Thursday, June 18, 2009, New York, NY: Ireland’s Minister for Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources will be the Guest of Honor at the Council’s MidSummer Gala Concert & Dinner to be staged on Friday June 26, 2009 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin.

To Book Seats and Pay Online or for further information about the Gala Concert & Dinner log on to the Council’s website www.irelanduscouncil.com.

The dinner will be preceded by a special concert performance arranged by the Royal Irish Academy of Music, one of Ireland’s most respected musical establishments and cultural institutions. The Council is pleased to showcase the extraordinary musical talents of the Academy’s rising young stars and its wonderful Chamber Orchestra.

At the dinner, there will also be a formal presentation of the Award citation of the Council’s 2009 Award for Outstanding Portraiture to this year's winner, Mr. Jonathan Dalton. The Award is made in conjunction with the Irish Arts Review and the Royal Hibernian Academy as part of the Council’s program to support the arts and arts education in Ireland.

Minister Eamon Ryan was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2002. Prior to his appointment as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, he was the Green Party spokesperson for Transport and Enterprise, Trade & Employment and opposition convenor on the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources. Before he was elected to the Dáil he was in the tour operating business. He is married to the writer Victoria White and they have four children.

To Book Seats and Pay Online or for further information about the Gala Concert & Dinner log on to the Council’s website www.irelanduscouncil.com.