Markle's BEST Backer: New-York-based Irish businessman and honorary OBE recipient John Fitzpatrick on his way to Windsor to see his friend Meghan Markle tie the knot with Prince Harry.
No matter how much we try to deny it, if one of the golden-ticket invites to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Irish American actress Meghan Markle had landed on our laps over the last few weeks, there’s no way we wouldn’t be on a flight over to Windsor right now. And so the news that New-York-based Irish businessman John Fitzpatrick has landed himself on the Windsor Castle guestlist for Saturday, May 19, has us more than a little green with envy.
Fitzpatrick, a hotelier and philanthropist who received an honorary OBE from the Queen for his work toward the peace process in Northern Ireland and his massive charity work, has been a friend of Markle’s for some time, meeting with her in his New York hotel with thanks to Irish golfer Rory McIlroy and even inviting her along to the White House and his Clinton fundraiser.
Rory McIlroy and Meghan Markle doing the ice bucket challenge.
“I'm delighted to be asked because I know Meghan but she has so many people to invite so I really appreciate her inviting me. It's great,” Fitzpatrick told IrishCentral.
“I'm sure they have a lot of more important guests to invite so I didn't expect it at all but I got an email from Buckingham Palace to give me the heads up to say that they would like your full address and that Meghan and Prince Harry would like to write to you. That was a few months ago so I kept that quiet and finally it arrived in from Buckingham Palace about four weeks ago.” And not only was Fitzpatrick lucky enough to bag an invite but he’s set to hang out with all the “Suits” cast while in England as another friend of his Sarah Rafferty, who plays Donna in the hit show, invited him to go sightseeing with the rest of Markle’s cast members.
“I think to be in Windsor and St Paul's Church, that's going to be spectacular,” he admits, however.
“You always see them on television but you never really know what it's like. I think that will probably be the best part of the whole thing. The whole day will be great but I think the church will be special.”
While one Irish psychic has predicted that the day will end in disaster, Fitzpatrick only has high hopes for Meghan and Harry as a married couple.
“I think it's very natural the way they met and the way they fell in love. Some royal weddings may not have been as happy as others but this one will be a good one,” he stated.
“I think it will be a great example of the future generation: meeting the people they want to meet and getting on with life together as best they can. I think another great example is Prince William and Kate. The younger generation coming up now, it's just great to see them being happy.”
The Dublin-born philanthropist also doesn’t have much time for those who think that there’s no place for an Irish person at a British Royal wedding, stating “we've moved well past that now.”
“I don't think anybody would object to an Irish person going to a Royal Wedding. I'm proud to be going, to be honest with you because I think over the last 20 years, England and Ireland have become close friends and I think what's really helped us was the Queen's visit to Ireland ...
“I've met Prince Charles a few times because some of the charities I support in Northern Ireland he's the patron of. We're working on the same thing. It's peace in Northern Ireland. It's peace in both countries and I think it's very important to keep that going.”
And what to buy as a wedding gift for a Prince and a future Princess? Well, the royal couple has made that easy for their guests, asking them to donate to any of a list of charities instead of a gift for themselves. “They're great causes,” Fitzpatrick added. “It's the same thing with anybody's wedding, what do you buy them? I don't think they need a toaster somehow!”
John Fitzpatrick-Fitzpatrick’s Manhattan, on 57th and Lexington, is de rigeur for Irish internationals staying in the city, and John Fitzpatrick has worked for that distinction. But despite owning a cumulative 27 floors and a castle as President and CEO of Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, North America, John is one of the most down to earth people you could meet.
As the second eldest of the five children of Paddy and Eithne Fitzpatrick, who owned three hotels across Ireland, John began his career by mowing the lawn at Killiney Castle Hotel in Co. Dublin during the summers when he was a teenager. Later he moved on to washing dishes in the hotel kitchen. From there, onto washing glasses, and, eventually, when he was 17, he got to mix drinks behind the bar, working every weekend while he was still in school.
After these initial experiences in the industry in Ireland, John enrolled in the prestigious hotel management course at the University of Las Vegas. After graduating, he worked at two Chicago hotels before returning to Ireland, where he did not stay for long. In 1990, Fitzpatrick, with his father’s blessing, began considering various American cities as potential hotel sites, eventually landing on New York and purchasing the building that would become Fitzpatrick’s Manhattan.
When the hotel opened in 1991, Albert Reynolds, who was then Taoiseach, stayed there. Then Mary Robinson, who at the time was President of Ireland, paid a visit. Then Gregory Peck choose Fitzpatrick’s. Soon, the hotel’s reputation was established. Seven years later, John opened another New York hotel, Fitzpatrick’s Grand Central, on 44th Street.
When John’s mother passed away in 1994, he founded The Eithne Fitzpatrick Memorial Fund in her honor. With the death of his father in 2001, the fund became the Eithne and Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Fund, whose mission is to “make a significant positive impact on the lives of those in need.” Among its current projects are the Integrated Education Fund, which strives to integrate the education system in Northern Ireland, and the Corrymeela Community, which promotes reconciliation across social, religious, and political divides in the North. In addition to these peace and reconciliation initiatives, the fund, which has raised $1.3 million to date, also supports Barretstown, a summer camp for seriously ill children.
In 2011, Fitzpatrick participated in RTÉ’s version of Secret Millionaire, traveling to the Muirhevnamor housing estate and Coxs Demense in Dundalk, Co. Louth, and at the end of the program gave away a total of €20,000 to the Craobh Rua Community House, €15,000 to senior citizen organization Cuidigh Linn, and €2,000 to O’Hanlon Park Boxing & Fitness Club. His donations were matched by the Eithne and Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Fund.
John has just been named Chairman of The American Ireland Fund and although he is the recipient of numerous other accolades (including an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II), it’s safe to say that the greatest reward for John Fitzpatrick, is the one he gets from giving back.
Hillary Clinton will be inaugurated as the Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast on Friday when she will become the first female Chancellor in the university's history.��
The former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate was named the 11th Chancellor of the university in January 2020 but has yet to be officially installed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The formal inauguration ceremony is set to take place at Whitla Hall at the end of the first week of the academic year. The BBC reports that Clinton will deliver an address and confer several honorary degrees as part of the event.
Clinton's role as Chancellor will be largely ceremonial and is slated to run for a period of five years.
The 2016 Democratic nominee will preside over graduation ceremonies, serve as an ambassador for the university, and offer advice and counsel to senior management at the university as part of her duties as Chancellor.
Clinton said that she was proud to be named Chancellor of the university when she was appointed to the role in January 2020.
"It’s my great privilege to become @QUBelfast‘s 11th — and first female — chancellor," she said in a tweet at the time. "It’s a place I have great fondness for and have grown a strong relationship with over the years, and I’m proud to be an ambassador for its excellence."
Hillary Clinton urged Northern Ireland to form an interim government while accepting an honorary degree at Queen's University Belfast.
Oct 11, 2018 Former US Secretary of State received an honorary degree at Queen’s University Belfast
Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State and 2016 Presidential nominee, accepted an honorary degree from Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland on October 10.
While accepting her honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree, Clinton urged the current Northern Irish government to come together to continue the shared mission of peace in the region, as well as to reassure the world that Northern Ireland is open for business as Brexit still lingers.
Queen’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer said Clinton “made a considerable contribution to the Northern Ireland Peace Process and, as Secretary of State, focused on economic development to underpin the emergence of a strong and competitive Northern Ireland. “
“With her long-standing commitment to peace, stability and economic regeneration, she is a strong advocate for Northern Ireland and an inspirational role model for the Queen’s community.”
Prior to Clinton’s speech, Queen's Pro-Vice-Chancellor Adrienne Scullion announced a new two awards for students in Clinton’s name.
'The Hillary Rodham Clinton Award for Peace and Reconciliation' will allow “two exceptional female students from the USA who wish to pursue study in a field related to politics, conflict transformation or human rights the opportunity to study at the University.”
The second, named the 'Hillary Rodham Clinton Early Career Fellowship', will allow an outstanding early career researcher to work in the fields of conflict transformation; global security and borders; human rights including women’s rights and children’s rights; international law; international politics; international relations; and women in politics.
Clinton’s degree ceremony on Wednesday was met with some protest by People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll. Some raised poster which read “no honours for war criminals”
Protesters outside of Queen's University Belfast on October 10
“Peace, not paralysis”
In her speech, Clinton referenced Brexit, which she does not support, and said, "The people of Northern Ireland face consequential decisions.”
"I do not come today as an authority with all the answers. I come as a friend who knows how hard the struggle has been.”
Clinton also urged Northern Ireland to form an interim government. Power-sharing in the country has been nonexistent since a January 2017 fallout amongst Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein.
“I wonder if would it be possible," said Clinton, "for the people of Northern Ireland and those who represent them both in Westminster and here could figure out a way to form an interim community government for the purposes of securing the best possible Brexit outcome for Northern Ireland.”
“Back in 2016, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness wrote a joint letter to Prime Minister May about their Brexit priorities and concerns, that’s a long time ago in political years but a similarly unified voice could be valuable in the difficult days ahead.”
“Imagine a functional executive that speaks for all the people of Northern Ireland, weighing in on the final negotiations and implementation of whatever plan emerges.”
“Imagine an Executive reassuring companies and investors already skittish about Brexit, sending a clear message that no matter what happens, Northern Ireland is open for business.”
“The world is watching, Northern Ireland has been a symbol to people everywhere, democracy’s power to transcend divisions and deliver prosperity, peace, and progress.”
“We need that, that symbol, that reality now more than ever.”
“Peace, not paralysis, you deserve that better future, you always have.”
“I will pray and trust that it comes to pass. I and many of us in the United States will never stop standing with you, and cheering you on this journey.”
New York hotel owner John Fitzpatrick honored at Queen's University Jul 07, 2011
Chairman of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, John Fitzpatrick, who operates two hotels in New York City, has received an honorary doctorate at Queen's University, in Belfast.
Norma Sinte, Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Queen’s presented Fitzpatrick with the doctorate said "Fitzpatrick Hotels became the first Irish owned hotel company to operate in the United States after John Fitzpatrick moved from Ireland to New York in the late 1980’s to expand the family business.
"As well as being an astute businessman, John is committed to charity work in the US and here in Ireland. Through a memorial fund set up in honor of his late parents, he has been instrumental in raising over €1.3 million for various charities, including the Corrymeela Community and Barretstown, an organization dedicated to bringing joy and comfort to children with cancer and other illnesses in Ireland.
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Irish Business 100 - John Fitzpatrick profile//Interview - John Fitzpatrick: A man of the people//John Fitzpatrick is named Irish American of the Year
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“In August 2008 John received an OBE in recognition of his exceptional contribution to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and in 2010 he was named Irish American of the Year in recognition of his humanitarian and charitable commitments. I am delighted that today he can add an honorary degree from Queen’s to that list of accolades.”
Along with Fitzpatrick Ruth Dudley Edwards, the successful novelist and academic, also received an honorary doctorate for distinction in literature. Dudley Edwards is the prizewinning author of ten books on Irish and British history, a successful crime novelist and a regular media contributor.
MEET JOHN FITZPATRICK - Fitzpatrick Hotels
September 03, 2016
John Fitzpatrick, is a well known hotelier and philanthropist, and owner of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group New York. He was born in Dublin, and with his father, brothers and sisters worked in many of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group’s Irish hotels in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He has called New York home since he opened the doors of the Fitzpatrick Manhattan in December 1991. The Fitzpatrick Manhattan hotel, was the only Irish owned and operated hotel in New York. Today, Fitzpatrick Manhattan and it’s sister hotel, Fitzpatrick Grand Central are still the only Irish owned and operated properties in Manhattan.
John learnt everything about the hotel business from his father, Paddy Fitzpatrick, who worked in many hotels in Ireland prior to buying the Killiney Castle Hotel in Dublin. He soon added the Fitzpatrick Shamrock Hotel in Bunratty, County Clare, and the Fitzpatrick Silver Springs in Cork. His mother Eithne, a former Miss Ireland, was also hugely influential on his career. She worked with his father on building up the family business and on every aspect the hotels interior design.
The second eldest of Paddy and Eithne’s five children, John wanted to get international experiences, and headed to the United States at an early age. He worked in various cities including Las Vegas and Chicago, before he come back to the family business in Ireland. In 1990 he returned to New York to look for a suitable property to renovate and turn into a Fitzpatrick Hotel. To save money he stayed in the empty hotel during construction, padlocking the door after the crews went home at night. The hotel opened its doors in December 1991. The hotel has become hugely popular with heads of state, Irish stars and the Hollywood A-list alike. Due to its success, a couple of years later John opened another New York hotel – The Fitzpatrick Grand Central.
Such is John’s reputation in the hospitality industry that he has served terms as chairman of the New York Hotel Association, chairman of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and is currently chairman of The Ireland Funds.
When his parents passed away, John decided to commemorate her with an annual golf tournament. To date this event has raised millions of dollars, these funds have been used to support various charities including Corrymeela Centre, County Antrim, Barrettstown, County Wicklow, and Barnardos. All of the funds are distributed via the Paddy & Eithne Memorial Fund"
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Flash
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Un pensiero, come un lampo poco fa, mi ha attraversato
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Come sarà per gli Inglesi passare dal
chiamare "REGINA" l'anziana Elisabetta II
Windsor, al chiamare, ugualmente
"REGINA", la Signora Camilla Shand
(75 anni), l'anziana consorte di Carlo ?
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Una figura che più ambigua non si può.
Una donna che ha tramato per anni e anni alle spalle di Lady Diana, risultando la causa determinante dei suoi esaurimenti, dei suoi disturbi alimentari, delle sue crisi nervose, dei suoi tentativi di suicidio, e infine, responsabile assieme al principe Carlo, quell'ectoplasma di Carlo ( e quì mi devo trattenere dallo scrivere ciò che penso realmente di questo poveretto) di un lungo e tribolato processo di divorzio. Un vero trauma per i ragazzini che erano, allora, i figli di Diana e Carlo
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Non è forse passare dall'integrità e dalla autorevolezza pluridecennale di Betty, alla opacità altrettanto decennale della signora Camilla Shand?
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Poi penso all'Italia e resto di sasso. Ma noi, cosa possiamo mai dire?
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Noi che passeremo dal campione della
competenza tecnica, Mario Draghi, alla
campionessa mondiale della burinaggine,
del populismo più sguaiato e di slogan
di matrice fascista, che risponde al nome
di GIORGIA MELONI.
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Ce la passiamo forse meglio noi, degli Inglesi?
😳🤔
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Siamo proprio due paesi in caduta libera.
Bisogna dirle chiare le cose!
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GOD SAVE
OUR PEOPLES !!
🙏😵💫
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“VOL SENSATIONNEL ACCOMPLI PAR UN FOU,” Le Petit Journal (Montreal). November 13, 1932. Page 17.
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Un dément, échappé de l'asile de St-Jean-de-Dieu, prend une somme d'argent dans la caisse d’une pharmacie et s’enfuit, sous les yeux du gardien ahuri. — On arrête l’étrange voleur dans une chambre d'hôtel, mais absolu.
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Hier matin samedi, à 8 h. 40, M. Charlie Lantin, commis du Queen's Drug Store, pharmacie, 33 rue Windsor, était seul dans son magasin, derrière son comptoir, I! vit un homme. sans pardessus malgré ls température frileuse. L'homme déclara : “Je n'ai pas mangé. Donnez-moi quelque chose”. Il avait l'air égaré, le regard vague. Surpris, un peu méfiant. M. Lantin d°manda : “Que voulez-vous que je vous donne?” Sans plus répondre, l'intrus avança derrière le comptoir, repoussa brusquement le commis, ouvrit le tiroir-caisse, et s’empara de trente dollars, Puis il profita de le stupeur de M. Lantin pour s'en aller d'un pas vif mais sans précipitation prenant soin de refermer la porte derrière lui.
A L'HOTEL QUEEN'S
Bientôt revenu de son ébahissement, M. Lantin se mit à courir derrière le voleur. Il le vit s’engouffrer dans le tambour de la porte de l'hôtel Queen's. M. Lantin s’y élanca après Iui. Mais en entrant dans le hall de l'hôtel. 11 ne vit plus son homme. Il s’adressa aux employés, lez mit au courant en quelques mots rapides, et leur donna le signale ment de celui qu'il poursuivait. Personne ne l'avait remarqué. Mais M. Lentin, surexcité, à juste titre, était d'une évidente bonne foi. Le personnel de l'hôtel décidu de faire des recherches,
Pendant une heure, et même davantage, on fouilla tous les salons, fumoirs et couloirs de l'hôtel On alla jeter un coup d’œil dans les salles de toilette. Enfin. par acquis de conscience, on vérifia s’il n'y avait pas quelque chambre inoccupée restée ouverte, où quelqu’un pourvoit se cacher. C’est en effet dans l’une d’ailes qu'on découvrit le fuyard debout derrière une porte.
EVADE DE ST-JEAN-DE-DIEU
On appela la police. Le sergent Chamillard. du poste No 6, vint arrêter l'individu. On le fouilla. II y avait dans ses poches les trente dollars dérobés à la pharmacie, et sa fortune personnelle se montant à cinq cents. Mais à toutes les questions, il opposa un absolu mutisme, et un air hagard qui ne paraissait pas feint. On s'avisa que son costume ressemblait fort à celui des Internés de Saint-Jean-de-Dieu. On téléphona à l'asile pour demander si un pensionnaire ne manquait pas à l’appel.
En effet, un aliéné s'était évadé la matin même à 5 h. 30. Un home de 35 ans, répondant au signalement transmis par la police. C'était bien notre voleur. On le ramena et bercail.
Il est très difficile de faire la part des moments de lucidité et des moments de crise qui alternaté toujours chez les fous. Dans quelque mesure celui-ci avait-il conscience de ce qu'il faisait, et quel but pour- suivait-il? Que se proposait-il de faire avec I'argent volé dans le tiroir de la pharmacie? L'on n'aura sans doute jamais de réponse à ces questions.
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