2006 Emerald Isle Dinner Dance
Thursday February 16, 2006 at The Breakers, Palm Beach

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The American Ireland Fund Palm Beach held its 16th annual black-tie gala, the Emerald Isle Dinner Dance on February 16, 2006 at The Breakers, and drew more than 400 friends and supporters.

Serving as Dinner Co-chairmen for the Emerald Isle Dinner Dance 2006 were Lee Bierly and Chris Drake, Lesley (King) and Bart Grenier, Alyce and Bob Morrisey, and Bob Crowe. The Honorary Co-Chairmen, also AIF board members, were Lore Moran Dodge, Michele and Howard Kessler and Thomas C. Quick.

The Worldwide Ireland Funds president and CEO Kinglsey Aikins welcomed the guests and introduced special guest The Honorable James Casey Kenney, United States Ambassador to Ireland. AIF Board Member Jack O’Connor presented this year’s honorees, Jim and Barbara Cleary, a gift of appreciation from the fund. For more than 20 years, The Clearys have been steadfast champions of The Fund, and through their active involvement in the Palm Beach and Boston dinners, they have helped AIF with its efforts in those cities and have worked to promote its mission.

Entertainment was provided by Powerhouse, and Christie’s auctioneer, Paul Provost conducted the live auction that featured a golf trip to Ireland and original oil paintings by acclaimed Irish artist Hugh O’Neill, who has donated an original work to the AIF auction every year. O’Neill was featured in the “Top100 Irish Americans’’ edition of the award-winning national magazine, Irish America.

Assistance Dogs
This year, New Horizons Service Dogs, an organization based in Orange City, FL that trains, certifies and places service dogs, assisted AIF in raising funds for Assistance Dogs for Families of Children with Autism in Ireland. Montgomery, a service dog trained by New Horizons belonging to West Palm Beach resident, Lisa Knapp, worked the generous crowd with Dinner Co-chairmen Bierly and Drake. AIF raised enough money to train and bring into placement five assistance dogs to families with autistic children in Ireland.

Assistance Dogs for Families of Children with Autism >

The American Ireland Fund Palm Beach also supports the Palm Beach community and makes an annual donation from the Dinner Dance proceeds to a local charity. This year donations will be made to Opportunity, Inc. and The Glades Academy Charter School.

Honoring
Barbara and Jim Cleary

Special Guest
The Honorable James Casey Kenny
United States Ambassador to Ireland

Co-Chairs
Chris Drake and Lee Bierly
Lesley and Bart Grenier
Alyce and Bob Morrissey
Bob Crowe

2006 Honorees
Barbara and Jim Cleary
The American Ireland Fund is pleased to pay tribute and honor the commitment to two long time friends of the Fund, Barbara and Jim Cleary. For over 20 years, the Clearys' commitment to the Fund has been unwavering. Through their active involvement in the Palm Beach and Boston dinners, they have helped us with our efforts in those cities and have worked hard to promote our work. Jim has served on the Board of Directors of the Fund and is currently a Life Trustee.

The Clearys are dedicated to improving the lives of others through their involvement with numerous philanthropic and community organizations such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston College, the Inner City Scholarship Fund in NY and the American Cancer Society among others. The American Ireland Fund is honored to count the Clearys among its roster of friends dedicated to raising funds for worthy causes throughout the entire island of Ireland.

Florida Directors& Honorary Life Trustees
John Brogan
Brian Burns
Christopher M. “Kip” Condron
Lore Moran Dodge
James F. Higgins
Michele Kessler
Sheila O’Malley
Thomas C. Quick
Patrick J. Rooney