connect 2018 • 72 AROUND THE WORLD GREAT BRITAIN February, 2018 Each year, The Ireland Funds Great Britain, through its grants program, supports Irish organizations that are working hard to enrich the lives of many people in the Irish community. Each year, one organization is selected to be presented with The Ireland Funds Annual Community Award. This year’s recipient, the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC), was announced during a reception held at the Irish Embassy in London, for The Ireland Funds Great Britain and its support- ers. Chair of ICC Jim O’Hara and his team received warm accolades from Ambassador Adrian O’Neill; Chair of The Ireland Funds Great Britain Garrett Hayes, The Ireland Funds America Chairman John Fitzpatrick and Worldwide President & CEO of The Ireland Funds Kieran McLoughlin. All paid tribute to the work done to secure the future of the Centre which resulted in beautiful new premises being built to be held in perpetuity for the Irish community in Great Britain. March, 2018 2018 marks the 100-year anniversary of women achieving the right to vote in Great Britain and in honor of this milestone, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, encouraged the organizers of London’s St. Patrick’s Festival to include a strong female presence in this year’s parade. Two Grand Marshals were appointed to join the Mayor to lead the parade: broadcaster Gloria Hunniford and actress Imelda Staunton, best known for her role in Harry Potter. They were accompanied by fifty other women of Irish heritage who excel in their respective fields. Prior to the parade, The Ireland Funds Great Britain hosted a breakfast reception for the ‘Leading Ladies’ group at Bentleys, the restaurant of Irish chef Richard Corrigan. The Ireland Funds Great Britain 2018 Community Award The Ireland Funds Great Britain Leading Ladies Reception 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 Ruairi Conneely, John Fitzpatrick, Jim O'Hara, Garrett Hayes, Seamus McGarry, Kieran McLoughlin 2 Seamus McGarry, Paul Costelloe 3 Emily Bohill, Eoin Bastible, guest Photos: Fergus Burnett 1 Siobhan Breatnach, Imelda Staunton, Jacqueline O'Donovan 2 Norah Casey, Orla Kiely, Sarah Finucane 3 Leading Ladies and friends Photos: Malcolm McNally/ The Irish Post and Noel Mullen