Cork Hosts Greet Mercy Home Youth Ahead of June Visit

March 26, 2025

While St. Patrick’s Day fervor in Chicago was turned up to full throttle on the day of the downtown parade, the start of Mercy Home’s festivities was marked by a quiet yet anticipatory energy on two days prior. That’s when two of our two dear friends from County Cork in Ireland, Ger Power and Derry Cronin, met with the young people selected to visit Ireland next June. Cronin runs a tourism business in Cork named Specialized Travel and Power is chairman of the Cork/Cook County partnership, whose relationship with Mercy Home has resulted in several groups of our young people visiting Cork since 2010. That includes the eight young people and four coworkers who have been selected to visit Ireland this summer. 

But this gathering was the first time in the history of these trips that our Irish hosts had the chance to orient our world travelers months before their arrival in the Emerald Isle.  

“I hope that after tonight that you’re feeling very comfortable and relaxed and you are looking forward to it,” Cronin said, addressing the group. “I don’t want you to be nervous about it.” 

As they do nearly every year, Cronin and Power traveled to the United States to take part in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, along with numerous events with business and civic leaders throughout the city. But their visit to Mercy Home allowed them the opportunity to introduce themselves to our young people, provide an overview of what to expect on the trip, and answer any questions they may have. 

“It’s like starting to paint a picture, you start with a blank canvas…” Cronin said. “By the end of the week, you’ll have an extraordinary time spent with your friends and a shared experience. You’ll have done loads of things that you love. Just keep an open mind to what you’re going to experience.” 

The two hosts began the discussion by asking the young people what they knew about Ireland. One young man said that he knew Dublin was the capital while others brought up the beautiful landscapes around the country.  

Some of our young people said they wanted to see a shamrock and eat Irish food. Two others said that they hoped they could see the castles in Ireland. Cronin recalled day trips that previous groups made to Blarney Castle, home to the legendary Blarney Stone.  He cautioned that reaching the famous landmark required a climb up a winding staircase of 126 steps.  While a challenge, he assured our youth the climb is worth it, as visitors who kiss the stone, according to lore, are suddenly endowed with the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness.  

Jim Marrese, Director of Business Development & Strategic Initiatives, was on the first trip to Cork in 2010 and was there to share his experiences with our young people and assure them that they can handle challenges. 

“The majority of activities involved things that the kids had never experienced, like going through customs at Dublin airport, or riding down rapids into the Atlantic Ocean, or sea kayaking. Even things as simple as dancing to Irish music with locals,” he said. 

“Yet our kids tackled every single one of these challenges head on and found fulfillment in overcoming fears of the unknown and unfamiliar.”

Marrese stressed the benefits of going beyond your comfort zone and how travel offers our kids experiences that can last a lifetime. “Overcoming these obstacles provided them with valuable skills that can be applied to other area of their lives.” 

The trip will be catered to accommodate young people with different comfort zones. Some of our young people have never flown on a plane before and others haven’t traveled outside the country.  

“It’s exciting and it’s interesting to see just the interest and excitement from the kids themselves,” Cronin said. “We’re looking forward to it because we’ve seen in the past how it can impact their view of life.”

“I’m excited about the food, meeting new people and seeing new places,” one young man said. 

Power noted that while the trips help broaden the perspectives of the young people who attend, the experience is positive for our hosts as well. 

“The reason we do it is to give something to the kids. But in reality, when it’s over, we probably get more than the kids do,” he said. “It’s just so fantastic to see the change in the from day one to day 10 when they’re leaving your interaction with them. And how different they’ve become, how comfortable they become.”  

Both acknowledged that every group that goes on the trips has a different experience to a degree, bringing their own unique personalities and perspectives to the adventure. But what has remained constant throughout the now six trips is that our young people’s outlook on the world will be altered. 

“They get all the comfort and love that they experience here,” Cronin said. “They’re going to have that in Ireland, but they’re going to have a completely new culture and activity and they’re going to open their minds to something completely new and different.” 

The evening concluded with a friendly Irish trivia competition between teams led by Power and Cronin, with the latter taking the crown.   

Overall, the meeting was unique in the history of the partnership. While all groups prepared before departure, this was the first time our hosts met with the youth face-to-face beforehand.

“It was lovely to have this event,” Power said. “[To] speak to them, see where any fears they have, and just introduce ourselves. From our side, we have a bit of organizing to do yet, but we’re looking forward to it.” 

Marrese fondly remembers the hospitality he has experienced in Cork and the incredible relationships that are fostered on the trips, saying “You land in Ireland as strangers and you leave as friends.”

Mercy Home’s relationship with County Cork is an outgrowth of an international trade partnership between the governments in Cork County, Ireland and Cook County, Illinois. The bond between County Cork and Mercy Home, its adopted local charitable organization, grows stronger each year. The relationship began when we were introduced to the Cork members of the partnership by its founder, also a Mercy Home board member, the late Bill Gainer. Gainer passed away the day before St. Patrick’s Day in 2019. The Cork/Cook County Partnership stands as a testament to Gainer’s love of his Irish heritage and commitment to improving lives in the Chicago area. 

We’re so thankful to Ger Power and Derry Cronin for taking the time to speak with our young people and to share their love of Ireland with them. And we extend our gratitude to so many overseas for years of generous hospitality, including John Kearny, who was unable to visit Chicago this year. We look forward to sharing updates about preparations for the trip and a recap later this summer.