The Irish Arts Center celebrated with Spring Cocktails on 22 May, 2012 in New York City. Irish luminaries included Gabriel Byrne (of course), Liam Neeson, Glen Hansard, and Colum McCann. A visit to the Irish Arts Center website does not offer us much information about this event, but we are fortunate that World Irish  [As of September 8, 2016 this website is no longer available] provides the pictures below plus a report about the event, its purpose and scope.

 

Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, and Glen Hansard
Credit Photo: Erin Baiano

 World Irish reports:

Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne and Glen Hansard were just a few of the famous Irish faces who gathered in New York City last night to take part in the Irish Arts Center spring fundraiser. The event raised over $150,000 for the project, with brings the best of Irish arts to an international audience.

The benefit was held to provide funding for the Irish Arts Center of New York. The project was founded in 1972 and is an “arts and cultural center dedicated to projecting a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America for the 21st century, building community with artists and audiences of all backgrounds, forging and strengthening cross-cultural partnerships, and preserving the evolving stories and traditions of Irish culture for generations to come.”

Gabriel Byrne announced to the crowd that to date more than $24 million has been raised towards the building of a new Irish Arts Center, which is scheduled to open in 2016.

 

Colum McCann, Julie Feeney, and Gabriel Byrne

Two Friends

7 Comments

  1. Andrea Veloso

    Well, well, well, Gabriel seems beamed in the meeting and as always, lit the room with their presence. Other Irish personalities have also had their moment, but as always Gabriel stole the show with his charm and eloquence in addressing the important issues to the world of Irish art. I’m glad he’s okay and back to the scene.

    • Yes, Andrea. He does have that effect: lighting up the room! He’s just fine after some time filming in England–can’t wait to see “Coup” later this summer. Hopefully in the USA. :-)

      He is a supporter of the Irish arts, as the Cultural Ambassador and now as an Irish artist himself.

      And I love those glasses!

  2. It’s great to see that he continues to be a fervent supporter of the Irish arts.

    • He’s the former Cultural Ambassador for Ireland! I am sure he will always be a solid supporter of the Irish arts. He’s an Irish artist, after all. ;-)

  3. Kim Serrahn /Connell (@kimserrahn)

    Love Mr. B.. But why to they always put the girl in those silly hats.

  4. I love that Colum McCann seems to be wearing a name tag. We know who you are, Colum!! “Let The Great World Spin” is part of our vernacular now.

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