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In preparation for the visit of President John F. Kennedy to Ireland in 1963, as
a measure to build institutional form around a structure to improve the relations
between America and Ireland, two organizations were created. One was dedicated to
cultural relations (The American Irish Foundation) and the other—The Ireland-U.S.
Council—was aimed at building business bonds between
America and Ireland.
The Council was registered as a not-for-profit corporation in early 1963 by a group
of American and Irish business executives led by John D.J. Moore, the American envoy
to Ireland. In those early years, Ireland was not a member of the European Community.
Thus, many of the Council's initiatives during the 1960's and early 1970's involved
the bilateral relationship between the United States and Ireland in economic, business
and commercial matters.
The Council's officers and representatives in those days were heavily involved in
various cases before the Federal Trade Commission, committees of the Congress, the
Federal Aviation Administration and other Government agencies.
Since, Ireland became a full member of the European Union in 1973, the character
and nature of the relationship between the two countries changed quite dramatically.
The strict bilateralism of the earlier decade was replaced, on many issues, by Ireland's
interests being served on a pan-European level.
In pursuit of its aim, the Council hosts frequent events in Ireland and in the United
States. The Council also operates a variety of scholarship and student internship
programs, stages occasional seminars and, from time to time, undertakes various
publishing initiatives in national business media in the United States to promote
closer commercial connections between Ireland and America.
The Council seeks also to focus on activities that will develop communications,
dialogue and improved understanding between leaders in business and government on
both sides of the Atlantic. There are many important arenas in which the economic
relations between the Emerald Isle and the United States continue to attract the
Council's involvement. These range from bilateral taxation treaties to intellectual
property accords to aviation agreements.
As we seek to strengthen the ties that bind us, the Council is pleased to note that
the state of economic relations between Ireland and America has never been stronger.
Click here to join the Council or learn
more about the benefits of Council membership.
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