New York - 4.30.08

The Fund bids Farewell

Following the occasion of his historic address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress, The American Ireland Fund took the opportunity to bid farewell to An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, in his last week and last visit to the United States as Taoiseach.

The American Ireland Fund co-hosted the event with Claret Capital which owns the splendid St. Regis Hotel – the venue for the event. Domhnal Slattery, its founder and Chairman, and Paul Geaney, Partner and Managing Director - the Americas, are members of the New York Dinner Committee. Domhnal Slattery welcomed the 120 guests on behalf of Claret Capital and the Fund. He expressed his great admiration of The Taoiseach’s skill as a negotiator and peacemaker. He spoke of how he had modernized and elevated Ireland and engendered a great spirit of enterprise.

Loretta Brennan Glucksman spoke of how the Taoiseach had presided over peace and prosperity. She said Claret Capital was a splendid example of the type of Irish enterprise which was enabled by Bertie Ahern’s time in Government. She spoke of her great pride in the Taoiseach as he became the first Irish leadership to report to the US Congress that Ireland was at peace. In recognition of his unparalled achievements, Loretta Brennan Glucksman presented the Taoiseach with a copy of The Flight Path. The Flight Path was published on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of The American Ireland Fund Literary Award and includes extracts by each of the winners. The book was published privately and limited to 500 copies.

In response, The Taoiseach congratulated Claret Capital on its achievements. He noted the extent to which the Irish are now contributing to the US economy. He saluted the Fund for helping build the conditions for peace over three decades. He wished the Fund well as it mapped out its future role. The Taoiseach spent time mingling with the guests from as far away as the Pacific Coast and from Ireland. He received a very fond farewell and deep congratulations for a very successful 11 years as Irish leader.

Photos
1 - An Taoiseach, Loretta Brennan Glucksman; Chairman, The American Ireland Fund, Kieran McLoughlin; President, The American Ireland Fund
2 -
3 - An Taoiseach
4 - Loretta Brennan Glucksman, An Taoiseach
5 - Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Kieran McLoughlin, Kingsley Aikins; President, The Worldwide Ireland Funds

Info
Kieran McLoughlin
T - 212-689-3100
E - kmcloughlin@irlfunds.org