connect 2017 • 94 AROUND THE WORLD DUBLIN 1 2 5 6 4 7 8 3 1 John, Niamh, Deirdre, Seána and Amy Kerslake 2 Gerard Ryan, Howard Kim, Oisin Kim, David Matthews 3 Charlie Cullen, Deirdre O’Sullivan 4 Daniela Bills-Everett , Seána Kerslake 5 The Coveney family 6 Fintan McGovern, Barry Crushell, Francesca Shields, Catherine Hughes, Daniela Bills-Everett, Dareth Newton, Katherine Duhas, Siobhán Gallagher, Paul McClatchie 7 Patrick Coveney, Kieran McLoughlin, Seána Kerslake 8 Emma Coveney, Patrick Coveney, Georgia Coveney May, 2017 The Ireland Funds Annual Spring Gala was held in Dublin’s InterContinental Hotel in Ballsbridge. Guests were welcomed with flutes of pink champagne and invited to take pictures at the spring flower wall. From the reception, guests moved to the elegant ballroom and were invited to take part in the Diamond Draw kindly sponsored by Cullen & Co Jewellers. Siobhán Gallagher, Director of the Young Leaders, The Ireland Funds welcomed honoree, Patrick Coveney, CEO Gre- encore Group plc., and Rising Star Awardee Seána Kerslake, and began the evening by showing a video highlighting the superb organisations supported by The Ireland Funds. Kieran McLoughlin Worldwide President & CEO of The Ireland Funds, wel- comed guests and spoke of honoree Patrick Coveney’s many successes as a leader, businessman and Cork man! He then presented Patrick with the Outstanding Con- tribution to Business Award. Patrick who was in attendance with his wife, daughter, mother and siblings, accepted the award, thanked his family for their tremendous sup- port, and spoke about the unique and impactful history of The Ireland Funds. Daniela Bills-Everett, Chair of the Gala committee, introduced the Rising Star awardee, Seána Kerslake. She spoke about Seána’s remarkable career to date, and the bright future that lay ahead. Seána accepted the award, and said she was hopeful for her future career, and would always remain within the family of The Ireland Funds. Seána then picked the lucky winner of the Diamond Draw. For the remainder of the evening, guests rapidly took part in the online auction, and danced the night away with tunes from DJ Kelly-Anne Byrne. A special thank you to all who attended and to our event partners, Eversheds Sutherland, Cullen & Co Jewellers, Coca-Cola, and IG. The Ireland Funds Spring Gala Photos: Dee Organ, Mark Stedman