b'AROUND THE WORLD | THE IRELAND FUND OF JAPANThe Ireland Fund of Japan 20th Annual Emerald Ball MARCH, 2012 220 GUESTS AND PATRONS FILLED THE WESTIN HOTEL TOKYOFORAMAGNIFICENTEVENINGOFIRISHCRAICwithhonoredVIPs:HIHPrincess Takamado and the Ambassador for Ireland to Japan, John Neery. The Emerald Ball Committee chairedby Andrew Nolan, did a great job of making the preparations for the evening top notch and the WestinHotel General Manager Dietmar Kielnhofer and staff all did their best to make the eventgo smoothly. TheEmerald Balls many sponsors included Virgin Atlantic Airways and Diageo Japan who provided flightprizes and great Guinness. Volunteers were joined by three former and current Miss Japan Universe titleholders who helped to sell a record amount of raffle tickets. Paul Boylan, President of The Ireland Fund ofJapan wore green on the night and presided over a challenging live auction packed with great sportingitems. By evenings end, the event had gathered over 3 million yen for the various Tohoku EarthquakeTsunami Disaster Foundations supported by The Ireland Fund of Japan. So after the last cel, Paul Boylan announced that guests were welcome to attend the St. Patricks Day Parade on 18th March, one ofthe 13 parades to be held around Japan on that weekend. The evening ended at Paddy Foley`s, whereguests retired to watch Ireland vs. England until the wee hours.connect2012 | 110'