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Tip O'Neill award presented in
Buncrana
24.09.13
THE second Tip O’Neill
Irish Diaspora Award was awarded in Buncrana at the
weekend to the former Governor of Montana, Brian
Schweitzer. The award recognises people "who strive
to promote the interests of Ireland on the world
stage".
Mr Schweitzer, whose grandmother, Hannah Friel, was
from Rathmullan, was honoured during a special
gathering in the seaside town.
Among the guests were members of Tip O’Neill’s
family and the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland,
Loyola Hearne.
Mr Schweitzer, who received the award from Minister
of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, said he
was proud to be chosen as this year's recipient.
“This award means the world to me. It is a wonderful
honour to come back to Donegal and be presented with
this prestigious award," he said. |
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Former Governor of Montana, Brian
Schweitzer, is presented with the 2013 Tip O'Neill
Irish Diaspora Award by Minister Dinny McGinley. |
Donegal County Manager,
Seamus Neely read a message from President Michael
D. Higgins to hundreds of guests, in which the
president remarked that the Tip O’Neill Irish
Diaspora Award was yet a "the culture and heritage
of our forefathers continues to play an important
role in the lives of those who are Irish".
While in Buncrana, the Canadian presented bursaries
in honour of Tip O’Neill to national schools.
Meanwhile, the Tip O’Neill Diaspora Lecture was
attended by more than 100 people.
The lecture, with the theme 'Poetry and Power and
the Diaspora', was delivered by Professor Paul
Arthur.
The weekend concluded with Tip’s children, Tommy and
Shelly O’Neill, unveiling the Tip O’Neill
Interpretive Panels at Buncrana Shorefront. |
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