Ireland – Day 5 (connections)

We met with Kate Tyrell and Ruaidhrí Dowling from the Anglo-Irish Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the Iveagh House.  We lucked out once again in that our visit coincided exactly with…

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on a three-day visit marking The United Nations’ 70th anniversary and Ireland’s 60th year as a member of the international organization.

Ruaidhrí and Kate impressed with knowledge a mile wide and a mile deep on all affairs of the state, commerce, politics, trends, opportunities, cultures, and policy.  The students developed an appreciation for the complexity of a start-up with a global perspective versus one with a more narrow market focus.

The class also visited The Dail (Ireland’s legislative body), and especially appreciated all the connections to the U.S. (e.g., Civil War flag, inspiration for the Oval Office, 3 presidents {Kennedy, Reagan & Clinton}, and a declaration of independence.

The students then split into three groups to work with Start-up Ireland, Nuritas and iData.  Long day, but a fulfilling one!