Business leaders, entrepreneurs, and civic champions with a passion for Belfast are being encouraged to apply to become Honorary Chairs of the 2027 Belfast International Homecoming.
Now in its 14th year, the Homecoming brings influential members of the global Irish and Scots-Irish diasporas back to Belfast to experience the city’s transformation, reconnect with their roots and explore new opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
This year’s event, held from 7 to 9 October, welcomed more than 50 diaspora leaders from the United States, Canada and Great Britain, introducing them to the innovators, business leaders and changemakers helping to shape Belfast’s future.
The Homecoming celebrations also recognised outstanding members of the diaspora. Keltbray founder Brendan Kerr, who left Belfast for London almost 40 years ago at the age of 21, received the Spirit of the Diaspora Award for his contribution to business, while Liz Breadon, President of Boston City Council, received the Equality Diaspora Award for her work promoting social justice and inclusion.
Connla McCann, co-founder of the Belfast International Homecoming, said: “There are seven million people on the island of Ireland and 70 million in the diaspora, giving Belfast an incredible network of goodwill across the world.
“Our Honorary Chairs are passionate advocates for the city who help showcase Belfast to international visitors and create valuable connections. We would particularly like to hear from business leaders who are proud of Belfast and want to join us in telling its story on a global stage at the 2027 Homecoming.”
Applications to become an Honorary Chair are now open at www.belfasthomecoming.com
Belfast International Homecoming Belfast Ambassador Medal winners
| Billy Tranghes | Platinum Advisors, Washington D.C. |
| Brendan Kerr | Founder, Keltbray |
| Brian McGlinchey | Founding Partner, The Westport Maven Group, Wilmington, Delaware |
| Caroline Johnston | CEO, Greenisland Bakery, Washington D.C. |
| Catherine Ross | Chief Scientific Officer for Scotland |
| Cllr Liz Breadon | President, Boston City Council |
| Colin O’Neill | Member, Connecticut Ireland Trade Commission |
| David O’Brien Suetholz | General Counsel, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Kentucky |
| Elizabeth Crowley | President & CEO, Building Trades Employers Association, New York |
| Commissioner Greg Hanley | Plymouth County Commission, Massachusetts |
| Hugo Straney | Broadcaster, Toronto |
| Jack O’Donnell | Managing Partner, O’Donnell Solutions, Buffalo, New York |
| James O’Leary | Emerald Society, Con Edison, New York |
| Jim Tansey | First Assistant Prosecutor, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey |
| Kwame Daniels | Creative Director, North Star, Belfast |
| Martin Connors | Principal, M. J. Connors Consulting, Birmingham, Alabama |
| Melissa Hamilton | Principal Ballerina, The Royal Ballet, London |
| Ned McGinley | Project Children Pioneer, Pennsylvania |
| Sam Liscio | Non-Executive Director, Manchester University NHS Trust |
| Sandi Swift | National President, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Missouri |
| Sean Pender | National President, Ancient Order of Hibernians, New Jersey |
| State Senator Joe Cryan | Chair, Further Education Committee, New Jersey Senate |
| Stephen Donnelly | Executive Advisor, PwC, San Francisco |
| Suzanne Hill | Founder, AI for SMEs, Belfast |
| Terence Cullen | Office of the NYC Comptroller, New York |
| Patrick Callahan | Colonel, New Jersey State Police |
| Stephen Lyman | Executive Director, The Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey |
| Patrick Bench | Founder and President, Benchmark Strategies, Boston |
