On Monday May 19th, AIF West Coast Regional Director
Marjorie Muldowney welcomed Ambassador Michael Collins
on his inaugural official visit to Los Angeles. The
Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades provided a
spectacular backdrop for friends and key supporters
of the Fund to gather together on a glorious evening.
The cocktail reception was followed by a special
dinner in the Club's elegant dining-room overlooking
the Pacific Ocean. Profuse thanks to Allison and
Bill Butler for arranging this beautiful venue.
Ambassador Collins was visiting with his wife, Marie
Collins and escorted by Consul General Emer Deane
and Honorary Consul General, Finbar Hill. AIF National
Board Director, Bart Murphy, flew in from San Francisco
with his wife Eileen and they were joined by Stephanie & Tom
Heneghan of Tourism Ireland and Tom McFadden of Aer
Lingus. Special guests included Monsignor Liam Kidney,
Adrienne Fontanella & Peter Culhane, Valerie & Harry
Hartford of Causeway Capital Management, former Utah
Jazz basketball player Adam Keefe, Don and Mary Beth
Woods, Dr. Tom Lomis and his wife Deborah, former
Miss Ireland and actress Olivia Treacy, Joan & Liam
Murphy of Amgen, Niall O'Muilleoir of Financial Dynamics
and Conor Shalloe.
Also present were Michelle & Tom Kneafsey, Lynn & Ted
Leary and Marian and Tom Napier as well as Annie & Jimmy
Murphy and Jane & Sean Brown. Conductor Derek
Gleeson of the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra talked
about the upcoming U.S. tour that kicks off in early
'09 with Shannon Anderson and Shannon DeBiaise while
Margaret Hayhurst charmed everyone with her quick
wit and sense of fun!
The Ambassador paid special tribute to The American
Ireland Fund, expressing gratitude for the tremendous
support that the U.S. has given Ireland for many
years. He made clear that while Northern Ireland
is at peace, it will take generations to heal properly
from the Troubles.
It was an evening of warm conviviality and we look
forward to seeing a strong American Ireland Fund
developing in Los Angeles, strengthening the ties
between the U.S. and Ireland.