b'GREAT BRITAINGreat Britain Gala DinnerHONOREES: AUTHOR EDNA OBRIEN; SIR JOHN PARKER, CHAIRMAN OF LAING OROURKE; RUGBY LEGEND RORY BEST November, 2019Edna OBrien , Irelands most celebrated living writer, wasEdna OBriens speech had guests enthralled and she concluded with a read-among those honored when The Ireland Funds Great Britain (IFGB) held itsing from thePlayboy of the Western Worldwhich was followed by rapturous annual Gala Dinner in thePlaisterers Hallin London on 6 November 2019.applause.Sir John Parker , who has had an illustrious career in business and Over 240 business leaders and others from the Irish community gathered tois the current Chairman ofLaing ORourke , shared some of his insights into support the work of the IFGB.Jarlath Regan , presenter of hit podcastAnbusiness, leadership and life. The evening was rounded off with a fireside chat Irishman Abroad , hosted the event. The evening opened with theLondonbetweenJarlathand rugby legend,Rory Best , as they discussed the empathy Irish Centrebeing presented with theAnnual Community Awardwhich isof the Irish rugby fans and Rorys adjustment to post-rugby life.Emily Bohill , presented each year in recognition of the recipient organizations exceptionalTrustee of the IFGB, launchedThe IFGB 100 Clubdedicated to raising funds work and the impact it achieves within the community. IFGB honored threespecifically for the organizations Annual Grant Round which supports not-for-exceptional Irish people who have excelled in their fields at the Gala Dinner: profit organizations operating within the Irish community in Great Britain and Edna OBrien , DBELifetime Achievement AwardCulture across the island of Ireland.Sir John Parker , GBE FREngLifetime Achievement AwardBusinessRory Best , OBELifetime Achievement AwardSport 1Edna OBrien, Rory Godson2Sir John Parker, Emily Bohill 3Ross Frenett, Victoria Wallace4Jarlath Regan, Rory Best 5David Cronin, Rory Best 6Gareth Carragher, Luke Powell, Jack OMeara, David Collins, Michael Hussey, Cathal Hurley7Jarlath Regan welcoming guests 8Barry Devereux, Garrett Hayes, Hugo MacNeill9Rory Godson, Rory Best, Brian & Sue Dickie, Pierce DarganPhotos: Noel Mullen1 2connect 202096'