The 4th Annual American Ireland Fund Women's Luncheon was held on Thursday, November 5th at Four Seasons Hotel, San Francisco. Almost 350 guests came together to greet Ambassador Anne Anderson, Ireland's newly-appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations who had flown out from New York to be there as Honored Guest and Speaker.
San Francisco Regional Director, Marjorie Muldowney, warmly welcomed the Ambassador and recognized the generous support of General Chair Maryon Davies Lewis and Luncheon Chairs Pauline Ryan (AIF Board Director), Eileen Moore and Suzi Tinsley.
The Luncheon Committee was out in full force with a fabulous group of gorgeous guests including: Agnes Anderson, Jane Dawson of Invest Northern Ireland, Cinta Gibbons, Pepper Jackson, Ginny Kavanaugh, Sylvia McGovern, Sheila O'Day Kiernan, Denise LaPointe, Rita O' Hara, Catherine M. O'Neill, Janet Reilly, Kathleen Santora, Maureen Sullivan, Carol & Bill Walsh and Dede Wilsey. Consul-General Gerry Staunton and San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes White were there too, along with Tourism Ireland's Tom Heneghan and Tom McFadden from Aer Lingus. Former Luncheon Chairs Michele Driscoll Alioto, Kathleen Ryan and Mary Toboni joined in the festivities and there was great excitement when The Exclusive Ireland Trip was won by Fiona Brophy-Hale.
AIF Board Directors Bart Murphy and Bill Walsh hosted tables and were joined by Evie & Bob Ferris, Vice-Consul Barry O'Brien and John Gilmore of Sling Media. Also present were AIF Chairs for the 2010 Gala Dinner on Friday, March 5th, Kathleen McDonough and Dick Dunn.
This unique Luncheon has become a fixture on the Irish-American calendar in San Francisco and once again proved to be an enormously popular and fun gathering!
Sincere thanks to our generous sponsors:
Ashford Castle | The Merrion Hotel | Aer Lingus | Lily O'Brien's Chocolates