On November 7, 2013 friends of The American Ireland Fund were treated to a fascinating presentation by Robert O’Byrne, Vice President of the Irish Georgian Society. Those in attendance included the event’s host and AIF Regional Advisory Board member, Beth Struckell, AIF Life Trustee Netta Blanchard, AIF Regional Advisory Board members Rachel Gaffney Smith and Andy Welch, as well as Bill Murray co-chair of the 2014 Dallas Emerald Ball. Lifetime members of the Irish Georgian Society, Deborah Ryan, Bobbie Sue Williams and Gisela Ziebarth, graciously joined in the breakfast reception as well.
Guests learned much about the Irish Georgian Society’s ongoing restoration of Dublin's 1760s City Assembly House in South William Street. The Assembly House was the first purpose-built public exhibition gallery in all of Britain and Ireland. Complimented by dramatic historical and current images, Robert told the fascinating story of the renovation of this striking historic building which was the venue of many famous speeches by Daniel O'Connell.
The Irish Georgian Society promotes the conservation of distinguished examples of architecture and the allied arts of all periods in Ireland. The AIF is proud to be a longtime supporter of the work of the Irish Georgian Society and its preservation of Irish culture.
