the united irish cultural center is undoubtedly one of our most important partners as a consulate in the western united states and its significance cannot be understated. the strength of the irish diaspora is visible across the region. there are approximately 750,000 people of irish descent in the bay area and 2.3 million in the state of california. the cultural center is a consistent partner of the irish government's immigrant support program, an initiative that demonstrates art in support of commitment to and interest in the global irish community. we as a consulate regularly collaborate and work with the center on events and cultural projects as well as with many other irish organizations who use the center's facilities to conduct their work. the current leadership of the irish center have a vision to reconstruct and redesign the present space that will result in a new fit for purpose building that will provide not just to our community, but also to the entire san francisco community as a whole. while the center serves the community well in its current format project 2025 endeavors