Whom You Know: AMERICAN IRELAND FUND 2009 NEW YORK GALA RAISES OVER $2.3 MILLION

Friday, May 8, 2009

AMERICAN IRELAND FUND 2009 NEW YORK GALA RAISES OVER $2.3 MILLION

AMERICAN IRELAND FUND 2009 NEW YORK GALA RAISES OVER $2.3 MILLION

1,200 guests honor Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Brian Cowen, and Jack Dunn and Dennis Shaughnessy of FTI Consulting

New York, May 8, 2009 – More than 1,200 guests gathered last evening at the American Ireland Fund’s 34th Annual New York Gala at the Tent at Lincoln Center to honor New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD, Prime Minister of Ireland, and FTI Consulting’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Jack Dunn, and Chairman, Dennis Shaughnessy. The fundraiser, the largest of the Fund’s 80 worldwide events, raised over $2.3 million in support of Irish-American and Irish philanthropic causes. Whom You Know is green today in honor of the American Ireland Fund and we endorse this cause. Peachy Deegan was so pleased to see, meet and speak with Mayor Bloomberg, who was an excellent speaker last night. He even taught us a new Irish word: "Bloomberg" is Irish for three terms!

At the event, Michael Bloomberg received the 2009 Humanitarian Award in recognition of his leadership as Mayor of New York City and for his philanthropic endeavors. Mayor Bloomberg has been a strong supporter of Northern Ireland’s drive to develop its economy and to bed-down the Peace Process.

Irish Foreign Minster Micheal Martin accepted the 2009 Heritage Award on behalf of An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD, Prime Minister of Ireland, who was honored for his dedication to strengthening the relationship between Ireland and America, the aid he has provided to the weaker members of the Irish Diaspora, and his role in the Peace Process.

In addition, the 2009 Leslie C. Quick Jr. Leadership Award was presented to Jack Dunn, President & Chief Executive Officer, and Dennis Shaughnessy, Chairman, of FTI Consulting, Inc. Under their leadership, FTI has become the leading global consulting firm to organizations confronting restructuring, investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues and reputation management challenges.

“The continuous dedication and support of our Irish-American and Irish patrons is what has made the 34th Annual Gala such a success. Despite the current economic crisis, we are delighted by the funds raised this year. This year’s Gala is among the most successful fundraising events in the US this year, and is a true testament to the strength and commitment of the Irish-American community,” commented Kieran McLoughlin, President of the American Ireland Fund. “We thank our 2009 honorees, Dinner Committee and loyal supporters for allowing us to continue our mission to fund programs promoting peace, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland.”

The Dinner Co-Chairs of the 2009 American Ireland Fund dinner are John G. Duffy, Chairman and CEO of KBW, Inc. and Michael P. Higgins, Managing Director, Head of Real Estate Finance, CIBC World Markets. The success of the Dinner was driven by a committee of 66 business and philanthropic leaders of whom 10 are based in Ireland.

About The Ireland Funds: The mission of The American Ireland Fund is to be the largest worldwide network of people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland dedicated to raising funds to support programs of Peace and Reconciliation, Arts and Culture, Education and Community Development throughout the island of Ireland. The Ireland Funds host more than 100 events in 40 cities attended by over 40,000 people. Since 1976, The Ireland Funds have raised over $300 million.

For additional information please go to www.irlfunds.org.

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
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Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

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Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/