Xavier inand the BLUE WORLD Maroon
American Ireland Fund, the major nonprofit that raises funds for worthwhile, innovative causes in Ireland and the U.S. After he met Daly, who also serves as chairman of the Ireland America Association, and learned about plans for the 1916 student commemoration in Ireland, Tully helped orchestrate the Senator’s September 2015 visit to Xavier. It involved a bit of research. Aware of Thomas Francis Meagher’s connection to 16th Street, Tully hit the history books (including a memoir about Meagher’s life) for facts to share with Daly. After emigrating to the United States, the Jesuit-educated Meagher volunteered to fight for the Union during the Civil War, eventually serving as brigadier general of the famed Fighting 69th. Joseph McCoy, an early Xavier alumnus, saved Meagher’s life at the First Battle of Bull Run—and after serving as governor of the Montana Territory, Meagher’s funeral was held at the Church of St. Francis Xavier. Impressed by Xavier’s immigrant history and interconnectedness with the Meagher story, Daly extended an invitation to Xavier students to attend the national flag presentation ceremony. Tully’s persistence had paid off. “I wanted to make sure Xavier students had access to a great experience that would introduce Irish cultural and political history to them,” Tully said. And so it did. During a whirlwind six-day tour chaperoned by Executive Vice President Dan Dougherty and Director of Annual Giving Shane Lavin ’03, Xavier’s student delegation traversed Dublin, Waterford, and Wexford, visiting sites integral to the country’s history and meeting the power players writing Ireland’s story now. Mark Daly hosted the Xavier delegation at Leinster House, the seat of Ireland’s Parliament, Dáil Éireann, and Kevin O’Malley, the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, met with students in Waterford. Members of Xavier’s student delegation were quick to
recall their favorite moments of the trip, including their visit to two of Ireland’s Jesuit schools, Belvedere College and Clongowes Wood College (Meagher’s alma mater). “At both schools, we were able to sit with students and administrators to discuss the commonalities between us, such as the religious service programs and the common brand of education that all Jesuit schools share,” said Paul Gargiulo ’16. “This trip not only allowed us to explore and learn about Irish culture, but it also allowed us to see the commonalities between our two nationalities.” Those commonalities were experienced powerfully at Croke Park on March 7, when Xavier students attended the long-awaited flag ceremony alongside their counterparts from Ireland and around the world. Liam Fitzgibbon ’17, who accepted the Irish flag on Xavier’s behalf, was especially moved. “There was one statement made that day that stayed with me: ‘This celebration is not a tourist attraction and should be not treated as such. It is the celebration of our proud history,’” he recalled. “This made me think about my actions on this trip and my attitude towards the celebration of Irish history.” “Throughout my entire trip to Ireland, I was amazed at the amount of culture and tradition that is contained in the natives’ everyday lives. The singing and dancing, the heritage sites, the antiques, the Gaelic football matches, and many more activities and sites made this a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me,” added Peter McNally ’17. “It made me realize that Ireland and Irish culture is part of who I am, and I truly thank Xavier and my parents for providing me with a lifechanging experience that I will never forget.” Shawna Gallagher Vega is Xavier’s Director of Communications. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Boston College.
XAVIER’S IRISH ITINERARY Sunday, March 6: Waterford, Dublin Attend Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity •
Monday, March 7: Dublin Tour Dublin City by Bus • Attend
Walk Along the Harbor and Beach at Dunmore
National Flag Presentation
East • Attend Flag-raising Ceremony in Waterford •
Ceremony • Tour Dublin Castle •
Meet Kevin O’Malley, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland
Enjoy Traditional Music at The
• Meet Members of New York’s 69th Infantry
Merry Ploughboy Pub
Regiment (Formed by Meagher) 26 XAVIER MAGAZINE