WIP 30th Anniversary Events in Belfast & Dublin
WIP 30th Anniversary Events in Belfast & Dublin
The Washington Ireland Program (WIP) was proud to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a series of events in Belfast and Dublin at the beginning of October. The two themes of the celebrations were gratitude and impact.
The gatherings included panel discussions, awards, a Graduation, and special receptions, with key figures from Northern Ireland and Ireland, and the US in attendance.
Click above to see 30th year celebratory video
On Friday, October 4, at Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast, WIP Alums and guests were warmly welcomed by First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister and WIP Alum Emma Little-Pengelly. The centerpiece of the day was a panel discussion on Service and Leadership at Stormont featuring WIP Alums who are Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs): Matthew O'Toole, Claire Sugden, David Brooks, and Nuala McAllister. The panel discussion was chaired by WIP Alum, Claire Savage-Hocking, and ended with remarks by WIP Vice Chair, Patrick McGlone.
The Northern Ireland Executive has provided longstanding support and played a vital role in fostering leadership, cross-community understanding, and positive change among the next generation. We were pleased to convey our thanks to the First and deputy First Minister and highlight our appreciation for this invaluable support. We look forward to continuing our shared efforts to nurture young talent and build lasting peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Friday evening featured an informal dinner at Custom House, which also paid tribute to the late Professor Roger Downer, a former WIP Board member. Professor Downer’s wife Jean and his daughter Tara attended this event.
Professor Downer was a distinguished academic and visionary leader whose commitment to education and youth development left an indelible mark on the WIP community. His wisdom, integrity, and passion for fostering leadership and understanding among young people in Ireland and Northern Ireland were evident throughout his time with WIP.
As President of the University of Limerick, Professor Downer championed innovation in education and the empowerment of future generations, values that aligned perfectly with WIP's mission. His leadership on the WIP Board was marked by deep insight, thoughtful guidance, and an unwavering belief in the potential of young leaders to drive positive change.
Professor Downer’s legacy lives on in the many lives he touched through his work at both WIP and the University of Limerick. The WIP community is profoundly grateful for his contributions and will remember him for his remarkable dedication to the program and to education as a whole.
Saturday, October 5, began with the WIP Class of 2024's Graduation Ceremony at Custom House, where family, friends, and Alums gathered to celebrate with the latest group of Emerging Leaders.
The Graduation of our 30th Class was a milestone, not just for our 2024 students, but for the Washington Ireland Program —a program that, for 30 years, has been dedicated to fostering leadership, understanding, and positive change across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the United States.
Our 2024 students embarked on a journey that challenged them, shaped them, and prepared them to take on the pressing issues of our time with vision, empathy, and courage. They spent months learning, growing, and serving, not just as individuals but as a community of future leaders.
The day was capped off by a Gala Ball at Belfast City Hall, which featured a fireside chat with former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, TD, and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who are both WIP Alums. They were presented with the Spirit of WIP award by WIP Founder, Carol Wheeler. Key speeches were given by WIP Chair Charles John O'Byrne and WIP Executive Director Nicola Skelly. The evening was capped off with a memorable musical performance from members of the WIP Class of 2024. We were delighted to receive a letter of congratulations of congratulations from a long-time WIP supporter, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, who hosted many WIP students for work placements during her time as First Lady and in the US Senate.
The celebrations continued on Sunday, October 6, with a special reception hosted by the US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin, at her Residence in Phoenix Park, Dublin, bringing together WIP Alums and supporters.
This event also provided an opportunity to recognize two individuals who have given so generously of their time over many years to the Washington Ireland Program. Eugene Hillery was recognized for his decade-long service as Treasurer of the WIP Board. Over the past 10 years, Eugene has played a pivotal role in managing the financial health and stability of the program, ensuring its continued success. His dedication, financial expertise, and commitment to the mission of WIP have been integral in helping the organization develop young leaders from Ireland and Northern Ireland. The WIP community acknowledged his contributions with appreciation, recognizing the lasting impact he has made on the program's growth and sustainability.
Bill Nolan, former Irish Ambassador to Zambia, was also recognized for his invaluable contribution in interviewing students for the Emerging Leaders Program over many years. Bill’s dedication, insight, and expertise have been instrumental in identifying and selecting promising young leaders for WIP. His commitment to the process has helped shape the future of many students, ensuring that they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. The WIP community greatly appreciates his support and the lasting impact he has made on the program and its participants.
The events culminated on Monday, October 7 with a meeting hosted by An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, at the Department of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings, Dublin.
This event fittingly closed a series of milestone celebrations that began in Washington, D.C. in February 2024, where the Taoiseach, as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, had been our guest of honor and keynote speaker at an event to launch our 30th year celebrations.
The meeting on Monday, October 7 allowed WIP Board and Leadership Council Members, staff, and Alums to talk about the impact of the program, as well as expressing their gratitude for the ongoing support received from the Irish Government. The Irish Government's steadfast commitment to WIP has played a critical role in the program’s success, enabling countless young people to develop the skills, networks, and experience needed to contribute positively to their communities. We are deeply grateful for this continued partnership and for the support that ensures the growth and impact of the Washington Ireland Program well into the future.
In the spirit of gratitude, here is an excerpt from Nicola Skelly, Executive Director WIP Remarks at the 30th Anniversary Gala Ball.
A very special thank you goes to the over 1,000 Alums of the Washington Ireland Program. You are the living legacy of this program. Your achievements, leadership, and service in your communities and careers stand as a testament to the power of the WIP experience.
A special thank you goes to our U.S. supporters, our current and former Board Members, our Leadership Council, and, of course, our incredible host families. For 30 years, our host families have opened their homes and hearts to our students, providing not only a place to stay but also invaluable support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. The connections forged with our participants are a true reflection of the generosity and cultural exchange that define this program. We are deeply grateful for your kindness.
A final word of thanks must go to the WIP Team. It is their passion, dedication, and hard work that keeps this program thriving and expanding. Their commitment to nurturing future leaders makes WIP a transformative experience for so many.
As we mark 30 years of WIP put on record our thanks to our government supporters—the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government, and to our colleagues at the U.S. State Department. We are also hugely grateful to our supporters on Capitol Hill who provide such remarkable opportunities for WIP’s Emerging Leaders to work in their offices.
Their unwavering commitment has been instrumental in WIP’s ongoing success. Thanks to their support, we have been able to build bridges between the U.S., Ireland, and Northern Ireland, fostering leadership, understanding, and positive change. We look forward to continuing this important work together.
Finally, we owe our deepest gratitude to Carol Wheeler, the visionary founder of the Washington Ireland Program.
Her passion for fostering leadership and understanding between the U.S., Ireland, and Northern Ireland has touched countless lives. Her dedication, vision, and tireless work has shaped WIP into a legacy of unity, collaboration, and hope. Thank you, Carol, for everything you have done to create opportunities for so many. We are forever grateful.
Thank you all for supporting the Washington Ireland Program as we look forward to the next 30 years of service, leadership, and impact.
A 30th Anniversary event in Washington DC in May 2024 with Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton.