Diaspora 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 family 'home' 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.

AHOY: Liz Breadon, President of Boston City Council with Artemis electric ferry co-founder David Tyler after tour of Belfast Harbour on an Artemis vessel
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AHOY: Liz Breadon, President of Boston City Council with Artemis electric ferry co-founder David Tyler after tour of Belfast Harbour on an Artemis vessel

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.”

Anyone interested in applying to be a 2027 Honorary Chair can apply by emailing Ms McCann. 

The 2026 recpients of the Belfast Ambassador Medal are: 
 
Billy Tranghese, Platinum Advisors, Washington D.C.
Brendan Kerr, Founder, Keltbray
Brian McGlinchey, Founding Partner The Westport Maven Group, Wilmington, DE
Caroline Johnston, CEO, Greenisland Bakery, Washington DC
Catherine Ross, Chief Scientific Officer for Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
Clr Liz Breadon, President Boston City Council, Boston, MA
Colin O'Neill, Member of the Connecticut Ireland Trade Commission, CT
David O'Brien Suetholz, General Counsel, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Louisville, KY
Elizabeth Crowley, President & CEO Buidling Trades Employers Assocaition, NY, NY
Commissioner Greg Hanley, Plymouth County Commission, Plymouth, MA
Hugo Straney, Broadcaster, Toronto, Canada
Jack O'Donnell, Managing Partner, O'Donnell Solutions, Buffalo, NY

SALUTE: Mike Nesbitt, Hon Chair of the Homecoming and member of NI Assembly presents Ambassador medal to Col (Rtd.) Patrick Callahan of NJ State Troopers
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SALUTE: Mike Nesbitt, Hon Chair of the Homecoming and member of NI Assembly presents Ambassador medal to Col (Rtd.) Patrick Callahan of NJ State Troopers

James O'Leary, Emerald Society, Con Edison, NY, NY
Jim Tansey, First Assistant Prosecutor, Prosecutor's Office Union County NJ, NJ
Kwame Daniels, Creative Director, North Star, Beflast
Marty Connors, Principal, M. J. Connors Consulting, Birmingham, AL
Melissa Hamilton, Principal Ballerina with Royal Ballet, London, England
Ned McGinley, Project Children Pioneer, AOH veteran, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Sam Liscio, Non-Executive Director Manchester University NHS Trust, Manchester, England
Sandi Swift, National President, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians,  MO
Sean Pender, AOH National President, NJ
State Senator Joe Cryan Chair, Further Education Committee, New Jersey Senate, NJ
Stephen Donnelly, Executive Advisor at PwC, San Francisco, CA
Suzanne Hill Founder AI for SMEs, Belfast
Terence Cullen, Office of NYC Comptroller, NY, NY
Patrick Callahan (Rtd.) Superintendent New Jersey State Police, NJ
Stephen Lyman, Executive Director, The Maritime Association of the Port of NY & NJ
Patrick Bench, Founder and President, Benchmark Strategies, Boston, MA

To view a full gallery of photos from the 13th annual Homecoming, click here.