Ambassador Byrne Nason launches USA250 at Notre Dame

The Keough-Naughton Institute's Ambassador Jim Kelly Diplomacy Speaker Series will bring distinguished Irish diplomats to Notre Dame to share their experience in fostering global engagement and international diplomacy.

The series is named in memory of Ireland’s former deputy permanent representative to the UN and ambassador to Canada. The late Ambassador Kelly was serving as Ireland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations on his untimely death in March 2022. Ambassador Byrne Nason spoke of Jim as dear friend, a consummate diplomat, and a patriot. She recalled their work together on the UN Security Council, emphasising the United Nations and multilateralism is as vital today as ever.

Throughout the lecture, Ambassador Byrne Nason reflected on her a career of diplomatic service, highlighting Ireland’s commitment to principled international engagement and multilateralism, as well as its longstanding partnership with the United States.

The Ambassador underscored that America250 presents a significant opportunity to celebrate Ireland’s deep historical, cultural and economic ties with the United States, while looking ahead to future collaboration.

‘’Next year we will mark 250 years since the people of the United States lit the spark that marked the beginning of this extraordinary nation founded on the ideals of liberty, democracy, and equality of opportunity that would reverberate across the world.

"Those ideals have inspired the generations of Irish people who made the United States their home. And, they have in turn worked towards forming that 'more perfect Union' promised at the start of the American constitution.

"It is for this reason that the milestone of 250 years is special for us in Ireland and our diaspora in the United States. Ireland is engaging with this commemoration with a programme of events which will culminate on St. Patrick’s Day next year. We are working alongside partners including the America 250 Semiquincentennial Commission, Irish America 250, as well as academic and community organisations in towns and cities across the country.’’

Following her her address, Ambassador Byrne Nason participated in a public conversation with former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, discussing their respective careers, women in diplomacy, Irish foreign policy, and the future of transatlantic relations. They also discussed women in diplomacy, and their respective careers.

The Ambassador Jim Kelly Diplomacy Speaker Series will bring distinguished Irish diplomats to Notre Dame to share their experience in fostering global engagement and international diplomacy. Read more about The Keough-Naughton Institute's Jim Kelly Diplomacy Speaker Series.

Watch Ambassador Byrne Nason's full lecture below.