The 21st American Celtic Ball - co-hosted by Ireland Chamber - United States and Co-operation Ireland was a truly historic evening. Maurice Buckley, President of ICCUSA, was pleased to join ICCUSA's Chairman, Al Smith, and ICCUSA's Dinner Chairs, John Cahill, Jim Clerkin, Ned Cloonan, Gary Litman, Bharat Masrani, John McConnell, Denis O'Brien, Mark Pigott, Richard Pino, John Sharkey, Sir Michael Smurfit, KBE, Mark H. Tuohey and Jim Turner, in a successful gala affair at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

The Honorees were greeted by a Ballroom filled with nearly 450 friends, family and business colleagues, all of whom joined in the celebration. The evening was unique since ICCUSA celebrated its 21st Annual event and adding to that distinction, the evening served as the first time that it was co-hosted with another organization, Co-operation Ireland, a 30 year old NGO focused on peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

ICCUSA's corporate Guests of Honor were:

•	Keynote & Sir Michael Smurfit Lifetime Achievement Award, Thomas J. Donohue, President & CEO, US Chamber of Commerce
•	William J. Ryan - Chairman of the Board, TDBank Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Award
•	Alfred M. Rankin, Jr. Chairman, President & CEO, NACCO Industries, Inc. Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Award
•	The Duchess of Abercorn, Patron, The Pushkin Trust Albert Schweitzer's Leadership for Life Humanitarian Award
•	Jim Rogers, Chairman, President/ CEO, Duke Energy Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Award

William Ryan with friends and family
 
 
 

In addition to highlighting the strong trans-Atlantic bonds between the USA and the island of Ireland, we were pleased to share the recent success of The ICCUSA Foundation's Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life program's inaugural youth leadership conference. The ASLFL International Youth leadership Conference, co-hosted by Foroige in Dublin during August 2009, welcomed 220 youths ages 15-17 from the US, Ireland, Nigeria, England, Northern Ireland and South Korea. These promising youths participated in 5 days of group workshops, lectures and team-building exercises designed to foster leadership skills. To learn more about the 2010 conference in Ireland visit www.aschweitzer.org.

The Ireland Chamber - United States, is a non-profit membership organization promoting the business interests of its members and the development of economic, commercial, financial and educational relationships between the United States and Ireland. To become a Member please visit www.iccusa.org.