAleese Photos: Bill McCormack
President McAleese and Congressman McGovern listen to Sister Lena Deevy address the guests. Sister Lena Deevy, Executive Director of IIC thanks the 960 guests for their support and for coming. Dr. Martin McAleese, Mary Ellen Langan, President McAleese, State Rep. Peter Koutoujian, and Connie Koutoujian.

 

Anniversary Message to you from Sister Lena Deevy, IIC Executive Director: 

Members of the IIC 20th Anniversary Solas Planning Committee: AnnMarie Byrne, Cathleen Hegarty Morrison, Nuala Friel Wright, Clare Saunders, Pat Gray, Gobnait Conneely

“I want to pay tribute to the dedication of the hundreds of volunteers, and to staff  who over the years were often the ‘life support’  for  thousands of immigrants. And I want to pay tribute to you who have supported us through the years.

Just as America’s story is the immigrant story, the IIC’s story is your story. Thank you for being here for us, and thank you for enabling the Irish Immigration Center to be here for so many.”

IIC gives special thanks to Mr Bob Hildreth, Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Mr Hildreth is the founder of the Open America Foundation, and a friend to IIC and immigrants from around the globe..

 

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT SOLAS 2009:

“It was an uplifting event full of compassion and, in these dreary times, the much needed overlay of hope.   The President is an inspired speaker whose extemporaneous loquacity and folksy demeanor charms and inspires.   The gathering was also a great tribute to just how far IIC has grown in stature and respect in the region in these past 20 years and bodes well for its future.”

 

“We were awed by the wit and eloquence of President McAleese and inspired by the stories of the many lives IIC has enriched over the past twenty years.  You are truly doing your part to shorten the road for the people whose lives you touch with your philanthropic endeavors.  Keep up the good work!”

 

“Congratulations. You’re a beacon of hope for the countless immigrants tha walk through your door and I’m tremendously grateful for all you do so well. Warmest wishes for the continuation of your extraordinary good works.”

“I had a great time and the President of Ireland made you delighted to be Irish.”

“President Mcaleese was one of the best speakers I've ever heard. Her simple message about embracing the otherness in others was very moving.”

“When the president was speaking about the lonely feeling that immigrants have and how important it is to be welcomed by Bostonians and other immigrants already living here, it really hit home for me. Although my move from New York City to Boston isn’t nearly as momentous as moving from one country to another, it sure felt like it when I did it in 1997. I know firsthand how important it is to be welcomed and befriended in a new place.  The Boston Irish Immigration Center does that every day.”

“I thought that the President was absolutely brilliant. She gave a sense of hope that, despite all the bad news, we can get through this and stressed the two things that make IIC a special place – that so much work is still done by volunteers that never lose their enthusiasm. And that the people IIC serves come from such a diverse constituency.”