| | Manuscript Collection | Save | | 1 | Title: | Creative Irish Gifts Catalog Company Records
| | | | Creator: | Creative Irish Gifts Catalog Company | | | | Dates: | 1987-2001 | | | | Abstract: | Creative Irish Gifts Catalog Company (f. 1986) was established in Illinois by Robert and Diane O'Connor, and in later years moved to northeast Ohio. Robert (b. 1939) was born in Dublin, Ireland, growing up during a time of much strife in Northern Ireland. His childhood experience left him with an impression that has remained with him all his life. To help ease the suffering of the children in Northern Ireland, he and his wife, Diane (nee Baron) decided to set up a fund to allow Protestant and Catholic children from the most derelict areas of Belfast and Derry, Northern Ireland, to come to the United States and spend a few weeks with a host family. The goal is to foster positive relations between the two groups, and is followed with various outings, events, and retreats back in Northern Ireland. The O'Connor's established Creative Irish Gifts Catalog Company, which is based in Streetsboro, Ohio. The company provides a variety of products made in Ireland, through their catalog. Creative Irish Gifts Catalog functions as a fundraising effort to sustain the Irish Children's Fund, Inc. (f. 1982). The latter is an organization dedicated to creating lasting peace in Northern Ireland. All profits from the catalog directly support The Irish Children's Fund, and those working for the catalog originally did so in a volunteer capacity. The Irish Children's Fund, Inc. is the largest youth organization in Northern Ireland, and has received recognition by the government and civic and social service groups in the United States and Ireland. Today, it is used as a model for other international organizations that are now assisting children in troubled areas. The collection consists of a brochure, a catalog, a history of the company, leaflets, a newspaper clipping, a paper published at Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and a program. | | | | Call #: | MS 4882 | | | | Extent: | 0.20 linear feet (1 container) | | | | Subjects: | O'Connor, Robert, 1939- | Creative Irish Gifts Catalog Company. -- Archives. | Irish Children's Fund | Irish Americans -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- History -- Sources. | Irish Americans -- Archives. | Peace movements -- United States -- 20th century. | Peace movements -- Northern Ireland. | Cleveland (Ohio) -- Emigration and immigration. | Northern Ireland -- History -- 1969-1994. | Northern Ireland -- History -- 1994-
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| Manuscript Collection | Save | | 2 | Title: | Phoenix Peace Fountain Records
| | | | Creator: | Phoenix Peace Fountain | | | | Dates: | 1993-2003 | | | | Abstract: | The Phoenix Peace Fountain (2002) was created by Michael Whitely, president and chief executive officer of Inspirational Media International (f. 1998) located in Painesville, Ohio. This company specializes in resolving conflict and nurturing positive relationships using educational programs and other means. As a result, Inspirational Media International was approached and asked to design cross-community initiatives accenting the similarities between the Catholic and Protestant communities, after the signing of the Peace Accord in Northern Ireland in 1998. Whitely conceived the idea of a Phoenix Peace Fountain, built from weapons collected by the police forces in Ohio, that today stands in Northern Ireland as a symbol of peace and hope for the future. Individuals and organizations throughout the United States contributed to this project in donating their time, efforts and products needed for this fountain to become a reality. The Fountain was a gift from the communities of the United States to the communities of Northern Ireland and is on permanent view in Anderson Park, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. It serves to illustrate a lasting reminder to the people of Northern Ireland of America's support in the Northern Ireland peace process. Over four hundred individuals and organizations in the United States were involved in the making of this eight-ton, twelve-foot stainless steel fountain. Thousands of weapons seized by law enforcement agencies throughout America, were used in the making of this monument. The use of these weapons symbolizes the end of violence. The design of the fountain is based on the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, in Northern Ireland, and it names the 26 councils that signed the Peace Accord, May 22, 1998. The top of the monument features a phoenix on a nest of rifles, symbolizing the story of how this bird was reborn from its own ashes, and gives a promise of a new beginning. The fountain was shipped to Northern Ireland courtesy of Air France and was unveiled on July 4, 2002. The collection consists of consist of a brochure, a calendar, newspaper clippings and a pamphlet. | | | | Call #: | MS 4887 | | | | Extent: | 0.20 linear feet (1 container) | | | | Subjects: | Whitely, Michael. | Inspirational Media International. | Northern Ireland Community Cooperation Initiative. | Irish Americans -- Politics and government. | Irish Americans -- Archives. | Reconciliation. | Phoenix Peace Fountain. | Northern Ireland -- History -- 1994- | Northern Ireland -- Politics and government -- 1994-
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| Manuscript Collection | Save | | 3 | Title: | Marie Smith Family Papers
| | | | Creator: | Smith, Mary Family | | | | Dates: | 1865-1996 | | | | Abstract: | The Marie Smith Family originated in County Mayo, Ireland. Smith's uncle, John Sweeney, was a hotel owner in Cleveland, Ohio, and was a member of the Fenian Brotherhood. Celebrating her Irish identity, Smith attended a variety of conferences and events dealing with Irish issues, in America and Ireland, focusing on matters such as stereotypes and investment opportunities. The collection consists of publications, a declaration of intention, programs, flyers, a journal article, a license for a hotel owner, MacBride Principles information, membership applications for Irish organizations, newspaper clippings, an obituary, and subscriptions to two magazines. | | | | Call #: | MS 4897 | | | | Extent: | 0.20 linear feet (1 container) | | | | Subjects: | Smith, Marie -- Family -- History -- Sources. | Sweeney, John. | Smith family -- History -- Sources. | Fenians. | Irish Americans -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- History -- 19th century. | Irish Americans -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- History -- 20th century. | Irish Americans -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- History -- Sources. | Irish Americans -- Archives. | Ireland -- Emigration and immigration. | United States -- Emigration and immigration. | Northern Ireland -- History -- 1969-1994. | Northern Ireland -- History -- 1994- | Mayo (Ireland : County) -- Emigration and immigration.
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