On February 23, 2013 The American Ireland Fund celebrated its Inaugural Emerald Ball in the Grand Ballroom of the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. This was the newest addition to the calendar of more than 100 events The Worldwide Ireland Funds host annually around the globe and raised funds for The Worldwide Ireland Funds Promising Ireland Campaign which is currently assisting hundreds of charities throughout Ireland, North and South. The event was co-chaired by David Devlin, Co-owner of Scapes Incorporated, and Dr. Caitríona Ryan of Baylor University Medical Center.
The Inaugural Emerald Ball was an exciting debut in the Dallas social season. Daryl Johnston, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, and his wife Diane, longstanding supporters of The American Ireland Fund, were the evening’s honorees and were introduced by Cowboys’s legend, Roger Staubach. The event began with a wine reception and art exhibition by the renowned Dallas artist, Shannon Kincaid. Following dinner, there was a performance of “Tara” by Kincaid Stringer and Leslie McDonough. Kincaid is a Dallas native who has just finished a world tour with Riverdance. Leslie McDonough is a former Texan Rose who toured with Spirit of the Dance in Ireland.
On the night, The Phillip Earle “Bo” Williams III, MD Award was presented to Dr Alan Menter (Chief, Division of Dermatology, Baylor University Medical Center) in recognition of his world-renowned research in dermatology, and for his expertise in the treatment of psoriasis and other complicated diseases of the skin; Dr Menter’s mother was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland; he spent the first five years of his life in Dublin and subsequently has maintained a strong connection to his mother’s birthplace. He represented South Africa in rugby and played against Sir Anthony O’Reilly, co-founder of The American Ireland Fund. The Award bears the name of Dr Phillip Earle “Bo” Williams III, MD, a distinguished young doctor of internal medicine, recently deceased, with strong ties to Ireland where he received his early medical training under the mentorship of Dr Cormac Macnamara of Waterford and his son Dr Luke Macnamara of Glenstal Abbey.
The Corboy Anam Cara Award was presented to Camilla Ballard, Director of Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian Church, Dallas. The Award is named after Mr Michael R Corboy and “Anam Cara” is Irish for “soul friend”. Mike Corboy is a long standing American Ireland Fund Board Director and Dallas philanthropist who first introduced Camilla Ballard to Northern Ireland through the Speedwell Trust – a community venture that brings together Catholic and Protestant primary school children through a curriculum-based program. She is now working with Blackwater school in County Down, to introduce First Presbyterian youth to integrated education projects in Northern Ireland which bring Catholic and Protestant students together.
The Adolphus grand ballroom was filled with many well-known individuals from both sides of the Atlantic. These include:
Northern Irish First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness
Irish Consul General Aidan Cronin, Chicago
The Most Reverend Kevin J. Farrell, Bishop of Dallas
Hon Irish Consul General and AIF Board Member John Kane
AIF Board members: Tom Codd, Mike Corboy, Don Hanratty, Dolores McCall, Bill McNally
Admiral Patrick Walsh, US Navy (Ret) 59th Commander of the US Pacific Fleet
Vice Admiral Thomas Church III, US Navy (Ret)
President Michael Murphy, University College Cork
Harry and Rebecca McKillop, Perot Systems and McKillop Irish Spirit Award
Caroline Rose Hunt, Rosewood Corporation and Rosewood Foundation
Ebby Halliday, Ebby Halliday Realtors
Keith & Lisa Duffy, Irish singer-songwriter, actor, radio and television presenter and drummer
Mary Templeton, The Richard & Mary Templeton Foundation
Roger & Marianne Staubach, former Cowboys quarterback and businessman
We particularly wish to extend our thanks to Melissa Curry of Melissa Curry Studio in Dublin for donating the beautiful jewelry specially prepared for our ball; to Rachel Gaffney, host of the “Irish Kitchen” on AT&T UVERSE and HULU for generously providing the Irish Tea auction item; to David Devlin of Scapes Incorporated for the architectural master plan and landscaping package; and Kevin Whelan and Sarah Devlin of Irish Autism Action for the stunning Irish tour.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Patrons
Gold Sponsors
Crosby Enterprises Inc
Scapes Inc–David J Devlin
Shelly & Tom Codd
John Kennedy
Mary & Richard Templeton
Silver Sponsors
Celtic Legal
CLn Skin Care
Emerald Star Investments
The Gin Mill, Capital Pub & The Dubliner
Global Football-Gaelic Football Bowl 2014
KPK Inc
MedSynergies Inc
Trintech
W White & Associates, LLC
Kelley & Keith Burks
Declan Butler
Lou Ann & Mike Corboy
Carolyn & Buzz Crutcher
Kevin M Curley II
Jane & Don Hanratty
Ed Heffernan
Alayne & John Kane
Maureen Kelly
Dolores McCall
The Madden Family
Pam & Alan Menter
Christy Riddle
Beth Struckell
The Ken & Maureen Womack Family
Patrons
Melissa Curry Design
Herbert Park Hotel
Irish Autism Action
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Northern Ireland Bureau
Rachel Gaffney’s Real Ireland
University College Cork
Shannon Kincaid
Leslie McDonough & Valerie McDonough
Kincaid Stringer
