The program began in 1998, created by US-Ireland Alliance president Trina Vargo with early support from the Irish and British Governments.
ðə pɹˈoʊɡɹæm bɪɡˈæn ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti ˈeɪt, kɹiːˈeɪɾᵻd baɪ jˌuːˈɛsˈaɪɚlənd ɐlˈaɪəns pɹˈɛzɪdənt tɹˈiːnə vˈɑːɹɡoʊ wɪð ˈɜːli səpˈoːɹt fɹʌmðɪ ˈaɪɹɪʃ ænd bɹˈɪɾɪʃ ɡˈʌvɚnmənts.