b'AROUND THE WORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDTEXAS231TheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSocietyReceptionforAmbassadorAnneAndersonandTexasConsulGeneralAdrianFarrellFEBRUARY, 2014Friends and supporters of The American Ireland Fund provided a warm Texan welcome to 1Ray & Leslie Sullivan, Dan Shelley, Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson on her first trip to Texaswhile also making Consul General Adrian Farrell feel most Ambassador Anderson, Barry & Fionnuala Conlonwelcome in his new hometown of Austin. The reception was co-sponsored by Fionnuala & Barry Conlon, Leslie & Ray2Dennis Kearns, Curtis Guilbot, Sullivan, and Bernadette & Dan Shelley. From the offices of host Ray Sullivan, all guests were treated to magnificent viewsWill Wynn3Michael Hegarty, Brendan Roberts, of the Texas State Capitol while they enjoyed the 2012 Viognier and the 2012 Tempranillo wines from Winegeese vintners,Michael TreygerBrennan Vineyards of Comanche, Texas. Host Ray Sullivan welcomed everyone and provided a fascinating overview ofthe little-known history of the Irish in Texas. Consul General Farrell then thanked all present and said he looked forward to playing his part in enlarging the community of people throughout Texas who are interested in and committed toconnecting with Ireland. Ambassador Anderson spoke fondly of her long association with The American Ireland Fund and The Ireland Funds WineGeese Society dating back to her time as Irelands Ambassador to France, then as Ambassador to the UN in New York and now as her countrys Ambassador to the United States. She thanked The American Ireland Fund for being a good, true and supportive friend to Ireland. Honorary Consul General and AIF National Board Director, John Kane closed out the evening with a very special presentation to Ambassador Anderson of the second edition of the award-winning book, A Kingdom of Wine made possible by support from the patrons of the WineGeese Society of The Ireland Funds. Honorary Consul General Kane thanked the Ambassador for being so hospitable and gracious to The American Ireland Fund and to the WineGeese in particular in both France and the US.connect2015 | 86'