connect 2017 • 70 AROUND THE WORLD NEW YORK March, 2017 The New York Young Leaders hosted their annual signa- ture fundraiser, The St. Patrick’s Celebration at Espace, which was attended by more than 600 friends and supporters of The Ireland Funds. As guests arrived, they were greeted by Delta Airlines ambassadors who “welcomed them on board” to the party. The guests were also greeted with Jameson signature cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. Honoree Colin Quinn arrived soon after and mingledwithsupporters.GuestsvisitedtheJamesontastingstationandbidonthe silent auction that included unique experiences like attending The Golden Trailer Awards in LA and safari trips to Africa. Co-Chair Patrick Bogues presented the first honoree of the evening giving the Dylan Smith Community Service Award and recognized that members of the Smith family were present including Dylan’s mother, Mary. Patrick then recognized the advocacy work of The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers of the United States and announced that the Board of Directors of The Ireland Funds America had approved a $100,000 gift to the Coalition to help them continue to provide important services to Irish immigrants in need around the country. Co-Chair Dan Flynn introduced the Irish Spirit Award Honoree, comedian/actor, Colin Quinn. Dan recognized Colin’s work over the years from MTV to Saturday Night Live to starring in Trainwreck and then Colin’s hit Netflix special, The New York Story. A live auction provided VIP tickets to see U2 in New York, provided by Sean Conner of Live Nation and a NY Giants VIP package provided by Giants two-time Super Bowl champion, David Diehl. David then joined in on the fun and helped sell the package. The auction concluded with, of course, a luxury trip to Ireland that including a stay at the Shelbourne, golf at The K Club and a stay at Sheen Falls Lodge in Kerry. Thank you to sponsors including: BWM, Blue Ocean Brokerage, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Tavern 29, Union Beer Distributors, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, B Floral and Bronwen Smith. New York Young Leaders St. Patrick’s Celebration 1 4 7 2 5 8 3 6 1 Dan Flynn, Colin Quinn, Patrick Bogues 2 The St. Patrick’s Celebration Committee 3 Dane Wright Band 4 Sheila Dwyer, Bernadette Harvey, Katilin O’Riley, Sinead Faughnan, Preeti Parhar 5 Brian O’Donnell, David Diehl, Kevin Blake, Mike Shea 6 Rob MacGoey, Sarah Rothchild, Naoise Farrell, Laura Brett, guest 7 Kelly Jones, Dan Howell and friends 8 Anthony Cullen, Patrick Bogues, Lori Bilker, Max Doyle Photos: Jim Higgins, Tony Patryn