Christmas for Grown-Ups

Did you hear the one about Christmas for grown ups? If you were at Bobby Van’s Grill on New York Avenue in Washington, DC on Saturday night you did. “It’s only six months away,” said Michael Lonergan, Deputy Chief of Mission at The Embassy of Ireland, referring to the ‘Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day’ Celebration, “and you have no idea how much excitement and anticipation there is in the Irish Embassy.”

The ‘tongue in cheek’ occasion provided an opportunity to honor Patrick Murray who received the inaugural Patriot Award for his heroism serving in the United States Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was injured in battle and now he assists recovering Marines at The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; and Michael Kelly who is currently nominated for a primetime Emmy award for his role as White House Chief of Staff Doug Stamper in the hit Netflix show House of Cards with The Irish Spirit Award. The event raised money to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland.