The 2015 New York Dinner Gala was kicked off with over 80 guests who gathered in March to begin the official countdown to the May Gala. This year’s Dinner will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Dan Rooney and Tony O’Reilly founding the Fund. Since that fateful night, the New York Dinner Gala has become the largest of the over 100 events hosted annually by The Worldwide Ireland Funds across 12 countries. The New York Dinner Gala has generated over $50 million for deserving Irish projects across Ireland and here in the United States.
President & CEO, Kieran McLoughlin welcomed guests and announced this year’s Dinner Chair: Bob McCann, Chief Executive Officer, UBS Group Americas and the Bird and Bell Award Recipients: The Leslie C. Quick Jr. Family who have been faithful supporters of the Dinner over the last four decades.
Kieran also announced that Senator George Mitchell would be the special guest on the night. Senator Mitchell had a leading role in the negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland and was the architect of the Good Friday Agreement. Chairman of The American Ireland Fund, John Fitzpatrick, paid tribute to Dan Rooney and Tony O’Reilly for the work they began in 1976.
Dinner Chairman, Bob McCann also referred to the historic nature of this dinner but also pointed out the importance of looking to the future. On behalf of The Leslie C. Quick Jr. Family, Les Quick recognized the deep connection between the Quick family and The American Ireland Fund.
Prior to the reception, members of the Dinner Committee gathered for their first meeting to embark on driving and promoting the dinner. With a target of $3 million, the Dinner Committee will be the backbone of the dinner which will provide funding for The Ireland Funds’ Grant Round to help support hundreds of outstanding charities across the island of Ireland.
New York Dinner Chair
Bob McCann, Chief Executive Officer, UBS Group Americas
Bird and Bell Award Recipients
The Leslie C. Quick Jr. Family
Special Guest
Senator George J. Mitchell
