The 19th American Celtic Ball of the Ireland Chamber - United States was a truly historic evening. For the first time in Irish history, Northern Ireland's political leaders attended an event together and spoke on the same stage on US soil.

Beginning with the national anthems of the US, Ireland and England, this professional event was surprisingly emotional. The keynote speaker Senator George Mitchell, whose dedication and hard work over many years made the new government of Northern Ireland possible received the Ireland Chamber's lifetime achievement award and made a very personal speech that received multiple standing ovations.

Further speeches were then conducted by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Minister for Arts, Culture & Leisure, Edwin Poots (who was there as a representative for First Minister Dr. Ian Paisley) and Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment & Learning.

The later part of the evening was dedicated to the presentation of further awards with the Ireland Chamber's Michael Smurfit Achievement Awards going to Neville Isdell (Chairman & CEO - The Coca-Cola Co., and also the first recipient of the award to come from Northern Ireland), Jack Butler (Partner - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom), Joe Loughrey (President & CEO - Cummins Inc) and actor Matt McCoy.