Young Leaders’ St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – 03.13.2008

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On Thursday, March 13, the New York Young Leaders hosted their annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Cipriani 23rd Street. The venue’s magnificent Art Deco décor served as a sophisticated backdrop to this much-anticipated party, which in only three years has become one of the most celebrated St. Patrick’s Day events in NYC.

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Boasting a record crowd of 700 Irish and Irish-American supporters, this fundraiser generated important funds for a major Irish philanthropic project - PeacePlayers International - and honored one of the US’s most famous entertainment personalities, Conan O’Brien.

The Young Leaders Irish Spirit Award
Led by St. Patrick’s Day Co-Chairs Patrick Tully and Rob Fox, the Young Leaders honored Emmy Award-Winning writer and television host Conan O’Brien. Chosen for his work with the Massachusetts-based charity Labels Are For Jars and his Irish connections, Conan’s philanthropic efforts have proved inspirational to the Young Leaders. True to form, Conan delighted the crowd with his signature style of wit. Emphasizing many Irish stereotypes from the humorous to the simply ridiculous, Conan regaled the audience with tales of his childhood and his mother’s pride in their heritage. On the subject of his work with Labels Are For Jars, he was quick to move the focus to his long-time friend and college roommate Father Paul O’Brien, whom he credited with the success of the charity which works to feed the hungry of Lawrence, MA. He credited Father Paul with the foundation of the Core Unum meal center and spoke of the responsibility we all have to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

PeacePlayers International is an organization that uses the game of basketball as a tool to promote mutual understanding and respect between Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland.  Basketball, unlike traditional sports in Northern Ireland, is not affiliated with either community.  By competing together on mixed teams on a regular basis, prejudices are overcome by the desire to play and have fun. This ensures that the divisions of the past are not carried through to the next generation.

Event co-chair Pat Tully commented  “the Young Leaders St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is a true celebration of all things Irish and has quickly become one of the most important St. Patrick’s Day parties in the greatest city in the world. It is symbolic of a collective effort and a source of deep pride for our Young Leaders.”  The Young Leaders St. Patrick’s Day Celebration featured musical entertainment by the Washington DC based Celtic rock band “Scythian” and spirited live auctions for a Luxury Holiday to Ireland & a Deluxe Trip to the Irish Derby. 

Info
T - 212.689.3100

Photos
1 - Main room, Cipriani's 23rd
2 - Conan O'Brien
3 - Conan O'Brien, Kieran McLoughlin, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Pat Tully, Rob Fox
4 - John Madden, Kaitlyn Cafferky, Kathleen Tuohy
5 - Rob Fox, Maura Weissman
6 - Guests
7 - Musical Entertainment, Scythian
8 - Kathryn Whooley Vreeland, Guest
9 - Father Paul, Conan O'Brien, Kieran McLoughlin, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Pat Tully, Rob Fox
10 - Silent Auction Room
11 - Len and Maureen O'Hagan, Kingsley Aikins
12 - Conan O'Brien, Loretta Brennan Glucksman
13 - Conan O'Brien, Edna O'Brien
14 - Margaret Whelan, Guest
15 - Maureen Gillespie, Suzanne O'Sullivan, Conan O'Brien, Caitlin McCormick
16 - Mrs. Hanafin, Conan O'Brien, Mary Hanafin, TD
17 - Raffle Winner
18 - Conan and Liza O'Brien
19 - Kieran McLoughlin, Father Paul, Maureen Gillespie
20 - Guests
21 - Guests
22 - Patrick Tully and Rob Fox with Conan

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