The gala evening, which drew more than 200 guests,
began with a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner dance
held in The Circle Ballroom with entertainment provided by
Palm Beach Board member Hillie Mahoney’s son, Bob
Merrill and the Sultans of Swing Orchestra. The
guests were welcomed
by Kieran McLoughlin, President
& CEO, The Worldwide Ireland Funds, and Loretta
Brennan Glucksman, Chairman of The American Ireland
Fund.
A special presentation by
longtime AIF supporter, The Right Honorable Brian
Mulroney,
who was honored by
The American Ireland Fund in
2003 was made to the Palm Beach Board
Members, Christopher M. “Kip” Condron, Lore Moran Dodge,
Sheila O’Malley Fuchs, Lesley King Grenier, James F.
Higgins, Michael F. Jackson, Michele Kessler,
Hillie Mahoney, Jack Manning, Thomas C. Quick And Robert L.
Reynolds. Songwriter Christopher Mason wrote and
performed a humorous song especially for the occasion that
acknowledged each of the honorees, who were presented with
framed editions of the lyrics.
The Palm Beach Emerald Isle
Dinner Dance was the first public AIF event in support of a
new campaign, Promising Ireland Campaign – an
initiative to raise $100 million to assist Irish charities
that was launched earlier this year. The Worldwide Ireland
Funds announced that the campaign will help non-profit
organizations across the island of Ireland meet the
challenge of increased demand for their services at a time
of major reductions in resources. Anticipating growing need,
the Funds began a quiet phase in 2009 and have successfully
raised over $40 million towards the $100 million goal they
aim to raise by 2013. Fundraising for the campaign will be
carried out across the Funds’ global network with chapters
in the United States, Ireland, Great Britain, Monaco,
Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Canada, France,
Germany and Japan.
The mission of
The American Ireland Fund
is to be the
largest worldwide network of people of Irish ancestry and
friends of Ireland dedicated to raising funds to support
programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture,
education, and community development throughout the island
of Ireland.
A portion of the Dinner proceeds will support the Irish
Georgian Society’s campaign to save the Dublin Civic
Assembly Building, an important and historical Georgian
building in the heart of Dublin.
Information about The American Ireland Fund can be found at
www.irlfunds.org