John and Sylvia Tillotson. Photo courtesy of The Ireland Funds

As St. Patrick’s Day looms closer, The Ireland Funds Texas will go big and celebrate the Irish holiday during the Texas Emerald Ball on Saturday, March 18.

The Ireland Funds, a global philanthropic network of Irish friends and communities, will raise funds for nonprofits in the Emerald Isles. Preston Hollow couple Sylvia and John Tillotson will be the honorees for the evening.

Entertainment for the evening will come from Irish singer and songwriter Chloe Agnew, who is the youngest original member of the musical group Celtic Woman, and Maguire Academy of Irish Dance.

There will also be several other notable guests in attendance, including the following:

Sean Donohue, Chief Executive Officer, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, recipient of its 2023 Distinguished Leadership Business Leader Award.

Gary Kelly, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, Southwest Airlines. He will present Donohue with his award. Kelly received The Ireland Funds’ 2020 Philanthropic Leadership Award.

Sylvia and John Tillotson as Corboy Anam Cara honorees, “Anam Cara” means “soul friend” in Gaelic.

Mary Lee and Fritz Duda, community leaders and Texas Emerald Ball’s honorary co-chairs

Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne, T.D., Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Most Reverend Greg Kelly, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas

Meg Finley, The Ireland Funds’ Vice president of Development

Thomas W. Codd, Kevin M. Curley and Dolores L. McCall, The Ireland Funds Texas Board Members

The cocktail reception for the ball will start at 6 p.m. and will be followed by the dinner and program at 7 p.m. at The Adolphus Hotel in Downtown.

More details about the 2023 Ireland Funds Texas Emerald Ball can be found here.