Ireland Appoints Amy Seigenthaler Pierce as Honorary Consul for Tennessee, Announces on Eve of St. Patrick’s Day

In a significant diplomatic development, the Consulate General of Ireland in Atlanta has unveiled Amy Seigenthaler Pierce, a seasoned communications and marketing professional from Nashville, as Ireland’s new honorary consul for the state of Tennessee. The appointment comes ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, further cementing the day’s significance for the Irish diaspora in the state.

Enhancing the Irish Consular Network in the U.S.

With this latest diplomatic appointment, Ireland continues to expand its consular network across the U.S., accelerating the initiatives it began more than a decade ago. Starting with its consulate in Atlanta in 2012, it has since established a full-fledged consulate in Austin, Texas, while also appointing honorary consuls in key southern cities such as Charleston, Charlotte, Houston, and New Orleans.

Accelerating the Ireland-Tennessee Connection

The search for the perfect fit for the honorary consul role began last year, with the ideal candidate expected to have a robust local network and a profound connection with Ireland. Amy Seigenthaler Pierce’s appointment is seen as a triumph for these prerequisites. An Irish-American with an impressive history of service in the U.S. Embassy in Dublin under U.S. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, Ms. Pierce’s appointment is set to strengthen the Ireland-Tennessee relationship.

Pierce occupies the role of a managing partner at the marketing and communications consultancy, FINN Partners. She will continue in this position while also fulfilling her duties as the honorary consul.

Strengthening Irish Communities

The Irish consul general in Atlanta, Caoimhe Ní Chonchúir, hailed Pierce’s appointment as a “huge step forward” in strengthening the Tennessee ties with Ireland. The state of Tennessee is believed to have around 10 percent of its residents tracing their lineage back to Ireland, while the trade and investment relations between Tennessee and Ireland are currently supporting roughly 8,000 jobs in the state.

In her statement, Ní Chonchúir emphasized, “Having Amy on the ground will help to support our wonderful Irish communities in the state and strengthen our flourishing economic ties. It is a statement of our commitment to the Ireland-Tennessee partnership.”

Embracing the Appointment

Expressing her gratitude about the honorary consul appointment, Pierce stated, “The decision to establish an honorary consulate in Tennessee underscores Ireland’s appreciation for the links that have long existed between our two great cultures and their potential to grow. I look forward to working with those who love Ireland in our state to celebrate and strengthen the ties we have in common.”

The robust connections between Ireland and Tennessee, culturally and economically, are set to be further strengthened with this strategic diplomatic appointment. The announcement comes amidst a series of top-level visits from the Irish government to the Southeast region, reflecting Ireland’s rising interest and commitment towards fostering deeper ties with the region.