The Ireland Funds Welcomes An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, TD Prime Minister of Ireland and Hosts a Celebration of Visionary Women
Washington DC, Wednesday, March 13, 2019 — The Ireland Funds hosted its 27th Annual National Gala at The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, TD Prime Minister of Ireland addressed the 700+ guests attending The Ireland Funds’ event as part of his multi-stop St. Patrick’s Day visit to the U.S.
The Gala’s theme was “A Celebration of Visionary Women” and honored four business, government and media leaders. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D, NH) received the Leadership in Government and Public Service Award; Sarah Friar, CEO of Nextdoor received the Business Leadership Award; Norah O’Donnell, Co-Host of CBS This Morning received the Leadership in Media Award and the Hon. Abigail Slater, Special Assistant to The President for Technology, Telecommunications & Cyber Security Policy, National Economic Council received the Leadership in Government Award.
“Tonight’s Gala is a moment when our friends gather to celebrate the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day and support the philanthropic mission of The Ireland Funds to give back to great causes across the island of Ireland,” said John Fitzpatrick, Chairman of The Ireland Funds America. “We are delighted to recognize these four women who have given back to their own communities through their business acumen, devotion to public service and excellence in media. It is a true honor to come together to mark their leadership and accomplishments this evening.”
The evening was a gathering of Gala Chairs, Irish and Irish American leaders, in business, government, the media and the arts. The event celebrated Irish culture and heritage and generated support for the work of The Ireland Funds. The annual event, one of 150+ The Ireland Funds hold annually, is a key opportunity to celebrate Irish-American relations in the presence of key decision makers providing a unique platform to advance the Irish agenda in America.
Guests of note included H.E. Daniel Mulhall, Irish Ambassador to the U.S; Sir Kim Darroch, British Ambassador to the US; and Representative Richard E. Neal (D-MA-1) Chairman of Friends of Ireland in Congress.
Photo credit: Erika Layne Photography (photo #1),
Photo credit: Caitlin Myler.
Video
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, TD Prime Minister of Ireland addressed the 700+ guests attending The Ireland Funds’ event as part of his multi-stop St. Patrick’s Day visit to the U.S.
LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D, NH)
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Sarah Friar, CEO, Nextdoor
LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AWARD
Hon. Abigail A. Slater Special Assistant to The President for Technology, Telecommunications & Cyber Security Policy
LEADERSHIP IN MEDIA AWARD
Norah O’Donnell Co-Host, CBS This Morning
