The Ireland Funds Great Britain hosted the annual London City Lunch at the magnificent Mansion House. The sold out event brought together more than 230 leading business figures and dignitaries to support the work of The Ireland Funds.
Caitriona Fottrell, Vice President and Director Ireland of The Ireland Funds, opened the program by welcoming guests. She also welcomed Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain, Adrian O’Neill, his wife, Aisling; and The Lord Mayor of the City of London, The Rt Hon Charles Bowman, who kindly hosted the event in his residence. Ms Fottrell introduced the Lord Mayor who took the stage and welcomed guests and spoke of the history and traditions of the Lord Mayor’s role, as well as the philanthropic links associated with the position.
Ms Fottrell thanked The Lord Mayor for his words before giving an overview of the work carried out by The Ireland Funds and thanking guests for their philanthropy. She then introduced Barry Devereux, Managing Partner of McCann FitzGerald, sponsors of the London City Lunch, who spoke about the work of The Ireland Funds and about Peter Sutherland.
After lunch, the London City Lunch Committee Chair and The Ireland Funds Great Britain Trustee, businessman Rory Godson, whose strong leadership was the bedrock of the success of the lunch, fondly remembered the late Peter Sutherland before introducing the special guest speaker, José Manuel Barroso.
Proceeds of event will support the ongoing work of The Ireland Funds Great Britain which has funded projects including the Birmingham Irish Association, Integrated Education in Northern Ireland, London-Irish Reflections, the Southwark Pensioners and Project Mind Yourself which addresses health and wellbeing in London’s Irish Community.
Photos: Fergus Burnett
