The Singapore Ireland Fund Emerald Ball, “A Wilde Night Out” was held in the St. Regis Hotel in Singapore on Friday 3rd November 2012. The Ball was attended by almost 400 guests, including the Guest of Honour, Former President of Singapore, Mr S R Nathan. Other special guests included Ciaran Cannon, Irish Junior Minister at the Department of Education and Skills; Irish Ambassador Joseph Hayes and his wife Deirdre; American Ambassador David Adelman and his wife Caroline; and Belgian Ambassador Roland Van Remoortele and his wife Sylvia.
A video of Irish President Michael D. Higgins praising the Irish diaspora in Singapore for their support to The Worldwide Ireland Funds was shown at the beginning of the evening. President Higgins praised the fantastic work of The Singapore Ireland Fund to enhance the link between Ireland and Singapore, while raising much-needed funds for charities. The guests were also treated to a special video of the community in Camphill, Carrig-On-Suir, thanking The Singapore Ireland Fund for previous support.
An amazing night was enjoyed by all and the wonderful entertainment was provided by the pipers from McNally Memorial Pipe Band, (a project sponsored by The Singapore Ireland Fund), Lush and CRAN, an Irish traditional band led by Brian Mooney. James Chan entertained the guests with some wonderful traditional Irish music on his tin whistle and flute having recently returned from The Willie Clancy School of Irish Music in Co. Clare.
A live auction and a silent auction ensured there was plenty excitement throughout the evening. Mr Ian McGinlay, auctioneer from Sotheby’s Hong Kong, ensured each item was sold at the best possible price. Colin MacDonald, Crystal Lim Leahy and Noor Quek (members of The Singapore Ireland Fund) encouraged bidders throughout the evening.
Dr Stanley Quek, Chairman of The Singapore Ireland Fund, thanked all sponsors, volunteers and guests who helped make the Emerald Ball such a successful and enjoyable evening, in particular Board member Sheila Lim.
This year The Singapore Ireland Fund supported Eldercare in Singapore. The two benefiting charities for 2012 were The Alzheimer’s Disease Association and The Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing. Dr Quek, Colin MacDonald (Deputy Chairman of The Singapore Ireland Fund) and Former President S R Nathan presented the cheques for $200,000 each to representatives of the 2 chosen charities. 10 Bidders also bid $10,000 each to “Sponsor an Elder.” Monies raised during 2012 have also provided a McNally Book Prize and will sponsor an Occupational Therapist from The Singapore Institute of Technology to study in Trinity College in Dublin.
The Singapore Ireland Fund looks forward to another successful year in 2013.