Washington Ireland Program

We are proud to announce the WIP Academy 2026 cohort who have been nominated from community organisations across the island. You can find out more about our dedicated young community leaders on the WIP website via the link in our bio 🔗 Special thanks to our program sponsors @irishforeignministry and @bankofamerica for supporting 4 generations of WIP Academy leaders who shape the future of communities across the island.

We are delighted to announce the WIP Emerging Leaders Class of 2026. 30 students from colleges across Northern Ireland and Ireland have been selected for our annual leadership and service program which includes an 8-week program delivered in Washington DC in June and July. Find out more about our class on the WIP website via the link in our bio 🔗 Our thanks to our program sponsors @dept_fheris and @execofficeni for their ongoing support to bring this opportunity to students who are leading and serving in communities across the island.

As we close in on three weeks to go to the best night of the year, we're so excited to announce the return of a fan favorite: Tracy O'Grady! Tracy is our longest serving chef partner having participated in 13 out of 14 Evening with Celtic Chefs. We're delighted to welcome Tracy back as she launches her new venture - Travelers Chili Crisp. Inspired by her passion for food and curiosity about the world, Tracy has created nine unique chili crisps including Greek, Calabrian, Buffalo and more. She will be serving delightful tastings paired with burrata and bread at Celtic Chefs and we can't wait for our guests to be some of the first to enjoy the fruits of her labor! A special thank you to this week's event sponsor @iubac where the DC WIP staff offices are based. Buy your tickets and check out sponsorship opportunities via the link in our bio 🔗

Last Thursday evening, our Alumni Community joined us for an in-conversation event with journalist and author Sam McBride, in Custom House Belfast. The event explored Sam's book, co-authored with Fintan O'Toole, "For and Against a United Ireland", commissioned by ARINS (Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South), a joint partnership between the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame and the Royal Irish Academy. Special thanks to Sam McBride, Holly Watson (WIP Class of 2023) who moderated the Q&A discussion and Susie Deedigan, ARINS Project Manager for providing an overview of the objectives of the Project. WIP Alumni had the opportunity to connect with each other from across the decades for an insightful debate. Read more and explore the photos from the occasion from the link in our bio 🔗 @thearinsproject @keoughglobalnd @unddublin @royalirishacademy

We're so excited to be highlighting several new producers at this year's Celtic Chefs! Guests are in for a big treat with wonderful tasting tables and signature drinks from across the emerald isle. @kerrygoldusa will have a selection of their fantastic cheeses and butters for sampling @wildatlanticdistillery will have tastings of their signature whiskey, vodka, and gin @thebelfastcoffeeco boasts the best small batch coffee in Belfast (they definitely aren't biased!) and will be sampling some of their signature roasts @thedublincoffeeco will also be sampling their traditional Irish coffee blends @kinsalespiritco is returning with another year of delicious cocktails You can't have a Celtic themed event without tea, so we're delighted to have @thompsons.tea in attendance. A special thank you to this week's event sponsor, @accenture who have been WIP’s longest standing corporate supporter! Get your tickets and explore sponsorship options today via the link in our bio 🔗

We are delighted to formally launch our WIP Alumni Engagement Strategy! Built around our three pillars - Connect, Celebrate and Contribute - we have so much for you to get involved in. It's all in our new webpages (click the link in our bio 🔗 ) We would love for you to spread this exciting news with your networks so please repost and share to help us reach more Alumni. From events, to profiles of our Alumni and of course the ever-popular Class photos, you’ll find everything you need to connect with our WIP Alumni community. We invite our Alumni to join our new private LinkedIn Group (check the link in our bio 🔗) We are grateful to Michael O'Hare (WIP Board Member) and Eamonn O'Hare for their generous support which has made this work possible.

With 5 weeks to go until WIP’s Celtic Chef event, we’re delighted to spotlight some of our incredible returning Celebrity Chefs! Chef Alex Vasquez of @raresteak_dc - a premier American steakhouse with an unbeatable wine list located next to our host sponsor LiUNA Niall Duffy of @twoandahalfirishmen - known for his scrumptious baked goods and based out of Richmond, VA Caroline Johnston of @greenislandbakery - crafting traditional Irish and European shortbread with family recipes in the DMV Chef Sarah White of @westovertaco_ - check them out for tacos, margaritas or brunch at their Arlington, VA location Chef Darren Hendry of @j.hollingers - known for chophouse classics, fresh seafood and craft cocktails in Silver Spring, MD  Huge thanks and appreciation to our host sponsor, LiUNA for an incredible venue and an amazing team behind the scenes.  Bring your appetites on Thursday June 4th and check out sponsor and ticket options in the link in our bio 🔗

Last week, the WIP Academy 2026 gathered in Belfast for their second Development Day. The activities focused on personal and professional development which included a Conflict Resolution Workshop with Michele Larmour (Vice Chair of the WIP Board), a speaker session with Emma Shaw (Founder and Director of Phoenix Education Centre) and a workshop on lobbying politicians effectively with DUP Councillor Aaron Callen (WIP Class of 2011). We are grateful to our Alumni from both our Academy and Emerging Leaders programs, for joining the networking session to share their WIP journeys and listen to the community impact that our Academy participants have generated. The day also made time for work project groups to meet and for WIP Conversations groups to adapt their innovative policy ideas into video storyboards. A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed their time and expertise on Saturday to support this year's cohort. An additional special mention to James Reynolds and Ben Johnston for delivering their masterclasses ranging from mental health symbolism in tattoos to an introduction to restorative justice in community work. We would also like to recognise the generosity of the @irishforeignministry and @bankofamerica for their support funding the next generation of community leaders. We wish our Academy participants the best of luck for their work project presentations to our project partners next week and thank our dedicated team of Work Project Coordinators for their commitment over the past two months to guide the Academy participants to the finish line.

With just 6 weeks to go until the 14th Annual Evening with Celtic Chefs, we’re delighted to announce that our 2026 honoree is Samantha Barry, Editor in Chief and Global Editorial Director of Glamour. Join us for an evening of culinary creativity with an exciting lineup of Chefs and VIP Celebrity Sous Chefs hailing from the fields of politics, journalism, business, and the Irish American community. Check out our webpage today to become an event sponsor or buy your ticket! 🔗 Link in bio All proceeds support the Washington Ireland Program's work of leadership development and peace building.

Last week, our WIP Academy 2026 came together in Dublin for their first Development Day, focused on building leadership and professional skills. A sincere thank you to our speakers Adam Donovan, Brandon O'Connor, and Philip O'Callaghan for providing meaningful workshops and speaker sessions. An additional thank you to our Alumni from the Academy and Emerging Leaders programs for attending the networking session to learn from the Academy participants' community impact and share their WIP journeys with the group. Well done to Aisha Alameen Betro for delivering her Masterclass on widening access to AEDs and CPR training. We look forward to continuing these conversations at our upcoming Belfast Development Day, as we create a space for young community leaders to learn, grow, and be inspired by one another. Special thanks to @unddublin for hosting us and to @irishforeignministry and @bankofamerica for their generous support funding this impactful program.

Last weekend, the Washington Ireland Program (WIP) Class of 2026 gathered at the Corrymeela Community in Ballycastle to officially launch this year’s Emerging Leaders program. Over three days, our 30 emerging leaders engaged in intensive workshops, speaker sessions, and masterclasses designed to prepare them for the journey ahead. A sincere thank you to the speakers who shared their expertise and inspired our students: Rachel Doran (WIP Board Member) for welcoming the Class at Custom House before our journey to Ballycastle. Professor Duncan Morrow (Ulster University) for an intensive session covering 500 years of Northern Ireland and Ireland's history in just one hour. Claire Sugden MLA (WIP Class of 2010) for reflecting on how the program shaped her leadership journey to the NI Assembly. Anne Phillipson (Phillipson Performance Partners) for her reflective workshop on communication and leadership styles. Philip O'Callaghan (Tony Blair Institute for Global Change & WIP Class of 2015) for his public speaking masterclass and for chairing a spirited formal class debate. Aaron Callan (DUP Councillor & WIP Class of 2011) for his practical workshop on lobbying and political engagement. Patrick McGlone (WIP Board Vice Chair) and his husband Kevin Taylor for providing invaluable insight into the host family experience. We also want to thank the Alumni who joined our networking session to provide the Class of 2026 with practical advice for their upcoming travels to DC. Finally, well done to Anna Grew, Gareth Lennox, and Eoghan Curran for launching this year’s student-led masterclasses. The talent and passion of this Class is already infectious. The journey has officially begun! Read more about the WIP Class of 2026 via the link in our bio 🔗

Two weeks ago, the WIP Academy 2026 program began at @thearmaghcityhotel . Each young community leader was nominated by organisations across the island for their dedication to local impact. We met to build connections and create a space for participants to reflect on their own leadership traits while learning how to adapt and collaborate effectively with different leadership styles. The Work Project Groups are now diving into topical research on: Youth Democracy | Human Rights & Art | Hate Crime | Education Rights | Mental Health Services Huge thanks to our Project Partners: Amy Dacey (@ausineinstitute ), Tara-Grace Connolly (NI Human Rights Commission), Shawna Hennessy (@black_andirish ), Rachel Doran & Nicola Topping (NI @educationauthority ), and Maria Ní Fhlatharta (@centerforinclusivepolicy ) Special thanks to our WIP Alumni who make up the Work Project Coordinator team: Stephanie Callaghan, Cathal McParland, Conor Forker, Luke Gibbons, and Laoise Byrne. We are grateful to our sponsors the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Bank of America for supporting the fourth generation of the WIP Academy program. @irishforeignministry @bankofamerica The WIP Academy profiles launch on the WIP website this Monday, March 16th. Stay tuned to find out more about our incredible 2026 community.