The American Ireland Fund Reception for First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland : 12.5.07

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Coming to the close of their remarkable visit to New York City, Loretta Brennan Glucksman hosted Dr. Ian Paisley, First Minister of Northern Ireland, and Mr. Martin McGuinness, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to a reception at her residence.

In the company of eighty of the Fund’s leading supporters, Loretta congratulated both men on their courage, commitment and unity of purpose. She spoke of how delighted the Fund’s supporters were by recent events in Northern Ireland given that they, for thirty years, supported work promoting peace and reconciliation. Loretta raised a toast to the best Christmas in Northern Ireland in a generation.

In response, Dr. Paisley spoke movingly of what brought him to the point where he was willing to lead a devolved government in Northern Ireland. He spoke of his love of Ulster and its people and his desire to establish a permanent peace. Mr. McGuinness spoke of the leadership of Dr. Paisley and others had shown in driving the North’s Peace Process. He talked of the new hope and optimism existing in the North. He spoke also of the challenge in building a new economy and new society in Northern Ireland and the crucial role America must play in this. The words of both men deeply moved the guests at this remarkable event.

Key guests included Baroness Paisley and Ian Paisley Jnr, Minister Nigel Dodds, Liam Neeson, Martin Sullivan of AIG, Brendan and Moira McNamara from Dublin, Ireland’s Consul General Niall Burgess, Ireland’s Ambassador to the UN Paul Kavanagh and Jon Benjamin of the British Consulate.

This was an utterly memorable evening saluting two remarkable men and a new beginning in Northern Ireland.

Some of the comments of those who attended include:

“What a magnificent evening!!! As someone who grew up in the North at the height of the troubles from '69 to '81 it was just unbelievable to see these two men act toward each other the way they did. It speaks volumes for both their commitment to the process and to the level of comfort they have with each other. Many thanks once again for inviting me to be a participant at such a historic event.....I feel truly privileged.”
• John O’Donoghue, Co-Head of Equities, SG Cowen & Co. LLC

“It was very moving to see the Reverend Ian Paisley discuss with great emotion and sincerity his reasons for agreeing to the new power sharing government. It was a truly historic evening which will long live in memory.”
• Niall O’Dowd, Publisher, The Irish Voice

“Many thanks for including Elaine and I in last night's event.......seeing and meeting Ian and Martin was a truly memorable experience.”
• Michael George, Managing Director, Deutsche Bank

“It was really amazing to see Rev. Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness standing up and speaking together last night. In my humble opinion, Loretta and everyone at the AIF have had a profound impact on Ireland. It is an honor to be a part of such a great organization”.
• Rob Fox, Vice President Suite Sales, Madison Square Gardens

See all photos captions   © 85Photo.com
1A.JPG - Baroness Paisley, Lesley King Grenier, Maureen Gillespie
1B.JPG - Nigel Dodds, Kieran McLoughlin
1C.JPG - Ken Gorman, Kerry Chaffers, Martin McGuinness
1D.JPG - Martin Sullivan, Ian Paisley
1E.JPG - Ian Paisley, Liam Neeson
1F.JPG - Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness
1G.JPG - Ian Paisley, Liam Neeson, Martin McGuinness
1H.JPG - Ian Paisley, Liam Neeson, Martin Sullivan, Martin McGuinness
1I.JPG - Martin McGuinness, Liam Neeson
1K.JPG - Baroness Paisley, Ian Paisley, John O'Donoghue
1L.JPG - Sheila O'Malley, Ian Paisley
1M.JPG - Ian Paisley, Kieran McLoughlin, Bernard McNamara
1N.JPG - Ian Paisley, Anthony Callaghan
1O.JPG - Mike Higgins, Ian Paisley, Anthony Callaghan
1P.JPG - Martin McGuinness, Ian Hyland
1Q.JPG - Ian Paisley, Mike Higgins, Martin Kehoe
1R.JPG - Ian Paisley, Lesley King Grenier
1S.JPG - Baroness Paisley, Kathleen Fee, Ian Paisley, Kevin Fee
1T.JPG - Ian Paisley, Peter Scallan, Gabrielle Murphy, Miriam Mooney
1U.JPG - Diane and Lex Gamble, Martin McGuinness, Loretta Brennan Glucksman
1V.JPG - Ian Paisley
1W.JPG - Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness
1X.JPG - Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness, Loretta Brennan Glucksman
1Y.JPG - Ian Paisley, Maureen Gillespie
1.ZJPG - American Ireland Fund Staff, Baroness and Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness
2AJPG - Michael George, Martin McGuinness, Elaine Pang
2B.JPG - Kevin Fee, Martin McGuinness, Kathleen Fee
2C.JPG - Baroness Paisley
2D.JPG - John Fitzpatrick, Baroness Paisley, Ian Paisley, Kingsley Aikins
2E.JPG - Ian Paisley, Kingsley Aikins, Tim Losty
2F.JPG - Martin McGuinness, Tim Phillips, Matthew McBride
2G.JPG - Martin McGuinness, Maureen Gillespie
2H.JPG - Ian Paisley, Denis O'Brien, Martin McGuinness
2I.JPG - Ian Paisley, Baroness Paisley, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Denis O'Brien, Martin McGuinness