The Ireland Fund of France WildGeese Gala Dinner Paris : 2006

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Thanks to the gracious hospitality of the Irish Ambassador Ann Anderson, the 2006 WildGeese Gala Dinner of the Ireland Fund of France was held, on the eve of the France-Ireland Six Nations Rugby International, in the prestigious surroundings of the Irish Embassy. Situated on the Avenue Foch, one of the two or three most famous thoroughfares of the French capital, the venue provided an elegant backdrop for the occasion.

Among the hundred personalities or so attending this major Franco-Irish event were people from every walk of life, including prominent industrialists of both countries, writers, leaders of opinion and several Irish and French Ministers eager to show their support for the aims of the Ireland Fund of France, which consists of strengthening the historical relationship between the two countries.

The Irish Ambassador, Ann Anderson, delivered a witty speech to welcome the guests of the Ireland Fund of France on the eve of the very popular rugby match between France and Ireland. In reply, Chairman of the Ireland Fund of France, Pierre Joannon, paid tribute to the Ambassador's enthusiastic support of the Fund's various projects and initiatives. He added that whilst the level of support in France for the Irish people is enormous, it requires focus and direction to achieve it's full potential; in this regard, he said "I have no doubt that with the commitment and continued help help of those present, this focus and direction will be found in abundance'.

Understandably, the WildGeese Gala Dinner held in the Embassy could not be a fundraising dinner; it was a glamorous statement of the goals laid out by the Ireland Fund of France.

The Ambassador and the board members of the Ireland Fund of France were joined by such guests as Mrs Christine Lagarde, French Minister for State of Trade; Mrs Catherine Colonna, French Minister of State for European Affairs; Mr Tom Kitt, Irish Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach; Mr Brendan Smith, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food; Frédéric Grasset, French Ambassador in Ireland; Patrick O'Connor, Former Irish Ambassador to Portugal; Gavin O'Reilly, CEO of The Independent & News Media, representing Sir Anthony O'Reilly, international chairman of The Ireland Funds; Mr Richard Burrows, Governor of the Bank of Ireland; Kingsley Aikins, representing The American Ireland Fund which supported the dinner; Mr Mark Cunningham, Managing Director of the Bank of Ireland; Mr François van den Bosch, General Manager of BNP Paribas; Mr Mark Davy of Davy Stockbrokers; Mr Philippe Savinel, President of Ricard S.A.; Anthony and Liliane Barton; Mr Tom Gallagher and Mr. Kevin Kelly.

Since 1989, The Ireland Fund of France has supported a wide range of cultural, aducational and charitable projects in France and Ireland. It operates several high profile scholarship programmes generously endowed by Lady Chryss O'Reilly, John Magnier, The Institut Servier and Larry Powell.

It provides continued assistance to the Franco-Irish Writers Festival which takes place every year in Dublin Castle and supports the charitable campaign if the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund.

Photo Index

1. Irish Ambassador Ann Anderson
2. Catherine Colonna, French Minister of State for European Affairs; Mr Tom Kitt, Irish Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach; Mrs Christine Lagarde, French Minister for State of Trade; Mr Brendan Smith, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food
3. Thierry Lacroix and Friend
4. Laurence and Yann Joannon
5. Pierre Joannon, Chairman of The Ireland Fund of France; Liliane and Anthony Barton
6. Kingsley Aikins and Tom Gallagher
7. Pierre Joannon, Chairman of The Ireland Fund of France
8. Annick Joannon with François and Mrs van den Bosch
9. Minister of State Christine Lagarde, Ambassador Ann Anderson and Minister of State Brendan Smith
10. French Ambassador Frédéric Grasset and Annick Joannon
11. Overview of the dining room
12. Lara Marlowe
13. Kevin Kelly and Friend
14. Gavin O'Reilly and Yann Joannon
15. Ambassador Patrick O'Connor
16. Marie-Blanche Sirven-Vienot and Former French Minister Noelle Lenoir
17. Patricia O'Connor