By Declan O’Kelly

The Irish Arts Center in New York is hosting an exhibition of images that defined the first year of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR). Consul General Tim O’Connor summed it up best: “We are here to pay tribute to the astounding talent behind the lens of Sean McPhail and Nuala Purcell.” The exhibition contains 37 images that capture the spirit of group members and the amazing progress they have made in just over 12 months

Sean McPhail’s photos are character studies of the people that make up the backbone of the organization, people whose stories inspired the founders of ILIR to lobby on their behalf at the political table. In his speech, McPhail thanked his subjects for opening up their lives to him and for sharing why living and staying in America is so important to them.

The work on display by Irish Voice contributing photographer Nuala Purcell, whose work has also appeared in Irish America, captures the tidal wave of support for the ILIR from the Irish undocumented, as well as the Irish-American and Irish documented community, who turn out to all the meetings and rallies, from the Bronx to Boston and from California to Capitol Hill.

Among those present at the opening were Irish Arts Center Executive Director Pauline Turley, Consul General Tim O’Connor, ILIR Chairman and Irish America/Irish Voice publisher, Niall O’Dowd, ILIR Vice Chairman Ciaran Staunton and ILIR Executive Chairman Kelly Fincham. Joe Hackett, First Secretary from the Irish Embassy in Washington, D.C. and Kiaran McLoughlin of The American Ireland Fund were also in attendance, as were many ILIR members, who are now part of the largest Irish-American organization in the country.

The Irish Arts Center, which has supported Irish arts and culture in the city since 1972, is presenting this exhibition fresh off its successful Fighting Irishmen: A Celebration of Celtic Warriors exhibition. The official title is 21st Century Immigrants: Portraits of the New Undocumented Irish – An Exhibition of Photography to Mark the First Anniversary of the ILIR. It will remain on view until February 2.