connect 2017 • 76 AROUND THE WORLD BOSTON March, 2017 The Boston Young Leaders hosted a record crowd of 600+ at their annual St. Patrick’s Celebration, their most-attended event of the year. Friends and supporters were welcomed to the Harborview Ballroom of the Sea- port World Trade Center. Overlooking Boston Harbor and appropriately up-lit in green, the room was filled with laughter, stories and even some dancing. In addition to their Irish-rooted selections, popular Boston-based Irish band Devri once again provided a variety of music, while guests enjoyed the perfectly- drawn pints of Guinness and hors d’oeuvres. The auction tables drew golfers, diners, sports fans, workout enthusiasts, hotel shoppers and even some bargain hunters, generating the last-minute revenue which established a new income record, no surprise given the leadership and enthusiasm of the St. Patrick’s Celebration Committee. In his remarks, St. Patrick’s Celebration Chairman Aengus McAllister of Synergy Investments thanked everyone, especially the Vice Chairmen: Terence Connell of Connell Limited Partnership, Ryan Con- nolly of Morgan Stanley and John Cronin of Blackstone as well as the event’s Committee members. Aengus applauded the grant-making efforts of The Ireland Funds across the island of Ireland for the impact on numerous Irish charities and causes. Next on the podium, The Ireland Funds’ New England Director and Vice President of Major Gifts Steve Greeley put the event in context by highlighting The Ireland Funds’ forty-year history of philanthropy and the importance of the Young Leaders to The Ireland Funds’ future. Boston Young Leaders St. Patrick’s Celebration 1 3 5 2 4 6 1 Aengus McAllister, Steve Greeley, Ryan Connolly, Terrence Connell 2 Ryan & Erica Chamberlain, Dante Ferrarie, Miceal Chamberlain 3 Perry Beal, Patrick Joyce, Cathleen Connors, Blake McLaughlin 4 Brittany Hampton, Emily & Jonny Beale 5 Matt Gaughan, Bethany Scalise 6 Nora Doherty, Steve Greeley, Jen Corcoran Photos: Mike Petrocelli