2011
March
The Galway Committee hosted members of the United Nations Irish Veterans Association. While they were in Chicago, they marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and met with Mayor Daley.
Focus: Cultural
The Galway Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International hosted an outing to the Druid Theater’s production of The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. After the play, the committee hosted a reception for the cast and crew of the production.
May
Cllr. Michael Crowe, Mayor of Galway City, visited Chicago for the inauguration of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
August 3-8
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International visited Galway to meet with the Mayor of Galway City and their counterparts in Galway to discuss future plans. During the trip, they honored Chicago artist Matt Lamb. An Irish citizen, Matt Lamb has called the Emerald Isle his home for many years, and he will be holding two separate exhibitions of his work in the City of Galway.
August 22
Focus: Government
The Galway Committee will host Galway City Mayor Councillor Hildegarde Naughton and a delegation.
2010
March
Focus: Education
The Galway Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International partnered with the Chicago Public Library for One Book, One Chicago, Chicago’s annual city-wide book club that featured ‘Brooklyn’ by Colm Toibin. The Galway committee coordinated finding several Chicago and Galway schools to read the book together and take part in a virtual book-club exchange, as well as the Galway Arts Centre.
August 25
Focus: Government
The Mayor of Galway County, Cllr. Jimmy McClearn, and Galway committee member Clem Walsh visited Chicago, met with the committee, and visited the Chicago Sister Cities International Festival in Millennium Park to watch a performance of the Trinity Irish Dancers and visit the Because I Like it! Irish booth.
August 25
Focus: Culture
Trinity Irish Dancers represented Galway at the Chicago Sister Cities International Festival, and included one of the top-ranked male dancers in the world.
August 27
Focus: Culture
The Irish Music School of Chicago represented Galway at the Chicago Sister Cities International Festival.
November 10
Focus: Sports
The Galway Committee helped to facilitate a marathon exchange with Galway. The two top male and female runners from Galway participated in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
November 10
Focus: Cultural
The Galway Committee and the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago hosted an Advanced Screening of “The Irish Magic ofInis Meain. Conceived by Executive Producer Melissa Sage Fadim and written/ produced/ directed by multiple Emmy award-winning filmmaker Terry Spencer Hesser, “The Irish Magic ofInis Meain” is a 30-minute documentary film that shows an up close and personal look at the people who make a living on this wet rock in the Atlantic. The film will be publicly premiered on WTTW-TV Channel 11 at a to-be-determined date in late November.
November 13
The Galway Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International hosted the 2010 Oyster Festival of Racing. In celebration of our Sister City's famous food festival, the annual fundraiser includes horse racing, traditional Irish music and a buffet of Irish cuisine.
2009
March
Galway Committee Vice chair Billy Lawless celebrated St. Patrick's Day in Washington D.C, with Senator Dick Durbin and Mayor Padraig Conneely of Galway.
April
Focus: Government
The committee held a reception in honor of Mayor Conneely.
May 17
Focus: General
The Galway Committee invited guests for a wreath laying at the Grainne statue followed by a reception in the reception hall of Old St. Pat’s with a short presentation in song and story by singer Catherine O’Connell and Mart Pat Kelly, author of “Galway Bay”, a historical novel based on the life of Kelly’s great great-grandmother Honora Kelly who survived the Great Starvation of 1840’s Ireland, escaped with her young children to Chicago and settled in Bridgeport. Her grandson was Ed Kelly, Mayor of Chicago from 1933 to 1947.
September
Augustus Burley Elementary School began their Sister School relationship with Clare Galways National School.
October 1-4
Focus: Medical
Dr. Aoife Lowery from the National University of Ireland Galway & Galway University Hospital participated in the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium
- Sister Cities Medical Initiative.
October 9-13
Focus: Government
A reception in honor of The Great Garda Run Chicago was held celebrating 150 members of the Irish An Garda Siochana Police Force running in the Chicago Marathon.
November 16
Focus: Trade
The Chicago Sister Cities International Program, along with the Galway Committee coordinated an Oyster Fest of Racing which aimed to increase international trade, promote economic development and support exchanges in the fields of culture, education, medicine, social services, environment and technology with Sister Cities around the globe for both their benefit as well as the benefit for the City of Chicago.
2008
May 6
Focus: Social
The Galway Committee hosted a networking event at D-4 Irish Pub and Cafe.
June
Focus: General
Galway was represented in the Sister Cities International Festival on Daley Plaza with crafts from Nuada.
September 14
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee reserved the fan deck for the White Sox/Angels baseball game at US Cellular Field's "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" celebration. The low price of $99 included Irish entertainment, food and drinks and trolley transportation between Lizzie McNeil's Irish Pub and the US Cellular Field.
October 21
Focus: Music
Accessible Contemporary Music (ACM) and the Galway Committee presented the final concert on the Composer Alive: Ireland project. The concert featured the World Premiere of Sunshowers, a new work written for ACM by internationally recognized Galway based composer Jane O'Leary. The concert also featured Silenzio Della Terria by Ms. O'Learly for flute and percussion and music by Irish composers Grainne Mulvey, Linda Buckley and Stephen Gardner.
November 16
Focus: Fundraising
The Galway Committee hosted its annual "Oyster Festival of Racing" at the Hawthorne Race Track.
December 7
Focus: Literature
The Galway Committee welcomed Miceal Kearney, an award winning poet, in his debut Chicago Performance at various locations and dates.
2007
January 24
Focus: General
The Committee welcomed a group of Irish City and County Managers in a small reception. The group participated in a DePaul University program with the City of Chicago in a best practice exchange.
August 18
Focus: Art/Culture
The ground-breaking celebration of Grainne, a sculpture from Galway placed in Heritage Green Park, across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral took place in August. It was attended by Mayor Daley and Mayor Costello, as well as many city and public officials from both Chicago and Galway. The beautiful sculpture celebrates the history of Irish immigration to Chicago, and is paid for by the City of Galway and the CSCIP Galway committee. The gift will be reciprocated by the committee in Galway in the future.
December 9
Focus: Art
The committee welcomed award-winning poetry slam artist Micael Kearney, winner of Galway’s esteemed Cuirt Festival of Literature. He performed at the Green Mill.
2006
Focus: Government
The Committee actively supported the Immigration Reform committee in their efforts.
Focus: Government
Mayor Walsh participated in the Richard J. Daley Durban Forum, and discussed how globalism has impacted Galway. He had several meetings discussing future cultural and business exchanges.
Focus: Culture
Galway was represented in CSCIP’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on Daley Plaza with beautiful crafts from Nuada an Irish dancing troupe, and a student Irish music performance.
Focus: Reception
The committee hosted a going-away reception for Consul General Sheehan that was attended by Mrs. Daley.
Focus: Government and Culture
Mayor Ó Brolacháin, the first Green Party Mayor in Ireland, visited Chicago as part of the Spirit of Galway delegation. The delegation met with Mayor Daley and Commissioner Johnston of the Environment Depart, and took a tour of City Hall’s rooftop gardens.
September 10
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee, in collaboration with the Chicago Committee in Galway, and the Galway Arts Center, welcomed Brendan Murphy, Galway's Cúirt International Festival of Literature Grand Slam winner. Mr. Murphy performed his winning poetry slam at several venues, including the Green Mill, the birthplace of Chicago poetry slam.
October
Focus: Culture
The committee helped to sponsor the Flight of the Earls at the Chicago Humanities Festival.
October 3
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee opened a photo exhibit “Images of Chicago – A Spectacle of Urban life at the Water’s Edge” at the Galway City Museum on October 2, which was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Mayor of Galway. The photos were gifted to The City of Galway, and will to travel to schools and libraries. Mrs. Daley also visited Galway and participated in its annual Oyster Festival of Racing.
October 26
Focus: Fundraiser
The Galway Committee held a fundraiser at the Pirate Queen, a Broadway in Chicago play depicting the story of legendary Irish pirate Grace O’Malley.
November 12
Focus: Fundraiser
Oysterfest: The committee’s annual day of brunching and racing to celebrate Galway’s Oyster Festival of Racing. This event serves as the committee’s annual fundraiser.
2005
Focus: Government
Mayor Padrig Conneelly participated in the US Conference of Mayors hosted by Mayor Daley.
August
Focus: Culture and Government
Committee hosted the annual “Spirit of Galway” delegation, including Mayor Walsh. The delegation’s tour included a meeting with Mayor Daley and tours of Chicago sites.
November
Focus: Fundraiser
The annual Oyster Festival of Racing took place at Hawthorne Race Track. A day of racing, traditional Irish music, and a buffet of Irish cuisine, including oysters were enjoyed by all.
2004
March
Focus: Education
The Upper School Instrumental and Vocal Music areas of the Arts Department of The Latin School of Chicago participated in a music tour to the Republic of Ireland. This educational exchange was very successful, as it allowed students to share their talents with another culture through the universal medium of music; experience enrichment by traveling, meeting, and performing for and with students of another country; through working and living together, obtain a greater understanding for the concept of “team effort” and espirit de corps; initiate a biennial exchange program with schools from other geographic locations; and, in effect, represent the City of Chicago as part of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program.
March 29
Focus: Culture
The Second Annual Martha Fox Lecture in Irish Studies presented a lecture by Dr. Niall O Ciosain, “Print and the Irish Language,” about the language shift from Irish to English in Ireland, and the role printing had in this cultural transformation.
May
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee hosted Trish Casey, winner of Galway’s Poetry Grand Slam, who traveled to Chicago to compete in Marc Kelly Smith’s Poetry Slam at the Green Mill.
June 4
Focus: Culture
“Help Raise Our Sails”
Mr. Steve Mulkerrins, in association with The Chicago/Galway Sister Cities Committee, christened the Naomh Bairbre (Saint Barbara). This 47 foot vessel known in Ireland as a Galway Hooker was handmade by Steve over a period of 4 years. 20 tons of wood specially shipped from Ireland and a lot of sweat went into making his dream come true. Mayor Richard M. Daley performed the christening of this one of a kind vessel at Montrose Harbor.
June 16
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee and the Irish Repertory of Chicago celebrated the world premiere of A Dublin Bloom by Dermot Bolger. A stage adaptation of James Joyce’s Ulysses, this play is set in Dublin on June 16, 1904. The committee and guests celebrated the centennial of Bloomsday with a special dinner-theatre package that included dining on Celtic fusion cuisine at The Galway Arms.
August
Focus: Culture
Committee hosted the annual “Spirit of Galway” delegation. The delegation’s tour included a meeting with Mayor Daley and tours of Chicago sites.
October
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee sponsored and hosted a welcoming party for two fiddlers from Galway, the Kane Sisters, who performed at Celtic Fest.
November
Focus: Fundraiser
The annual Oyster Festival of Racing took place at Hawthorne Race Track. A day of racing, traditional Irish music, and a buffet of Irish cuisine, including oysters were enjoyed by all.
December
Focus: Culture
Committee hosts an Irish “High Potential” Managers delegation in conjunction with DePaul University. A reception is held in their honor at Lizzie McNeill’s pub.
2003
June 28
Mayor Daley was awarded the highest honor in Galway, the Freedom of the City award for his dedication to furthering relationships between Chicago and Galway. Other recipients of the award include President John F. Kennedy, Pope John Paul II, and President Ronald Reagan.
August 18-20
Focus: Economic Development
The mayor of Galway visited Chicago with the "Spirit of Galway" delegation, and met with Mayor Daley.
November 16
Focus: Fundraiser
The annual Oyster Festival of Racing took place at Hawthorne Race Track. A day of racing, traditional Irish music, and a buffet of Irish cuisine, including oysters were enjoyed by all.
2002
November 17
Focus: Culture
The Committee's annual fundraiser, the Oyster Festival of Racing 2002, was held at Hawthorne Racetrack. Dinner, racing and a silent auction were among the activities at this exciting annual event.
2001
Focus: Culture
Galway Committee went as a group to see "The Weir" at Steppenwolf Theater.
Focus: Culture
Galway Mayor Quinn marched in South Side and downtown St. Patrick’s Day parades.
Focus: Government
Mayor Lyons of Galway and a delegation visited Chicago.
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee hosted a reception to honor Irish author Pat Mason, who participated in the Chicago Humanities Festival.
Focus: Education
The Galway Committee hosted a luncheon in honor of Professor Orser of Illinois State University who was conducting an archeological dig in Galway.
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee’s annual fundraiser “Galway Oyster Fest and Races” at Hawthorne Racetrack featured traditional Irish food, music, dancing and a live auction of Irish items.
2000
July
Focus: Culture
A cultural delegation from Chicago visited Galway. They visited with the mayor’s office and attended various conferences, particularly about healthcare and technology, and social services
Focus: Fundraiser
The Galway Committee held its annual Oysterfest fundraiser at Hawthorne Racetrack.
1999
Focus: Culture
While in Chicago for his play “Belfry,” Druid Theater Company playwright Billy Roche was hosted by the Galway Committee.
Focus: Economic Development
Mayor Declan McDonnell and a delegation spent two days in Chicago meeting with government and business leaders, and members of the Galway Committee. The Irish Oak hosted a dinner for the delegation.
Focus: Fundraiser
The Galway Committee’s annual fundraiser “Galway Oyster Fest and Races” took place in September at Hawthorne Racetrack.
Focus: Government
The Galway Committee hosted the Attorney General of Ireland during his visit to Chicago.
1998
Focus: Culture
Celtic Fest organizer met with officials of the Galway Arts Festival.
Focus: Culture
Galway performers were featured in the Celtic Festival.
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee hosted Mayor Angela Lynch-Lupton and a cultural delegation.
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee hosted a reception honoring Finton O’Toole, Irish Times author and critic on drama, film and literature.
Focus: Culture
In conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day, Fr. John O'Donahue, author of Anamcara, lectured in Chicago.
Focus: Culture
A World in a Weekend featured Galway.
Focus: Economic Development
The Galway Committee Chair was a featured speaker at Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and World Trade Center on doing business in Ireland.
Focus: Economic Development
A trade mission of 36 business and government leaders to Galway and Dublin was led by Cook County Assessor James Houlihan and the Honorable Neil Hartigan. Results of the mission included: 1) John Marshall Law School committed to work towards a joint program with University College Galway and Dublin Schools of Law; 2) Chicago law offices of Schiff, Hardin & Waite partnered with a law firm in Dublin, and 3) A Galway corporation decided to lead trade mission to Chicago in 1999.
Focus: Education
The Galway Committee Chair participated in “Principal for a Day” program.
Focus: Education
The Homework Show on local television featured Galway.
Focus: Fundraiser
The Galway Committee's annual benefit highlighted the Galway Horse Races and Oyster Festival at Hawthorne Race Track.
Focus: Government
The Galway Committee coordinated with John Marshall Law School on a seminar on the Euro and welcomed leaders from County Down in Northern Ireland to discuss possible collaborations.
Focus: Government
The Galway Committee hosted the Irish Ambassador to the United States.
Focus: Government
Galway Mayor Leahy, Galway Chief Financial Officer and a municipal delegation visited Chicago.
1997
Focus: Focus: Sister Cities Signing Agreement
Galway, Ireland became Chicago's fourth friendship city when Mayor John Mulholland and Mayor Richard M. Daley formalized the agreement in Chicago March 1997. Mayor Mulholland, along with the city manager and members of the Galway City Council attended meetings, marched in the South Side St. Patrick's Day parade, and attended a benefit which commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Great Famine and the founding of St. Patrick's Church.
Focus: Culture
The Galway Committee hosted its kick-off benefit, held in conjunction with the opening of "Riverdance."
Focus: Government
Mayor Michael Leahy of Galway visited Chicago with a delegation consisting of Galway City Council members. Business contacts were established with Ameritech and Waste Management. Waste Management sponsored a luncheon and tour of a landfill.
