The Irish American Partnership hosted more than 50 guests and supporters for our inaugural Business & Philanthropy Networking Reception, held at the Officers Club in Hartford.

Its first-ever Hartford networking event on Wednesday, February 21 raised awareness for a tenet of the Partnership’s core mission – to support young people facing educational disadvantage in Ireland. The evening raised support for the newly created Connecticut-Irish Schools Support Program. 100% of funds raised as part of this initiative will be directly disbursed in impactful grants to Irish schools in need of resources.

At the event, Director of Development Nicholas Michael announced the first grant to a school under the Program, with a $5,000 gift to the Lisnamrock National School in Co. Tipperary. Lisnamrock is a small elementary school supporting 65 students, in need of classroom learning supports and resources – typical of the rural schools supported by the Partnership across the island of Ireland.

The evening was hosted by Nicholas Michael, and featured remarks from special guests from the Connecticut General Assembly including:

• Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore, Senator Martin M. Looney

• Connecticut Senate Majority Leader, Senator Bob Duff

• Connecticut Senator Kevin Kelly

• Connecticut House Representative and National Chair of the Council of State Governments, Kevin Ryan