The Emerald Isle Shines in Washington
By • March 21, 2024 0 296
Always in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the Ireland Funds hosted its 32nd National Gala on March 13. An annual prestigious event that traditionally takes place at the National Building Museum, the gala featured remarks from the evening’s honorees: Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Penn.). Kelly shared that “Ireland and America have switched public opinion roles, and here in the United States, we need to follow the Irish example of all getting along.”
A special tribute to the late Paul Quinn, who was instrumental in launching the first of these auspicious gatherings that attract Irish Americans, friends of Ireland and Irish dignitaries.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (who announced his resignation this week) added an extra special touch, the Prime Minister of Ireland, who spoke at the event during his St. Patrick’s Day visit to the United States. He acknowledged the gala’s longstanding the tradition of celebrating Irishness in Washington, D.C., turning St. Patrick’s Day into an entire week of events, meetings, and celebrations.
