National Board Member, Bart Murphy, hosted the
evening to welcome Mr Michael McDowell, Tánaiste
(Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland) and Minister
for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and his
wife, Professor Niamh Brennan, to LA. The Ministerial
party included Agnes and Sean Aylward, Secretary
General, Department of Justice, Equality and
Law Reform and Mary and Noel Conroy, Commissioner,
Garda Síochána. Local dignitaries
present were Émer Deane, Consul General
of Ireland, San Francisco and Úna Fannon,
Vice Consul with Carmel and Finbar Hill, Honorary
Consul of Ireland, Los Angeles.
AIF Regional Director, Marjorie Muldowney, warmly
welcomed everyone and described the wide range
of projects currently undertaken by the Fund,
particularly programs pertaining to integrated
education in Northern Ireland. Bart Murphy talked
eloquently about the difference The American
Ireland Fund has made in Ireland and gave a great
introduction to An Tanaiste. Mr. McDowell demonstrated
his marvellous ability to communicate very effectively
as he described the strong links that exist between
Ireland and the U.S. and thanked everyone for
their tremendous support over many years.
Guests included Eileen Moore Murphy (Mrs. Bart
Murphy), Peter Culhane and Adrienne Fontanella,
Lynn and Ted Leary, Linda and Brian Prinn, Erin
and Ryan Kerrigan, and Anne and Jimmy Murphy.
Also present were Andrew (AK) and Lori Forthmann,
David Price and Charlotte Robinson, Marian and
Ted Napier, Michele and Tom Kneafsey, Michele
and Conor Shalloe and Margaret Hayhurst. Bob
O'Rourke of Caltech was there with his wife Sandy
and also Valerie and Harry Hartford, Marian and
Niall O'Muilleoir of Financial Dynamics and Annette
and Dick Schnell.
The evening wrapped up with glorious musical
entertainment by Margaret O'Carroll, accompanied
by Celine Kenneally.
Profuse thanks to Bart Murphy for hosting this
memorable night!
