connect 2018 • 73 GREAT BRITAIN AROUND THE WORLD 4 5 6 7 8 8 May, 2018 The Ireland Funds Great Britain hosted the third annual London City Lunch at the magnificent Mansion House. The sold-out event brought together more than 230 leading business figures and dignitaries to support the work of The Ireland Funds. Caitriona Fottrell, Vice President and Director Ireland of The Ireland Funds, opened the program by welcoming guests. She also welcomed Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain, Adrian O’Neill, his wife, Aisling; and The Lord Mayor of the City of London, The Rt. Hon Charles Bowman, who kindly hosted the event in his residence. Ms. Fottrell introduced the Lord Mayor who took the stage and welcomed guests and spoke of the history and traditions of the Lord Mayor’s role, as well as the philanthropic links associated with the position. She then introduced Barry Devereux, Managing Partner of McCann FitzGerald, spon- sors of the London City Lunch, who spoke about the impactful work of The Ireland Funds. After lunch, the London City Lunch Committee Chair and The Ireland Funds Great Britain Trustee, businessman Rory Godson, whose strong leadership was the bedrock of the success of the lunch, fondly remembered the late Peter Sutherland, former Chairman of the IFGB, before introducing the special guest speaker, José Manuel Barroso. Proceeds of the event support the ongoing work of The Ireland Funds Great BritainwhichhasfundedprojectsincludingtheBirminghamIrishAssociation, Integrated Education in Northern Ireland, London-Irish Reflections, the Southwark Pensioners and The London Irish Centre which addresses health and wellbeing in London’s Irish community. The Ireland Funds Great Britain London City Lunch 1 2 3 1 Seamus McGarry, Rory Godson, Garrett Hayes, The Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor, Jose Manuel Barosso, Karen Spencer, Barry Devereux, Zachary Webb 2 Elgin Loane, Michael Keaveney, Seamus McGarry 3 Jose Manuel Barosso 4 Guests in the Egyptian Hall, Mansion House 5 The Egyptian Hall 6 The Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor 7 Barry Devereux 8 James Hickey, Barry Devereux and Guests 9 Caitriona Fottrell Photos: Fergus Burnett