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O'Dowd gets Tip O'Neill Award
27.08.12
JOURNALIST Niall O'Dowd
has been named the recipient of the inaugural Tip
O'Neill Donegal Diasporo Award. The award has been
set up in memory of the former speaker of the US
House of Representatives whose maternal ancestors
came from Buncrana. The award, conferred by Donegal
County Council and Buncrana Town Council, recognises
"a member of the worldwide Irish Diaspora, in
recognition of the success and achievement attained
in their field". It will be presented in Buncrana on
September 7 by Nobel Laureate, John Hume.
Niall O'Dowd emigrated from Ireland in his
mid-twenties to the US in June 1978. |
As a successful
journalist and editor, he was a voice for Irish
emigrants in the US and played a pivotal role in the
Irish peace process. He was the leader of an Irish
American peace delegation to Northern Ireland in the
early nineties. Former US President Bill Clinton has
stated that his involvement in the Northern Ireland
issue came about through his relationship with
O’Dowd. He is also founder of Irish Central and the
Irish Voice newspaper.
A Donegal County Council spokesperson today said:
"It is felt that Niall O’Dowd portrays the essence
of this award and is an example of all that is
positive about our diaspora." |
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Niall O'Dowd. |
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Meanwhile, the first
annual Tip O’Neill Diaspora Lecture will be
delivered the following day by Professor Paul
Arthur, an expert in Irish-American politics. Five
national schools in Buncrana will be presented with
bursaries in honour of O’Neill from the Irish
American Partnership while a permanent memorial to
him will be unveiled along the shore in the seaside
town. |
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