Last night (Tuesday, March 12) The Ireland Funds’ Boston Young Leaders hosted an exuberant crowd of over 400 at their annual St. Patrick’s celebration at the Boston Harbor Hotel. The Ireland Funds was honored to welcome Ireland’s Leader (Prime Minister), The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar as a guest speaker on the night. Traveling with the Taoiseach was the Irish Ambassador to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason and the Consul General of Ireland in Boston, Sighle Fitzgerald. They received a very warm Boston Irish welcome. The St. Patrick’s Celebration Co-Chairs, John Flaherty, Sean Hannigan and Colleen Kelly presented the Taoiseach with a Boston keepsake, a coveted signed Boston Bruins Jersey. A party with a purpose, this gathering contributes to the vital work of The Ireland Funds, as they continue their mission of increasing access to education, nourishing Irish arts and culture, and strengthening the ties that bring communities closer together and advancing peace and reconciliation. In 2023 thanks to donors and events like this one The Ireland Funds made over 1,100 grants to support the work of more than 340 organizations with over $22 million of support across the island of Ireland. The night was a festive one, with local Irish band Devri playing up a storm. The room was filled with much laughter and feeling of goodwill. It was the place to be to kick off St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Boston.

All photos by Bill Brett