Click any photo to send as an ecard!

The 22nd Annual Chicago Dinner for The American Ireland Fund was held on November 1, 2006 at the Four Seaons Hotel Chicago.

The honored guest was Former United States Ambassador to Ireland, James C. Kenny (more below) . The dinner co-chairs were Edward A. Brennan Thomas J. Cashman Denis J. Healy Andrew J. McKenna Thomas F. Meagher, Jr. Philip J. Purcell Shirley Welsh Ryan Patrick G. Ryan.

The American Ireland Performing Arts Award was received by Moya Doherty and John McColgan, the creators of Riverdance and The Pirate Queen (more below)

More info >

James C. Kenny

Ambassador James C. Kenny, United States Ambassador to Ireland, presented his credentials to the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, at Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin, on October 31, 2003.

James C. Kenny has been Executive President of Kenny Construction Company and President of Kenny Management Services. Kenny Construction Company is a 79 year-old firm, involved in building projects across the United States. Kenny Management Services is a new division which has overseen large, complex construction projects such as the Chicago Midway Airport expansion and the new stadium for the Chicago Bears football team. In addition to his involvement in the construction industry, Mr. Kenny has found time to devote to public and community service. Illinois Governor Jim Edgar appointed him to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board in 1991. Former President George H.W. Bush appointed Mr. Kenny to the National Corporation for Housing Partnerships. He also served on the transition team for President George W. Bush (2000-2001).

Ambassador Kenny received the Flax Trust Award in 2004. The Flax Trust was formed in Belfast in 1977 and is the largest community regeneration project in the whole of Ireland. Ambassador Kenny was a member of President Bush’s first overseas delegation in February 2002, traveling to Nicaragua for the inauguration of President Bolanos. He has sat on boards of directors for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Bradley University, Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Illinois Business Roundtable. Ambassador Kenny has been the recipient of several business and community service awards, among them the Hispanic American Construction Association’s Contractor of the Year and a Salvation Army award for the Tree of Lights campaign in 2001. He was also selected as one of Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40” Outstanding Executives. Ambassador Kenny received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He and his wife Margaret have four children.

 Moya Doherty

Moya Doherty’s career includes theatre, radio and a distinguished and award-winning track record in television production, both in Ireland and the UK. Moya is the Producer of Riverdance, the worldwide acclaimed theatrical phenomenon, which premiered in Dublin’s
Point Theatre in February 1995.

She is a Director of Tyrone Productions, Ireland’s leading independent television production company, whose output includes drama, documentary and entertainment programming. She was a founding Director of Today FM – Ireland’s national commercial radio station and as a member of the Board of the Dublin Theatre Festival Moya is heavily involved in promoting new and challenging theatrical work in Ireland.

Moya has won many awards and accolades over the years. She has been named Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year; she has received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and has been bestowed with honorary doctorates from the University of Ulster and from the National University of Ireland in recognition of her success and her ongoing commitment to the world of the arts in Ireland.

 John McColgan

John McColgan’s career as a highly successful television director began in the mid seventies in RTÉ Television (Ireland’s national broadcasting station) where he went on to become Head of Entertainment. He is a founding Director of Tyrone Productions, Ireland’s premier independent television production company and is Chairman of Today FM, Ireland’s national commercial radio station. He played a key role in the evolution of Riverdance from the original seven-minute dance number and went on to direct the full stage-show spectacular.

John has been closely involved with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre – he was on the Board of the Theatre for five years, served as Chairman of the Abbey Centenary Committee and directed a critically-acclaimed production of the 19th century melodrama, The Shaughraun for the theatre. Currently John is also involved in developing Magick Macabre, a theatrical show of magic, horror and illusion. John has received many awards during his career, including an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the National University of Ireland in recognition of his services to the arts and entertainment.

Photo Index

1. Dinner table
2. The Four Seasons Ballroom
3. Moya Doherty, Kingsley Aikins, President & CEO The Worldwide Ireland Funds, John McColgan
4. Ambassador James C. Kenny
5. Moya Doherty, John McColgan
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.