Irish Heritage and Humanity Award

Honoring Global Contributions to Peace, Culture, and Community

Established in 2025 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the United Irish Cultural Center of San Francisco and express a commitment to building for our future, our Irish Heritage and Humanity Award is an annual recognition celebrating individuals who embody the values of Irish heritage through their extraordinary impact on the world. Honorees champion peace, humanitarianism, culture, and leadership in ways that uplift humanity.

2025 Honoree: Senator George Mitchell

The inaugural recipient of the Irish Heritage and Humanity Award, Senator George Mitchell, is a statesman and peacebuilder whose work in the Good Friday Agreement brought lasting peace to Ireland. His impact extends beyond Ireland, championing peace and justice worldwide.

A Lasting Tribute at the Irish Cultural Center

To commemorate this award, the new Irish Cultural Center at 45th Avenue will feature a permanent exhibit dedicated to honoring Irish contributions to peace and global leadership. This space will serve as a tribute to past and future honorees, inspiring generations to come.

A Legacy for the Future

This award is presented annually to individuals who embody the spirit of the Irish experience and its impact on the world.

One People.
One Spirit.
A Legacy for All.

Award Criteria

Peace and Diplomacy:

Bridging divides and fostering reconciliation.

Humanitarianism and Social Impact:

Defending the vulnerable and advocating for justice.

Arts and Culture:

Preserving and sharing stories that shape our collective identity.

Education and Innovation:

Inspiring future generations and advancing knowledge.

Community Leadership:

Uplifting societies through service and advocacy.

Nominate a Future Honoree

Symbolism in the Award Logo

The Celtic spiral is known to be the oldest Celtic symbol discovered, believed to be traced back to around 3200 BC. The single spiral symbolizes growth and change. Just like a spiral keeps expanding outwards without end, our life’s journey involves continuous evolution. It reminds us that growth is an ongoing process—a constant state of building for tomorrow.

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