connect 2017 • 74 connect 2018 • 74 February, 2018 Over 350 guests attended The Ireland Funds annual Rugby Lunch in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel on Friday 9th February. The lunch hon- oured Irish Rugby hero, Jamie Heaslip. Director Ireland, Caitriona Fottrell, welcomed guests and thanked them for their support, acknowledging that many guests in the room had attended all ten Rugby Lunches. Worldwide President and CEO of The Ireland Funds, Kieran McLoughlin, gave an update on The Ireland Funds’ activities over the past 12 months and thanked those gathered for their great philanthropic support. RTÉ Broadcaster Joanne Cantwell, em- ceed the event and conducted an interview with the honoree Jamie Heaslip who has seen it all in the world of Rugby including three Heineken Cups with Leinster, Grand Slam success with Ireland and a tour with the British & Irish Lions in 2009. In attendance was Chairman of The Ireland Funds America John Fitzpatrick. Previous honoree Gordon D’Arcy and legendary Liverpool footballer Ian Rush also joined the capacity room. The Ireland Funds Board Directors were represented by Ronan Foley, Alan Foy, Tommy Gallagher, Emer Gilvarry, Caroline Kennedy, David McRedmond, Gerard Ryan, Trevor Ringland, Ciaran Murray and Jim Barry. Special thanks to all our lunch Part- ners: Land Rover Ireland, AIB Wholesale Institutional and Corporate Banking and Brandes Investment Partners and guests for their wonderful support. The Ireland Funds 10th Anniversary Rugby Lunch 1 4 2 8 3 6 5 1 Melanie McCourt, Jamie Heaslip, Kieran McLoughlin 2 Louise Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy 3 Kieran McLoughlin, Joanne Cantwell, Jamie Heaslip, Caitriona Fottrell 4 Caoimhe Connolly, Daniela Bills Everett 5 Guests at the Rugby Lunch 6 Joanne Cantwell, Jamie Heaslip 7 Catherine Burke Kennedy, Rachel Hussey, Gerardine Connolly 8 Katie Norris, Ronan Foley, Jamie Heaslip Photos: Mark Stedman, Sean Curtis AROUND THE WORLD DUBLIN