connect 2018 • 66 AROUND THE WORLD LOS ANGELES February, 2018 An evening of celebration and conversation was held on February 28 as a group of 250 supporters of The Ireland Funds gathered in West Hollywood to toast Ireland’s nominees at the 2018 Academy Awards. Los Angeles Irish star power came out strong and other guests attending included Golden Globe-winning actor Colin Farrell (In Bruges, The Lobster), award-winning actors Aisling Bea (The Fall), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, Get Shorty), Adam Fergus (Supernatural, Being Erica), and other talent such as Aisha Tyler (Criminal Minds, Archer, Whose Line Is It Anyway, Friends), Sunday Times bestselling author Dawn O’Porter, the Irish producers of Brooklyn, Nightflyers, Man About Dog, Ireland’s Consul General to the Western United States Robert O’Driscoll also attended. Colin Farrell went on to receive The Ireland Funds Performing Arts Award on May 3 at The Ireland Funds’ annual New York Gala, the largest of The Ireland Funds’ 150+ global events. Award-winning Irish actress Victoria Smurfit (ABC’sOnceUponATime,NBC’sDracula)hostedtheeveningatYsabelrestaurantalongwithChrisO’Dowd and his good friend Cartoon Saloon’s co-founder, Oscar-nominated producer Paul Young whose company was up for its 3rd Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Feature for The Breadwinner, execu- tive-produced by Angelina Jolie and directed by Nora Twomey. Los Angeles Oscar Week Reception 1 4 5 6 2 3 1 Jonathan Loughran, Barry O’Dowd, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Michelle Loughran, James Hickey 2 Chris O’Dowd, Paul Young, Victoria Smurfit, Jonathan Loughran 3 Harry Hartford, Catherine Thyen, Keith Ennis 4 Drew Buckley, Laura Sullivan, Rich Sullivan 5 Chris O’Dowd, Paul Young, Victoria Smurfit 6 Yvonne Ross, Chris O’Dowd, Dawn O’Porter, Josie Naughton, Mel Lubey Photos: Elaine Lee