San Diego 25th Annual Gala and Auction : 3.08.08

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More than 500 supporters gathered on March 8, 2008 at The Manchester Grand Hyatt to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The American Ireland Fund in San Diego. The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction, highlighted by the music of The In Case Trio. The popular group, which has been playing for American Ireland Fund events for 25 years, includes Mike Reidy and brothers Noel and Bill Hall. Pipers and drummers led the crowd to their seats in the ballroom where Chairmen John Clark and Bob Sexton welcomed the audience and thanked those patrons who had donated tables for Marines recovering from wounds and San Diego firefighters.

During the dinner, Michael W. Murphy, CEO of Sharp HealthCare, was presented with The Heritage Award. Lawyer and retired Marine Corps Brigadier General Michael I. Neil, was honored with the Robert A.MacNamara Literary & Arts Award. A special service award was presented to Gail King by National Board member Dan Mulvihill for her many years of committee work in support of the Gala. A special tribute was paid to twelve other past honorees who attended the Gala.

Entertainment was provided by The Three Irish Tenors, Ciaran Nagle, Tony Norton and Simon Morgan from Dublin, who, to everyone’s delight, strolled through the audience serenading some of the patrons.

After a spirited live auction, guests danced until midnight to the music of Rockola. The traditional after-hours sing-along, presided over by The In Case Trio, put the finishing touch on the event.

Photos

1 - Marine Corps Color Guard
2 - Silent Auction
3 - Laura Lewis, Judge Jerry Lewis
4 - Steve Cushman, Marge Cushman, Sandy & Mike Murphy
5 - Papa Doug, Betsy Manchester, Mike Neil
6 - Leo Sullivan, Cate Sullivan, Eileen Sullivan
7 - Bob Watkins, Steve Francis
8 - Tables
9 - Mike Reidy, Mom Reidy, Noel Hall
10 - Betsy Manchester and Heritage Award honoree Michael W. Murphy
11 - San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes and Drums
12 - Michael I. Neil, Robert  A. MacNamara Literary and Arts Award recipient
13 - Bill & Lynelle Lynch
14 - Chairman Bob Sexton, Betsy Manchester, Marianne McDonald, Chairman John Clark
15 - Irish Tenor Ciaran Nagle, John Lynch
16 - Nicky Johnson, Julie Mayer
17 - Brian Monaghan, John Lynch, Daniel Mulvihill
18 - Roger & Gail King