connect 2018 • 67 LOS ANGELES AROUND THE WORLD March, 2018 The Ireland Funds hosted a special St. Patrick’s Day Leadership Series breakfast in the law offices of Allen Matkins on March 16th. Guest speaker was Brendan Griffin T.D., Ireland’s Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, who was joined by Vice Consul General of Ireland to the Western U.S. John Callaghan. Jonathan Loughran, VP Devel- opment for The Ireland Funds, welcomed guests to the event. The theme of the conversation was Ireland’s diaspora and its achievements, as well as the important contribution of The Ireland Funds to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, the need for greater reconciliation/integration in this challeng- ing political climate, the Government of Ireland’s commitment to the Good Friday agreement as well as touching on the poten- tial impact of Brexit. Thanks to Regional Advisory Committee member Alan Hearty, Tim McDonnell and Michael Matkins of Allen Matkins for hosting the event at their firm’s offices. Los Angeles St. Patrick’s Leadership Series Breakfast 1 2 3 1 Min. Griffin 2 Alan Hearty, Bill Delaney, Alessandra Daouvar, Min. Griffin, Jonathan Loughran, Michael Matkins 3 Min. Griffin, Bill Delaney, Garrett Delaney Photos: Marina Milosevic April, 2018 Friends old and new came together in the beautiful Balboa Bay Club in sunny Newport Beach to celebrate the Irish film-making talent visiting California for the Newport Beach Film Festival’s Irish Spotlight. Attendees included Consul General Robert O’Driscoll and his wife Caoimhe Ni Chonchoille, and director Frank Berry and producer Donna Eperon who made the feature film “Michael Inside”, for which Frank won Best Director at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Long-time supporters of The Ireland Funds attending included Capt. Kevin Mac Donnell, Ed Gaffney & Aine Healy, Dolores Keshkar, John & Veronica O’Doherty, James Delaney, Seamus and Joan Mulvenna, Laurie Grier-Mulvenna, Anne & Dermot Tuohy, Sean & Jane Brown, Eileen Weatherbee, Deirdre O’Neill, Emilie Guilbaud and Evan Kilbourne, Eamonn & Sylvia Fitzgerald, as well as new friends such as David Gaskin of IDA Ireland, and Gregg Schwenk. Consul General O’Driscoll spoke passionately about the contribution Irish culture continues to make and how the work of The Ireland Funds supports culture in all its forms. Special thanks to Catherine Thyen for hosting the wonderful event. Los Angeles Newport Beach Film Festival Reception 1 2 3 1 Consul Gen. Robert O’Driscoll 2 Jonathan Loughran, Catherine Thyen, Caoimhe Ni Chonchoille, Consul Gen. Robert O’Driscoll 3 James Delaney, Laurie Grier-Mulvenna, Catherine Thyen