Taoiseach Enda Kenny presents US President, Barack Obama, with a Certificate of Irish Heritage at a St. Patrick’s Day reception at the White House on 20 March 2012.

The Certificate of Irish Heritage:
The Certificate of Irish Heritage is the first official recognition by the Irish Government of the 70 million members of the global Irish community. It is part of an official Irish government initiative to recognize the enduring emotional ties of the Irish diaspora to the home of their ancestors. Those who receive Certificate will be communicated with regularly to promote tourism, education and investments in Ireland.

History:
Senator Daly put forward the merits of a Certificate of Irish Heritage to Ray Bassett, head of the Irish Abroad unit, in the Department of Foreign Affairs in March 2009 and to the White House in March 2012. Senator Daly is delighted to have worked with department officials, designers and Irish Organisations Overseas to make the certificate to a reality. Since the licence to produce, market and distribute the Certificate was issued to Kerry based company FEXCO, Senator Daly has worked with them to ensure widespread exposure and promotion to the Irish abroad.

Some recipients of the Certificate of Irish Heritage include the following:

The Senator was honoured to be at the White House on the 20th of March to see the 22nd president of the United States to have Irish ancestry be presented with a Certificate of Irish Heritage.

Senator Mark Daly presents American football Coach Brian Kelly, of the University of Notre Dame, with a Certificate of Irish Heritage on 18 November 2011.

Irish Deputy Prime Minister, Eamon Gilmore, presents American actor Tom Cruise with his Certificate of Irish Heritage.

Senator Mark Daly presents Governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, with a Certificate of Irish Heritage on the occasion of his visit to Waterford.

Senator Mark Daly presents Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, with a Certificate of Irish Heritage.

Senator Mark Daly presents Congressman Joe Kennedy III with a Certificate of Irish Heritage.

Senator Mark Daly presents the Certificate of Irish Heritage to John Hugh Garvey, President of the Catholic University of America on 21 March 2012

Senator Daly presents Brian Dennehy with his Certificate of Irish Heritage.

Senator Mark Daly with Ambassador Dan Rooney, presenting Certificates of Irish Heritage to the Roses of Tralee.

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