connect 2018 • 56 AROUND THE WORLD NEW YORK January, 29 Board Members of The Ireland Funds America gathered in Manhattan’s storied Lotos Club to celebrate Loretta Brennan Glucksman’s role as Grand Marshall in the 2018 New York St. Patrick’s Day parade. Loretta is Chairman Emeritus of The Ireland Funds America having served as Chairman for over 18 years and was the 5th woman to serve as Grand Marshall of the parade in its 250-year history. John Fitzpatrick, Chairman of The Ireland Funds America, opened the evening by welcoming Loretta and guests. He spoke of how Loretta’s late husband Lew would have been so proud to see her as Grand Marshall. Following dinner, Worldwide President & CEO of The Ireland Funds, Kieran McLoughlin described Loretta as ‘the First Lady of Irish America’ and introduced the evening’s musical entertainment, Greg Harrington. Greg performed three pieces celebrating Loretta’s Irish and Jewish ties before the evening drew to a close. The New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade Celebration of Loretta Brennan Glucksman as Grand Marshall 3 2 1 1 Tom Quick, Kip Condron, Bob McCann, Lore Dodge, Michael Donnell, Gene McQuade, Sheila O’Malley Fuchs, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, John Fitzpatrick, Peggy McQuade 2 Bill Murphy, Tom Quick, Una Murphy, Michael Higgins 3 Bob McCann, Loretta Brennan Glucksman Photos: James Higgins