Mayo man named in Top 40 Under 40 Irish in America

Luke Gibbons, 27, who hails from Claremorris, has been named in the Irish Echo Top 40 Under 40 Irish in America 2024. Luke is currently based in Boston, Massachusetts where he is a Fulbright Scholar and Researcher at Harvard Law School. Luke is also a Ph.D. in Law Candidate and Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Scholar at Trinity College Dublin.

The 40 Under 40 Awards is a celebration of Irish and Irish Americans who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of work before reaching the age of forty. It honours the up and coming personalities of Irish America from every walk of life, and from every part of the nation. The Top 40 Under 40 spotlights the leaders of Irish America from around the nation who work in a variety of fields and occupation.

Gibbons has been included in this prestigious list in recognition of his transatlantic climate research and his endeavours to promote Irish American relations. Luke’s current Fulbright research at Harvard Law School assesses the differences between company directors’ duties in the United States and Ireland in light of climate change risks to business. His research has been described as both ‘innovative’ and ‘ground-breaking’. This comparative study between the United States and Ireland is a first of its kind. Luke’s research will create real change in the world and assist as a piece in the puzzle to tackle the polycentric and globally pervasive issue of climate change. The aim is to provide a generalised standard between the United States and Ireland with regards to how company directors treat climate change risks and in turn foster transatlantic relationships.

In promoting US and Ireland cooperation, Luke’s research has led to him meeting several influential individuals and winning notable allies. In October 2023 Luke was invited to Columbia University’s Institute of Politics event entitled ‘The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights at 75’, on the basis of his research links to the human right to a healthy environmental. There he met Former Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Ressa.

To further promote transatlantic cooperation on this issue Luke has spoken at many notable conferences. He was recently invited to present his work virtually at the Irish Centre for European Law and Environmental Protection Agency Conference at Dublin Castle alongside Mr Justice O’Donnell, the Chief Justice of Ireland and Ms Justice Marie Baker, Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland.

In September 2023, Luke also founded and established the Ireland America Young Professionals Network (IAYPN). After extensive media coverage, IAYPN has grown rapidly and now has 600 members across the United States and Ireland. Luke is the sole founding member of IAYPN which now has a board of 10 individuals all under 40 based between Ireland and the United States. Considering the time demands of his aforementioned research endeavours, this is a remarkable feat which demonstrates Luke’s commitment to the Irish community in the United States. Membership is free and open to all particularly: young professionals, recent graduates, and students interested in building transatlantic relationships.

Luke was also a Legislative Fellow in the Office of Congressman Matt Cartwright on Capitol Hill as part of the Washington Ireland Program. The program is extremely competitive with over 1,000 applicants for 30 places. Specifically, in his role Luke worked on a number of key initiatives to promote the special relationship between Ireland and the United States.

Luke travelled to Congressman Cartwright’s district (PA-08) to speak to residents who have Irish heritage. This trip included a ‘Meet a Nice Irish Fellow’ event in Scranton, PA. It was attended by over 100 Irish Americans who came to hear Luke’s presentation on current issues in Ireland and how the relationship between the two nations is currently perceived. The event was covered by both WBRE and FOX News. In his interview on both news stations Luke spoke about the need to continue to work on the Irish American relationship and to secure its future through demonstrating its importance to younger generations. During his trip Luke also engaged with Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee Virginia McGregor and outlined the importance of maintaining strong ties between the United States and Ireland.

This is not the first award bestowed upon Gibbons. In 2022 Luke was named as Irish Law Student of the Year 2022 in recognition of his climatic research and JCI Most Outstanding Young Person Under 40 for Academic Leadership and Achievement in Ireland 2021.

The 17th Annual 40 Under 40 Awards will take place on Friday, February 23rd, 2024 at The View at The Battery in New York City.

To see the full list of awardees visit Irish Echo.