| | 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. | |
