February 16, 2012 – On the occasion of Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s three-day visit to the United States, The American Ireland Fund, along with James R. Boyle, Anne M. Finucane and Robert L. Reynolds, hosted a private dinner for a select group of American Ireland Fund supporters. The event, held at the Four Seasons Hotel, provided a unique opportunity for many of New England’s top civic, philanthropic and business leaders to hear directly from Ireland’s Prime Minister on Ireland’s economic recovery.
The Taoiseach expressed delight at meeting so many warm friends of Ireland in Boston. He welcomed the opportunity to meet and thank in person a number of significant supporters of The American Ireland Fund.
“I would like to thank The American Ireland Fund for the great work they do and their steadfast commitment to Ireland. My visit to Boston has been a great opportunity to reconnect with so many friends of Ireland in the capital of Irish America.”
Executive Director of The American Ireland Fund, Steve Greeley said, “We were delighted to provide the opportunity for Taoiseach Enda Kenny to connect directly to some of New England’s most influential leaders. Ireland’s economic recovery is of great interest to our supporters and the ongoing ‘Celtic Comeback’ will be greatly assisted by their collaborations and investments.”
Attending the dinner were hosts Anne M. Finucane, President, Northeast of Bank of America; Robert L. Reynolds, President & CEO of Putnam Investments; James R. Boyle, President of John Hancock Financial Services. Also in attendance were Jose Almeida, President & CEO of Covidien; Kathy Murphy, President, Personal Investing of Fidelity Investments; Howard Elias, President & COO of EMC; Mike Sheehan, CEO of Hill Holliday; Karen Kaplan, President of Hill Holliday
The American Ireland Fund event was part of a three-day visit that included a meeting with Mayor Michael Bloomberg in NYC, and the Taoiseach’s delivery of a speech at Harvard University’s JFK School of Government.
It was the Taoiseach’s first visit to Boston following his involvement last week with the Clinton Foundation business conference in New York.
About The Worldwide Ireland Funds
The Worldwide Ireland Funds are an international charitable network operating in 12 countries and have raised over $380 million for worthy causes in Ireland and around the world. The mission of The Ireland Funds is to be the largest worldwide network of people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland dedicated to raising funds to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland. Founded in 1976, they have assisted over 1,200 organizations.
The Worldwide Ireland Funds have launched the Promising Ireland Campaign to raise $100 million by the end of 2013 on behalf of Irish charities. Charities across the island of Ireland are experiencing an increased demand for their services at a time of a major reduction in resources. The Campaign’s title – Promising Ireland – reflects The Worldwide Ireland Funds’ pledge to these groups as well as a belief in Ireland’s future. Over 300 outstanding projects and organizations have already received support from the Promising Ireland Campaign.