connect 2018 • 81 2 5 8 3 6 1 4 7 September, 2018 The Ireland Funds hosted an Appreciation Reception at The Fairmont Hotel Dallas to thank and publicly acknowledge supporters and friends of The Ireland Funds. John Fitzpatrick, Chairman of The Ireland Funds America, expressed his gratitude for the support and encouragement guests graciously offered throughout the past two decades. He then introduced Darina Padian, the new Texas Director, who acknowledged past and current board members, chairs, committee members and loyal volunteers who have gener- ously given of themselves to help The Ireland Funds succeed in Texas and beyond. Darina announced the dates of the upcoming 2019 fundraising events: the Texas Emerald Ball, Saturday, March 9 and the 21st Texas Irish American Cup Challenge, Monday, May 13. American Airlines’ Scott Sirianni, VP of Regional Sales, took the opportunity to announce plans for American Airlines to start a seasonal direct flight from Dallas to Dublin beginning June 6, 2019.The program ended with John Tillotson, long-time supporter and Chair of the 2019 Texas Irish American Cup Challenge, generating excitement for the upcoming golf tournament and its new location at TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas. It was an extraordinary coming-together of friends old and new to celebrate the philanthropic impact the Texas chapter had made for Ireland and beyond. The commitment to The Ireland Funds’ mission was renewed as those attending looked forward to a fresh roster of events and the bright future of The Ireland Funds in Texas. Texas Appreciation Reception 1 Tom Codd, John Tillotson, Archie Bennett 2 Tommy Gallagher, Kevin Curley, John Fitzpatrick 3 John Grimes, Linda & Tom McCarthy 4 Rose of Tralee and Young Leaders 5 Joe and Sylvia Tillotson 6 Vicki Howland, June Bennett, Bobbie Sue Williams, Ann Levell 7 Richard & Michelle Anderson, Linda & Tom McCarthy, Barbara & Ed Garahan 8 Cliff Miercourt, Darina Padian, Maureen Kelly Cooper, Debbi Tierney Webb Photos: Can Turkyilmaz TEXAS AROUND THE WORLD