Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation Anam Cara Gala

The Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation warmly invites you to our signature event of the year, The Anam Cara (Soul Friend) Gala on

Saturday, November 8th, 2025

From the Emerald Isle to the Emerald City!

We are proud to honor three exceptional individuals this year as our Anam Cara Awardees: Dr. Ann B. Kelleher, winner of the Parson’s Medal for excellence in engineering from the Irish Academy of Engineering and former Executive Vice President at Intel Corporation; Attorney David Tierney, ICLF founding member, longtime ICLF donor, and Past Chair of the Irish American Cultural Institute; and our dear friend and former lead dancer in Riverdance, the late Darren Maguire of the Maguire Academy of Irish Dance. 

These individuals are selected for their significant contributions to the Irish community and Celtic culture. They join an illustrious list of previous awardees that include the late US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the late US Senator John McCain, former CEO of Intel Craig Barrett, Arizona Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwill and the late CEO of Shamrock Foods Norman McClelland.

The Gala night program includes:  an exquisite Taste of Ireland including a plated Surf & Turf dinner, premier Irish artists and entertainment,  fundraising opportunities to donate and/or win fabulous prizes, the honoring of our Anam Cara Awardees and a gathering of friends old and new.

 Please join us as we strive to ensure the legacy of Ireland is passionately lived & shared for generations to come.