b'13 DAY TWOA Day of Strategy and an Evening of CelebrationThe day began with the Plenary Session where supporters program since the Inaugural Young Leaders Summit inheard from Ireland Funds leadership about the progress of January. The session included an update on the Youngthe Promising Ireland Campaign and plans to come. Hugo Leaders $1.35 million fundraising goal by the end of 2013.MacNeill, the Chairman of The Ireland Funds in Ireland, Thegroupwasdelightedtolearntheyare1/3ofthe first spoke to the group about the impact that the Promising way there just five months since setting the target at theirIreland Campaign had made to so many organizations in summit in NYC.Ireland.The evening capped off with the highlight event of the Kieran McLoughlin, President & CEO of The World- Conference: the Gala dinner at the famous Ballymaloewide Ireland Funds, then delivered the big announcement House in Shanagarry. The buzz had been building for daysof the day. Those gathered already knew that the Promising about the arrival of former US President Bill Clinton. Ireland Campaign had smashed through its original goal of PresidentClintonhadtravelledtoCorktoattendtheraising $100 million for charities, 19 months ahead of the evening along with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to celebratecampaigns end. Kieran announced that the Board of Direc- the progress of the Promising Ireland Campaign.tors had approved the increase of the Campaigns goal to LorettaBrennanGlucksman,ChairmanofThe $140 million to be raised by the end of 2013. The announce- American Ireland Fund, introduced Nobel Laureate andment was met resolve and enthusiasm by those gathered. longtime friend of The Ireland Funds, Seamus Heaney. SheCaitriona Fottrell, Vice President, spoke about therecapped that Seamus had been the second recipient of impact of the latest grant round. Over 900 applications had The American Ireland Fund AWB Vincent Literary Awardbeen received from organizations seeking funding. The many years ago. Loretta added a personal note to the eveninggrant round, core to the mission of The Ireland Funds, was by reading a poem that had been written for her by Seamusthe largest ever in the history of the organization andHeaney.SeamusHeaneyrecalledhisowncareerasa would deliver much-needed support to over 150 worthystruggling poet and the difference receiving The Irelandorganizations doing work on the ground. Funds Literary Award made to him as he established hisAfter the Plenary Session, over 60 Young leadersreputation. He shared that he had taken great joy being gathered for an afternoon of planning. Young Leaders from associated with the program for 40 years and seeing new andeverychapterwerepresenttohearanupdateonemerging artists who were encouraged and supported. the program. Pat Tully, National Director of the Young Supporters retired late that evening to the Knights BarLeaders and Caitlin Duffy, Irish Young Leader Director, at Castlemartyr for a terrific sing-song and after-party, inkickedoffthesessionbyprovidinganupdateonthetrue Irish style.connect2012 | 65'