Chairman Niall O'Dowd
Niall O'Dowd is the founder of Irish America Magazine and Irish
Voice newspaper in New York. The Irish Voice played a
key role in the setting up of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement
in 1987. That movement, composed mainly of young Irish undocumented
themselves, was hugely responsible for the subsequent Donnelly and Morrison
visa programs. He initiated the Irish American Peace Delegation in 1992
that played a key role in bringing about the 1994 IRA ceasefire and
involving President Clinton in the Irish peace process. His recent book,
"Fire in the Morning" an account of the Irish at the World
Trade Center on September 11 2001, was a best-seller in Ireland.
Vice-Chairman Ciaran Staunton
Ciaran Staunton is a native of Westport County Mayo and co-founder of
the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform. He is the owner of O'Neill's
Bar and Restaurant, one of the most popular hostelries in Manhattan.
Ciaran was a co-founder of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement in
the late 1980s which lobbied successfully for the Donnelly and Morrison
visa schemes.
He played a major part in the American role in the peace process and
worked closely with the Sinn Fein leadership and Irish American leaders
to bring about the Adams visa and the IRA ceasefire. He lives in Queens
with his wife Orlaith and son Rory and daughter Kathleen.
Executive Director Kelly
Fincham
Kelly Fincham is a former journalist from Drogheda in Co Louth, Ireland,
and a current resident of New York's Woodlawn. In March 2007, she was
honored by NYC Speaker Christine Quinn for her work on behalf of the
Irish undocumented and gave an address in the chambers in City Hall.
In April 2006, she was honored by the New
York City Comptroller Bill Thompson for her "dedicated
service and invaluable assistance to the Irish immigrant community".
Prior to joining the ILIR, Kelly was the US representative for the Irish
charity GOAL where she spearheaded the organizations's online outreach,
marketing and fundraising. Before joining GOAL, Kelly worked in senior
editorial posts with the Irish Voice in New York, Irish Independent
in Dublin, and Australian Financial Review and Daily Telegraph in Sydney.
