Next Gen Kennedy to Congress? Consul General event
PDX HIBERNIAN INDEPENDENT 14 May 2026
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MEET CONSUL GENERAL MICHEAL SMITH AT KELLS - The men and women who represent Ireland around the world, whether as Consuls General or embassy staff, are the face of their nation. Micheal Smith, one of eight CGs in the U.S., has been Ireland's diplomat to the West Coast since 2023. He's served previously as Director of Global Ireland in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Dublin and at the Embassy of Ireland in Singapore. Next diplomatic mission: Ireland's Consul General in Saudi Arabia. TONIGHT MAY 14 - IRISH NETWORK PORTLAND will host a relaxed, no-host dinner to thank Micheal for his service here. Join us at Kells on 2nd Ave at 7p. RSVP to irishnetworkportland@gmail.com
NEXT THURSDAY PHS MEETING - 21 MAY 2026 - Seven P.M.- Kells Restaurant - 112 SW Second Ave.When JFK Went "Home" to Ireland. Presentation by Hibernian Pat Casey. Dinner at Six P.M. (No host). Presentation and discussion after dinner. Free dessert. JFK Trivia too.
SPEAKING OF JFK - The grandson of JFK and son of Caroline, Jack Schlosserg, is running for Congress from New York City. "Early polls have showed Schlossberg parlaying his Kennedy aura, name recognition and attention grabbing social media chops into a shocking lead in Manhattan's affluent and influential NY-12 district."New York Daily News 10 May 2026. The NY primary is June 23. The winner on the Dem side is favored to win in the general election from this liberal district. Six Kennedys have served in Congress so far.
EUROVISION - WHY IRELAND'S OUT - The annual talent competition among European nations that's been around since 1965 and is watched by hundreds of millions is called Eurovision. Ireland has won it seven times and is the ony nation to win it three times in a row - 1992, 93 and 94. But Ireland's not competing in this year's Eurovision 2026, which started this week. Read here to find out about the boycott. Many Americans think Riverdance once won at Eurovision. Not so. Riverdance dancers performed out of competition during the 1994 telecast and blew everyone away. See it here for yourself.
OUCH! WHY RORY'S LIMPING AT THE PGA - Rory McIlroy's bid for back to back victories at Major golf tournaments this weekend would be tough enough without an annoying toe injury. But that's what he's dealing with. The blister is underneath the pinky toe of his right foot, making it difficult to get at. However, it has since been revealed that he soaked his foot in the beath, before ripping off the toenail to get at the blister. McIlroy is set to wear specially-made shoes to ease the pain caused by the injury,reported Balls.ie. First round play begins this morning.
MEMBERSHIP - Go raibh maith agat to you Hibernians who have renewed your membership or joined the PHS. (The rest of you will be reminded about our affordable dues on the anniversary of when you last paid.) If you’re not a member but would like to support the PDX Hibernian Independent, CLICK HERE. It’s a mere $35 yearly. OR bring your dues to the meeting next Thursday and talk to Tim Hennessy. A membership in the Portland Hibernian Society comes with your subscription. And vice versa. This month's new and renewed members: Brigid Boyle, Emma Burke, Stephen Connolly, Daniel Curran, Margaret Doherty, Stephen Dunne, Anna Fischer, Jaye Fraser, Dan Holden, Mike Phillips.
MEMORIAL - Ivan Kafoury of Portland may not have had a drop of Irish blood in him, but he was a friend to so many local Irish Americans that his recent passing is worth noting. Hibernian Ed Curtin played softball on Portland diamonds with Ivan for years and sent along Ivan’s obituary. I can’t tell you how many times you would hear, “Everyone knows Ivan Kafoury” when his name came up, as it often did whenever “Old Portland “ was mentioned. Ivan was 86.
Hibernian High Cross at Mt. Calvary the morning it was dedicated, December 13, 2008.