MISSION OF SAN JOSE / DUBLIN SISTER CITY PROGRAM

The mission of the San Jose / Dublin Sister City Program is to develop cultural, economic, artistic and sporting ties between San Jose and Dublin as well as Silicon Valley. The program includes Irish Week, Education, Sporting, Community Outreach, the Arts and Business.

BRIEF HISTORY OF SAN JOSE / DUBLIN SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP

The San Jose / Dublin Sister City relationship was initiated in 1986 by then Mayor of San Jose, Tom McEnery and the current Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern, then Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ireland. It has thrived throughout the years with a large and active committee that stages an "Irish Week" each March which is attended by a Dublin delegation. The visitors usually comprise of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, a number of Dublin City Councilors, Dublin City Manager and the Chairman of the Dublin / San Jose Sister City Committee along with representatives of business, educational and artistic communities.

BOARD OFFICERS

Shane Patrick Connolly - President
Stephen Timothy "Tim" Quigley – Treasurer
Colleen Lane-Rafferty – Secretary

Useful Websites:

- City of San Jose
www.sanjoseca.gov

- San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.sanjose.org

- San Jose Youth Symphony
www.sjys.org

- Dublin City Council Website
www.dublincity.ie

- Dublin Chamber of Commerce
www.dubchamber.ie

IRISH WEEK and
SPIRIT OF IRELAND AWARD

Irish Week begins with a traditional Irish Breakfast, followed by the raising of the Irish and American flags outside San Jose City Hall by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and the Mayor of San Jose accompanied by the anthems of both countries. Other events are held throughout the week which culminates in the ‘Spirit of Ireland’ Award Dinner. This Award is presented to those individuals and/or companies whose accomplishments have exemplified the relationship between San Jose/ Silicon Valley and Ireland.

The first award was presented in 1989 to the then Mayor of San Jose, Tom McEnery.

On Saturday, March 8, 2008, the San Jose Dublin Sister City Program will honor community leader John Hannegan with the 2008 Spirit of Ireland Award. Click here for more information and to order tickets to this special event.

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