Glór na Móna host ‘historic and powerful’ New York fundraiser

Pioneering youth and community organisation, Glór na Móna, successfully brought their capital fundraising campaign stateside last week with a landmark event in Rosie O’Grady’s in Manhattan on Thursday 5 June. Organised on behalf of the fundraising campaign for their new proposed capital building Croí na Carraige building, which envisions a multi-purpose youth, community, family and heritage hub on the vacant waste ground beside their current facility, the Rosie O’Grady event had a full house with over 100 people in attendance.

Speaking after the event, Glór na Móna Executive Director, Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh stated:

‘We are completely blown away by what was a powerful and historic night in Rosie O’Gradys in Manhattan where the Irish American community came out in force to support our vision for Croí na Carraige. We had  welcome, kind and very diverse support from the AOH, Friends of Sinn Féin, Conradh na Gaeilge Brooklyn, James Connolly Labour Association, Gaeltacht NYC, Transport workers union, Brehon Law Society, Power Sustainable, Fine Construction, Silvercrest, the O’Cathain Law Group as well as People’s Network for Land and Liberation, Democracy Collaborative, Cooperation Jackson and the Friendly Sons of St Patrick in Long island. We were thrilled that Helena Nolan of the Consulate General’s office in New York City joined and spoke highly of the project on behalf of the Irish government. We were delighted that Mairead McNamara from the Irish American Partnerships came and donated a cheque of $10,000 on the night.

‘We are indebted to Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and the Irish Echo who both supported and sponsored the evening at Rosie’s. We would like to thank our speakers Paul Maskey MP, Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin and Michael Patrick McDonald who highlighted the importance and transformational potential of the project. Marty Glennon from the Brehon Law Society did an amazing job as MC while renowned musicians Chris Byrne, Brian Finnegan and the Brooklyn Irish language activists provided fantastic traditional music at the event. We are thrilled that we filled Rosie’s in Manhattan for a very successful fundraising event and the first of its kind in the city by the Irish language community in the city. This was a great start to our fundraising campaign in the US and the story and importance of Croí na Carraige now spreading amongst the Gaels of the city.

These comments were echoed by Conradh na Gaeilge President and Glór na Móna founder-member, Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, who was one of the keynote speakers on the night:

‘It was an absolute privilege for us to be standing with the Irish community in New York City tonight. It is yet another testament to the distance our community has travelled in such a short period. We are truly standing on the shoulders of giants: pioneers, activists, our parents who had a bold and ambitious vision in a time of darkness and despair and they changed the world around them. Our aim for a multi purposed youth, community and heritage centre developed in a long neglected space but one with rich roots in community and Irish language development. We are planning for the future; developing young, empowered activists and building infrastructure to allow them to flourish. Everything we have achieved has been hard fought for – from schools, our youth clubs, language rights and, more recently our ambitious capital project, nothing has been handed to us. Our young people have been central to that fight and having seen the effect of their own agency, are primed to help shape a better future and a better Ireland. This is only the beginning of what we believe will be a positive and fruitful engagement between the Irish language community and the diaspora in North America.

Also addressing the event, West Belfast MP, Paul Maskey stated:

‘I was absolutely delighted to be invited to the great city of New York as a guest of Glór na Móna. What they achieved in New York City last week by attracting such a packed and diverse crowd into Manhattan from across the city in support of Croí na Carraige was simply extraordinary and a testament to their determination and ingenuity. It was an honour to be part of it.

‘We have so many vibrant and committed people and sectors in every part of west Belfast, from community groups, language, sporting, business, cultural and educational to name a few, as the MP I’m so very grateful. But there is always a group who continue to deliver far beyond all expectations. There is a group whose leadership always comes to the fore when needed. Glór na Móna, in my view without doubt is that group. Their track record is phenomenal. Glór na Móna stands up for equality and against injustice. Over the years I’ve had many meetings and conversations with them, and it never fails to amaze me the drive they have for getting things done.

‘Glór na Móna are not only building the capacity of our young people to be future leaders, but they have also already built the capacity of our young people to be our current day leaders. Their plans for Croí na Carriage are very exciting and will enhance the local area and facilities for the Irish Language community in west Belfast., I will continue to work alongside Glór na Móna to make this a reality.

‘I am very proud of their achievements over the years, I do know that when Croí na Carriage is built, this generation and future generations will reap the rewards. This project in my view will take the Irish language and the leadership skills of our young people to the next level. I would encourage people far and wide to support their efforts to deliver this amazing facility for our community.’

For further information:

Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh, Feargal@glornamona.com, 07841101630

And Go Fund Me:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/croi-na-carraige-new-irishmedium-youth-and-community-centre