Let’s Make
MAGIC
The McAlester Association for Global Interconnections is building bridges between McAlester, Oklahoma and communities around the world — starting with our Sister City partnership with Midleton, Ireland.
Our Choctaw–Irish Connection
In 1847, during Ireland’s Great Famine, the Choctaw Nation — only years removed from the devastating Trail of Tears — gathered funds to send to starving Irish families across the Atlantic. It was an act of extraordinary compassion from a people who understood suffering and displacement firsthand.
That gift established a bond of solidarity between the Choctaw people and the people of Ireland that endures to this day. In Midleton, County Cork, the Kindred Spirits sculpture — a circle of nine stainless steel eagle feathers — stands as a permanent tribute to the Choctaw Nation’s generosity and the shared resilience of two peoples connected by compassion.
McAlester, Oklahoma sits at the heart of the Choctaw Nation. MAGIC was formed to carry this legacy forward by building a Sister City partnership with Midleton that creates real, lasting connections between our communities through cultural exchange, education, and friendship.
What We’re Building
Culture
McAlester looks forward to sharing and celebrating Irish, Choctaw, and American traditions through festivals, art, music, and food — highlighting our shared heritage while building new traditions that strengthen the connection between our communities.
Education
Schools and students in McAlester and Midleton can benefit from classroom exchanges, pen-pal programs, virtual learning opportunities, and study-abroad experiences that broaden perspectives and prepare future leaders.
Tourism
By promoting Midleton to our region and highlighting McAlester to Irish travelers, both communities can strengthen tourism and hospitality industries through joint marketing, travel packages, and cultural tourism events.
Community
Joint projects — such as art installations, environmental initiatives, or historical preservation efforts — provide tangible ways for citizens in both cities to connect and contribute through community-driven events.
Government
The partnership allows leaders to exchange ideas on local government, public services, and community development. Both cities can share best practices and learn from one another.
Friendship
At its heart, the Sister Cities partnership is about relationships — creating enduring friendships between families, schools, businesses, and organizations that foster understanding, goodwill, and shared pride across the ocean.
St. Patrick’s Day Community Festival
Saturday, March 14, 2026
1–4 PM
Choctaw Avenue,
Downtown McAlester
Join us for MAGIC’s very first St. Patrick’s Day celebration! We’re proudly welcoming our friends from Midleton, Ireland for a day of community, culture, and connection.
Enjoy live Irish music, Irish dance, cultural storytelling, Choctaw Nation Honor Guard, local vendors, and a “pot of gold” giveaway drawing.
Stay Informed
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Our Supporters
MAGIC is grateful for the support of community partners who believe in the power of international friendship and cultural connection.
