Tag Archives: US Ambassador Kevin O’Malley

A CLARE writer has won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. Bilingual poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa won the €10,000 prize, which is awarded for a body of work by a young Irish writer that shows exceptional promise. The award follows the recent publication of her collection of poetry, Clasp. Announcing the winner, Ireland chair of poetry and selection committee member Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin said, “Doireann NI Ghríofa is a poet to watch, with a fresh view of the world: apparently ordinary houses, shops, common objects and activities. The sureness of her touch and the skill with which she handles language and shapes her poems are almost invisible but it is through them that she achieves the feat of making us look again at the usual and illuminates its pulsating strangeness. “She is a brilliant addition to the distinguished succession of bilingual poets writing in Irish and English.” Doireann said that contrary to some descriptions in the media, she is a …

In an effort to improve communication and build a better network for outgoing J-1 summer work and travel participants, the US Embassy is to work with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and local agencies and US sponsors on a series of outreach and information events. Kicking off this year’s J-1 visa season will be the first such briefing to be held on Monday next at 1pm in University College Dublin. The US Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs will join the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) and local partner, USIT at the orientation session for outgoing J-1 exchange participants in the debating chamber. Approximately 150 outgoing J-1 participants are expected to attend. US Ambassador Kevin O’Malley has said, “The J-1 visa programme is a very important ingredient in the strong U.S.-Irish relationship. As the US Ambassador, I am often told that the Irish ‘get’ Americans. I am convinced that this massive J-1 programme is an underappreciated factor, for …