Consulate General of Ireland, Chicago

Welcome to Chicago Rory O’Neill Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera!
Here for two events this week.

Join us for a literary conversation tomorrow, Bloomsday, at American Writers Museum

Also screening the Queen of Ireland on Thursday at 7pm Center on Halsted with Q&A afterwards with Rory

Bloomsday event:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rory-oneill-at-the-american-writers-museum-tickets-1989605434413?aff=oddtdtcreator

Pride Event:
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=2e66d97f-95f4-4105-944c-6eaa98b7afa6&envId=p-pQDG1976-0GYhmEMz8qXcg&zone=usa&fbclid=IwY2xjawSdKJRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBwbWpTNnQ5SjdzcnpKc3pJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHv-lSrH10E1Q_R_TzaTGCsekdlkG_nrwysyFesrKDUwNH7c2Yp_2uEOV_EUR_aem_2ezMC3nFl6WHhejb-U6_Eg

It was a privilege to host the Illinois Irish Caucus at Ireland House ahead of their visit to Ireland later this month, together with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

A great opportunity to discuss the strength of the two-way economic ties shared by Ireland and Illinois, along with the deep people-to-people ties that underpin our relationship 🇮🇪 🇺🇸

Thanks to Illinois Irish Caucus Co-Chair and all members of the Caucus for their ongoing commitment to strengthening the partnership between Ireland and Illinois 🤝

Ireland

Every year on 16 June, Ireland tips its hat, often literally, to one of our most iconic literary figures. Bloomsday celebrates James Joyce’s epic tale Ulysses, which follows Leopold Bloom’s day and night of wandering through Dublin. But it’s also become something more: a tribute to the written word.

Bloomsday and Beyond - Celebrating Ireland, Island of Writers - expands the scope of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s annual Bloomsday programme to include all Irish creative writers, present and past.

For Bloomsday 2026, the Consulate General of Ireland, Chicago and the American Writers Museum invite you to an event with writer, entertainer, drag queen, activist and ‘Queen of Ireland’ Rory O’Neill, also known as Panti Bliss.

As we continue to bloom into the beyond of our annual programming marking this day, this literary event will take us on an alternative exploration of Joyce’s work which sparkles with a few characters who can be considered part of the q***r spectrum, through to the LGBTQ+ writers and literature of today. It will traverse the path to the equality and inclusion that exists in today’s modern Ireland, vastly different from a century ago.

Tuesday, 16 June 11:30AM-1:30PM
American Writers Museum
180 N Michigan Ave, 2nd Floor

Event is free, but registration is required.
https://roryoneillatamericanwritersmuseumjune16.eventbrite.ie/

The Irish American Heritage Center was a hive of activity this past weekend as they hosted a beautiful event in collaboration with the Hope, Environment, and ArT Initiative dedicated to the humble bumble bee. 🐝

Guests enjoyed a mini vendor fest full of bee and honey themed products and a screening of the Irish documentary film, The Plight of the Bumblebee.

Created and produced by Brenda Castles, the film explores the history of bees in Irish folklore and religion, the issues bees face in our environment, and what we can do to help them.
The film screening was accompanied by the unique live soundtrack of traditional Irish music performed by Brenda Castles on concertina, Eileen Gannon on harp and Eimear Arkins on fiddle.🪗🪉🎻
Fantastic talent all around and not to be missed!

Upcoming screenings playing in New York and New England area.

Today, 01 June, marks the beginning of Pride Month on the island of Ireland, a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities, reflect on progress made, and recommit to the work that still lies ahead.

The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons is a domestic and foreign policy priority for Ireland.
Participation in annual Pride events shows our support to LGBTQI+ persons and LGBTQI+ civil society and draws attention to the inequalities experienced by persons with diverse s*xual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and s*x characteristics.

Join the Consulate General of Ireland and Center on Halsted on Thursday, 18 June for a special screening of 'The Queen of Ireland,' followed by a conversation with Rory O'Neill, also known as Panti Bliss.

Through film and discussion, we'll explore Ireland's journey to marriage equality, the social change that followed, and the continued importance of LGBTQ+ advocacy, visibility, and inclusion for communities around the world.

We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of reflection, conversation, and celebration as we kick off Pride Month together 🏳️‍🌈

Event is free, but advanced registration is required.
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=2e66d97f-95f4-4105-944c-6eaa98b7afa6&envId=p-pQDG1976-0GYhmEMz8qXcg&zone=usa

This summer is going to be busy!

Check out all the latest news and upcoming events in our June newsletter today.
https://conta.cc/4vi8y7y

Today is International Day of UN Peacekeepers where we remember and celebrate the brave women and men whose sacrifices uphold peace, protect civilians, deliver humanitarian aid, and promote and protect human rights and dignity.

Ireland’s participation in UN Peacekeeping operations represents the longest unbroken record of any nation. Since June 1958, not a day has passed without an Irish soldier deployed under a UN flag somewhere in the world 🌍