Join us for an evening with
BARBARA JONES
Consul General of Ireland
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. | Registration
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Presentation and Q+A
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Reception w/ Food and Drinks
Consulate General of Ireland
345 Park Avenue #1700
New York, New York 10154
This FREE event is for UNA-NYC Chapter Members ONLY
All UNA Members MUST Pre-Register to Attend
Join Us for a Visit to Ireland — in New York!
Come and join us for this UNA-NYC Members Only event, as we'll warmly welcome Consul General Barbara Jones, who will share hospitality as well as much information and insight into Irish affairs and culture.
From passage tombs older than the pyramids to cities founded by Vikings, crumbling castles to grand country estates, Ireland's history is etched on its landscape. In the 7,000 years that this country has been inhabited, it has been invaded and settled by the Celts, the Vikings, the Normans, the English and the Scots and they have all left their mark on its history, geography, culture, language and people.
In recent times, Ireland's rapid economic growth from 1993 to 2007 saw it become one of the world's most dynamic economies. However, the global economic downturn, a lengthy property market boom and problems within the Irish banking system led to recession from which the country is still recovering. The good news is that the Irish economy returned to growth in 2011 and is continuing to expand.
For a small country (with its 4.6 million population), Ireland has made a big impact. It has given the world saints and scholars, artists and entrepreneurs, scientists and sporting heroes. It has built a reputation for innovation, hard work and determination, as part of its inimitable outlook on life. Ireland is unique — and this visit to the Consulate General of Ireland in New York City will show you why.
The Consulate General of Ireland in NYC
The Consulate General of Ireland was established in New York City in 1930, when the world was in the midst of the Great Depression. In Ireland, the 1930s was a period of significant political and constitutional changes that culminated in the adoption of the Constitution of Ireland in 1937. The first Consulate General of Ireland in New York was located in the newly opened Graybar Building, near Grand Central Terminal on Lexington Avenue.
Today, Ireland's Embassy, Consulates and State Agencies in the U.S. pursue opportunities that will deliver economic growth and jobs for Ireland. They also help maintain and enhance links with the Irish-American diaspora and promote Irish culture in new and traditional forms.
The Consulate General works closely with its Embassy in Washington, D.C., Ireland's other Consulates and State Agencies throughout the United States to promote trade, tourism and inward investment.
Among its many activities, it supports Irish companies who want to find and access new markets and help with resolving commercial difficulties. It also provides general advice on doing business locally and, through various contacts, pursuing export and investment opportunities that will benefit Ireland, as well as working to secure market access for Irish products in key sectors in high-growth and emerging markets.
Ireland's Embassy, Consulates and Honorary Consuls also help to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens who need it while travelling in the United States. Its range of other service areas include visas and passports, citizenship, authentication and certification of documents, and working holiday agreements between the U.S. and Ireland.
BARBARA JONES
Barbara Jones took up duty as Consul General of Ireland in New York in 2014.
She was born in Co. Wexford, Ireland. She is a graduate of Arts (French and History) (1977-1980) of University College, Dublin and holds post graduate qualifications in Education (1980-1981) from University College, Dublin and in Computer Science (1982-1983) from the National Institute of Higher Education (University of Limerick.)
Her career at the Department of Foreign Affairs began in September 1983. She has worked primarily on Anglo Irish and European Union issues. She was head of Humanitarian Aid policy (1994-1997) and travelled extensively in Africa over that time. Her overseas postings include assignments at the Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco (1986-1990); at the Embassy of Ireland at Luxembourg (1991-1993) and as Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in London dealing with political relations and the Northern Ireland peace process.
In September 2012, Ms. Jones was appointed Joint Secretary at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast. She took up duty as Consul General of Ireland in New York in September 2014.
Ms. Jones served in two other government Departments in Dublin from 1997-2002. From 1999 to 2002, she served as Speech Writer and Special Adviser in the Department of the Taoiseach. Prior to that (1997 to 1999) she was seconded to the Trade Section of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, where she wrote and developed a new long term strategy for promoting Irish trade with China and Asia. She has a very good command of Irish and French.
Ms. Jones is married to Mr. Oliver O'Connor, who is a business consultant specialising in healthcare finance, innovation and public policy. She has two sons and a daughter, Killian O'Connor, Tadhg O'Connor and Maeve Jones-O'Connor.
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NOTE: Only UNA-NYC Members have guaranteed seating to all our Ambassador Series events, and attend for free or pay the discounted Members' admission, while UNA-NYC Student Members attend most events for free. While we do offer a pay-at-the-door policy for guests and non-members, our events are often sold-out, so we strongly encourage membership with UNA-NYC to guarantee your seats!