It’s Irish Week in Downtown San Jose

Every March, the city of San Jose welcomes the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ireland, San Jose’s Sister City, and a delegation of city officials and business representatives for Irish Week and the Spirit of Ireland Award. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the San Jose – Dublin Sister City program. The San Jose/Dublin committee was conceived to help develop the high-tech sector in Ireland and the growth of Irish technologists here in Silicon Valley, plus numerous other cultural, educational and business exchanges that continue to evolve. This year’s Spirit of Ireland Award will be presented to Josh Hartnett, President and Founder of the Irish Technology Leadership Group, a group which is committed to helping Ireland address the challenges of embracing new technology opportunities. Hartnett is also the Founder of Irish Technology Capital (ITC) and the Irish Innovation Center (IIC). Located in the heart of downtown San José, the IIC is the Silicon Valley launching pad for Irish technology companies providing entrepreneurs access to venture capital firms, customers, suppliers and employees to enable their companies to grow and thrive. The Center provides flexible office space, reception, administrative, legal, financial, human resource, and IT support to resident companies. The Irish Innovation Center is located in San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose. The Spirit of Ireland award will be presented at the Spirit of Ireland Award dinner this Saturday, March 12, at the Marriott hotel in downtown San Jose. Other highlights of Ireland Week include the Welcome Breakfast on Thursday, March 10, at the Silicon Valley Capital Club in downtown San Jose, and the Flag Raising Ceremony also on Thursday morning at San Jose City Hall. For more information or to purchase tickets to any of the Irish Week events, please visit the San Jose & Dublin City Sister Program website at www.sanjosedublin.org. Dublin Sister City Welcome Breakfast Featuring Lord Mayor of Dublin and Delegation When: Thursday, March 10 Location: Silicon Valley Capital Club 50 West San Fernando Street, Suite 1700, downtown San Jose Registration and Informal Reception – 7:30 A.M. Breakfast – 8:00 A.M. Tickets $33 City Hall Flag Raising Ceremony Featuring Mayor Chuck Reed and San Jose City Councilmembers When: Thursday, March 10 at 10:00 A.M. Location: City Hall Plaza Santa Clara Street at 5th Street, downtown San Jose Free to the public 2011 San Jose Dublin Sister City Committee Spirit of Ireland Dinner Honoring John Hartnett, ITLG Founder and President When: Saturday, March 12 Location: San Jose Marriott Hotel 301 South Market Street, downtown San Jose No Host Reception – 6:30 P.M. Dinner – 7:30 P.M. Black Tie Tickets – $150