Irish Blessings


In advance of all of the St. Patty’s Day celebrations, the American Ireland Fund hosted their annual Reception and Gala at the National Building Museum last Wednesday evening.
An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern served as Honorary Chair and Gerry Cassidy, Gala Chair. Kinglsey Aikins, President and CEO of The American Ireland Fund started the evening with a rousing account of the England vs. Ireland Cricket match in Croke Park, eagerly recounting how the Irish handily beat the English.
The purpose of the Fund, and the Gala evening, is to further underline the peace process: to bring Catholics and other Irish together in celebration and friendship. The room was awash in green.
Receiving the Fund’s Distinguished Leadership Award were Madam Speaker Pelosi, for her contributions to the advancement of women in society and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Bipartisan and bi-cameral.
To be sure, it was an evening of gaiety, Guinness and green. Here I am pictured with Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland and friend and Mr. Gerry Cassidy.