Toronto Luncheon : 11 March 2005

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The party only gets bigger and better with age! The 22 nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon held on Friday, March 11 th 2005 in Toronto was our largest to date with over 1350 guests celebrating Ireland’s national holiday. Through the generosity of our corporate sponsors: Pillar Sponsor: Diageo Canada “Guinness”, Blarney Sponsors: Bushmills Irish Whiskey, Mini Durham and Mini Downtown, Muskoka Woods Sports Resort, The Toronto Sun and Tourism Ireland and Irish Chieftain Sponsors: Arrow Hedge Partners Inc., Ballantry Homes, CIBC and Lick’s Homeburgers it was our most successful fund raiser to date in support of the “Bring a Kid to Camp in Canada 2005.” A special note of gratitude goes to the tireless efforts of our Chair, Mark Purdy and his wonderful committee of volunteers that make the Luncheon so tremendous.

Following a great start to the day with our traditional Irish “Guinness” Pub with local Irish musicians and the Guinness Pint Boys and Girls joining the fun, our Head Table dignitaries including The Honourable John N. Turner, Q.C. 17 th Prime Minister of Canada, Irish Ambassador Martin Burke, Irish Minister Eamonn O’Cuiv, British High Commissioner David Reddaway, Mayor Hazel McCallion, O.C., Acting Chief Mike Boyd, Toronto Councillor Olivia Chow, Miss World Canada Tijana Arnautovic, Walter Schauer, President BMW Canada Group, John Dunne, Patron and Robert Kearns, Past Chair of the Fund started the luncheon festivities led by our piper. Mark Dailey, Anchor for CityTV was kindly Master of Ceremonies for the event drawing on his own Irish roots and joined by our Irish radio personality Hugo Straney to help drive the bidding up and up for the hot Mini car lease generously sponsored by BMW Canada and their dealers. Irish Comedian, Kevin McAleer concluded the luncheon with his most dry Belfast wit that put all into a great mood for the concluding party that lasted until our bars closed at 5pm!

The Ireland Fund of Canada is most grateful to each guest attending for their continued support of our Luncheon and our fund raising efforts for the various projects in Ireland and Canada.