Keynote covers Irish political and economic prospects

Former Syracuse area Congressman Jim Walsh and Alex Maskey, a Sinn Fein legislator from Belfast, Northern Ireland, offered their views on contemporary Ireland as the keynote speakers at Ireland Today, the first annual Irish Studies Program conference at St. John Fisher College on Friday, March 16.

Jim Walsh

Walsh gave a thorough description of his Irish background, which included growing up in the Tipperary Hill neighborhood of Syracuse. As a member of Congress he became involved in U.S. efforts to bring peace between Catholic and Protestant factions in Northern Ireland, traveling to the country for the first time in 1995 as part of a delegation headed by President Bill Clinton. After that first 38 hour trip to Ireland and back home again on zero hours of sleep, he said has made 25 trips to work with peace process and, more recently efforts, to get Ireland back on its feet economically.

Don Bain introduces keynote speakers.

He described the economic rise and fall of the country, including how in the late 1980s 33 percent of the country was on welfare. The global economic boom of the 1990s and early 2000s, along with Ireland joining the European Union, turned it from one of the poorest countries in Europe to one of the richest. Much of that economic progress was undone, however, by the financial system collapse and recession that started in 2008.

This has led him to be involved in efforts to rebuild the economy. His efforts were eventually noticed by Ireland’s prime minister who asked him to become part of the Global Irish Network. This is a group of 270 participants from all different countries working together to establish peace and stability in Ireland.

Since these  efforts have begun, hopes have risen, business and culture are again growing, and debt is being resolved. “There is no doubt this financial crisis will move to the rear view mirror in Ireland as it has in the U.S.,” he concluded.

Honorable Alex Maskey

As an equalizer to his counterpart’s heavy, revealing presentation, Maskey provided a bit of comic relief, with a funny story about President Clinton’s involvement and how there was a misunderstanding between him and the residents of Ireland when the news was released that he would be lighting their Christmas tree.

Maskey turned to more serious topics, however, in discussing the political situation he was raised with in Belfast, during the 1970s era of armed conflict between the British rulers and groups that wanted independence for the province of Northern Ireland.

But in the early 1980s, a new generation of leaders said the armed conflict should  end and a different way to resolve things should be found. Sinn Fein, the political party representing the pro-independence forces, began winning elections to Belfast City Council and other bodies.

“It showed Republicans (those seeking independence) and Unionists (those favoring British rule) that we could work together through an electoral process,” he said

He said that the one thing they needed to understand was that “it is important to listen to all sides when it comes to politics.” He said that as long as the creative juices keep flowing, this generation is going to end this conflict and that the new development plan is all about inclusivity.

“Our country and my people have learned a lot in the recent years,” but there is still more to be learned, he acknowledged.

He ended his presentation by emphasizing the impact of ordinary people in terms of help.  “Ordinary people can do wonderful things when you know what you want to do.”

- Danielle Barteld and Jack Rosenberry

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