On Sunday April 28th a gathering of friends old and new came together in the beautiful Balboa Bay Club overlooking Balboa Island in sunny Newport Beach to celebrate the Irish film-making talent visiting California for the Newport Beach Film Festival’s Irish Spotlight. Hosted by Catherine Thyen, attendees included noted actor, director, photographer and writer Hugh O’Conor whose film Metal Heart was screening.
Long-time supporters of The Ireland Funds in attendance included National Board Member Harry Hartford and his wife Susan, Capt. Kevin Mac Donnell, Ed Gaffney, Sean & Jane Brown, Eileen Weatherbee, Deirdre O’Neill, Eamonn & Sylvia Fitzgerald, Andrew Nagle, Oisin O’Sullivan, David & Nikki Brody and Mark Rooney.
The Ireland Funds’ VP for Development in Los Angeles, Jonathan Loughran, welcomed everybody to the Bay Club, noting how encouraging it was to see so many new faces especially among our growing Young Leaders chapter. After thanking Catherine Thyen for once again hosting the gathering, Jonathan spoke about the contribution Irish culture continues to make in the US and around the world, and how the work of The Ireland Funds supports culture in all its forms.
Special thanks to Catherine Thyen for hosting the wonderful event.
Photos: John Watkins
