On Thursday, March 12th, over 600 friends and supporters joined the New York Young Leaders at their annual St. Patrick’s Celebration in the stunning Cipriani space at 25 Broadway.
As guests arrived, they were greeted with a welcome cocktail by presenting sponsor Jameson Irish Whiskey and the smooth sounds of the Xavier High School Blue Night Jazz Band who set the atmosphere with a perfect medley of classics and modern cocktail jazz.
While guests mingled and perused the silent auction offerings, National Director of the Young Leaders Pat Tully welcomed the guests and introduced our main act for the night, MUNDY.
MUNDY took the stage and immediately got the crowd singing and dancing to his own classics and some crowd favorite Irish tunes.
After Mundy’s first set, Pat Tully began the program, thanked the Co-Chairs and committee and updated the supporters on the progress of the Promising Ireland Campaign and the success of the Young Leaders 4th annual Summit in January.
Pat then welcomed event Co-Chair Kelly Jones to the podium to introduce our first honoree of The Dylan Smith Community Service Award, Pat Quinn. Kelly highlighted the success of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge that Pat Co-Created with Pete Frates in Boston and has since raised over $220,000,000 for ALS research. Pat, who himself is bravely fighting ALS, walked to the podium, escorted by his wife Jennifer. Pat spoke about the phenomenon of the Ice Bucket Challenge and thanked all of those in the audience, who participated and donated to the fight against ALS. He acknowledged that the work is not done and vowed to continue the fight.
Our next speaker was event Co-Chair Suzanne Denihan who introduced our second Dylan Smith Community Service honorees, the Tevlin Family. Suzanne spoke about the tragedy of Brendan Tevlin’s murder and then the family’s incredible response in turning tragedy into triumph, by celebrating his young, yet full life and his ‘’good vibes, easy living” philosophy.
The Tevlin Family was represented by Brendan’s 18 year old sister, Michaela, who bravely took to the podium and addressed the sea of supporters and spoke about her brother’s legacy and the campaign the family has started at Seton Hall to have the athletic field where Brendan played lacrosse at Seton Hall Prep, renamed in his honor.
Although a tough act to follow, event Co-Chair, Patrick Farrell stepped to the podium to introduce our Jameson Irish Spirit Award honoree Dean Winters, star of the CBS hit cop ‘dramedy’ Battle Creek. Pat spoke about Dean’s long career from HBO’s OZ, to his iconic Allstate campaign where he is the personification of the word “mayhem.” Dean took to the podium and after accepting his Waterford Irish Crystal bowl; he cracked “I wasn’t sure if I was deserving of this award, but then I thought, what’s St. Patrick’s Day without a little mayhem?”
Pat Tully then led a spirited live auction which included ringside seats to Limerick’s own Andy Lee’s championship defense fight at The Barclays Center. Pat was joined by Heather “The Heat” Hardy, who is undefeated and will also be fighting on the card and defending a title of her own. Heather noted that she would be the first female to professionally fight at the Barclays Center. The auction also included VIP Passes to the premiere of Starz Network’s Outlander, VIP passes to the “Rugby 7’s” tournament in Las Vegas, a Mediterranean Yacht Cruise, a Hamptons Columbus Day weekend getaway and a NYC Experience package that included VIP tickets to Watch What Happens Live on Bravo, a Don O’Neill THEIA cocktail dress and chauffeured service by Farrell Limousine to the Irish Arts Center Spring Cocktails with Liam Neeson.
After the auction, MUNDY played a triumphant second set including his signature cover of “The Galway Girl.” The dancing continued when DJ Johnny Katch took over the party’s last hour. Guests then went to Route 66 Smokehouse for the after party, sponsored by our friend Ronan Downs.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Jameson Irish Whiskey, Blue Ocean Brokerage, Farrell Limousine, Aer Lingus, McGargles Irish Brewery and Permal.
Also special thanks to our honorees and our supporters who made last night a success.
