Oct 30, 2004 : 25th ANNIVERSARY EMERALD BALL, TORONTO

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It was the night before Halloween, the traditional Celtic holiday, with three ghosties handing out Barn Brack lucky charms by a thatched cottage in an elegant reception decorated with Celtic Jack-O-Lanterns, harvest flowers in celebration of the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Emerald Ball in Toronto. Under the visionary leadership of Susan Storey, Chair and the dedicated committee and volunteers, each guest enjoyed a spectacular evening that closed with the Brendan O’Brien and The Dixies Band doing “Little Arrows”, The Hucklebuck and all the favourites of the Showband Era.

The Ireland Fund of Canada was delighted to have Malachy McCourt as the special guest who gave a rousing talk on variety of topics and closed with the call for song from all “Go Lassie Go”! Joining the guests that evening were His Excellency Martin Burke, Ambassador of Ireland and his wife, Mary Burke, British High Commissioner, David Reddaway, British Consul General, Geoffrey Berg and his wife, Sheila Berg, The Honourable William C. Graham, Minister of Defence and his wife, Catherine Graham (Past Fund Chair), The Lord Mayor of Lisburn, Cecil Calvert, and the talented Irish Canadian musician, Lorenna McKennitt. The Fund dedicated the event to the outstanding work of all the Past Chairs of the Fund and its volunteer Board members and committees, there was a fitting tribute paid to our Past Chairs: Hilary M. Weston, Gerald Sweeney, Edward J. McConnell, Colum P. Bastable, Robert G. Kearns, Catherine Graham, and Thomas Savage.

The success of the evening was due to the tremendous support and generosity of our corporate sponsors, CIBC World Markets, Shorcan Brokers Ltd., CIBC, Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, Tourism Ireland and The Toronto Sun and the continued support of our Pillar Sponsors, Diageo Canada and Waterford Wedgwood Canada.

The Ireland Fund of Canada’s Emerald Ball was the culmination of a great year of parties, events and new programmes to celebrate the accomplishment of 25 years of raising awareness and funds for projects in Ireland and Canada – Congratulations to everyone who participated, donated and volunteered, our heartfelt gratitude to each of you!