AMBASSADOR CLAIRE CRONIN
It is official! Claire D. Cronin of Brockton, Massachusetts is the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. Her nomination was approved on December 18, 2021, by the U.S. Senate, and she was formally sworn-in at the House Chamber in the Massachusetts State House on January 19, 2022.
Michael D. Higgins, President Of Ireland and Claire D. Cronin, U.S. Ambassador To Ireland
Upon taking the oath of office, the 61-year-old Cronin receiving a prolonged ovation from her legislative colleagues, with her husband Ray and daughters Kara and Kerry looking on.
“Today, I’m leaving a place I love and a job I love for a chance to serve our country as the United States Ambassador to Ireland,” she said. “I am grateful to be able to serve as the personal representative of President Biden, a person I admire and respect, a profoundly decent human being and good man. I’m looking forward to serving in Ireland and building upon the strong bonds that exist between our two countries.”
U.S. Ambassador's Residence, Phoenix Park, Dublin
Cronin, whose maiden name is McLaughlin, comes from a proud Irish-American family of lawyers, teachers and elected officials. In 2012, she won an open seat as state representative in the 11th Plymouth District, which includes Brockton and Easton. She rose steadily through the ranks at the rough-and-tumble Massachusetts State House, distinguishing herself as a skilled legislator and committee leader. She was the first female selected as Majority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and broke many glass ceilings along the way.