Saturday November 8, 2025
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.
✨ Cocktail Reception | 6:00 PM
✨ Dinner & Gala Program | 7:00 PM
From the Emerald Isle to the Emerald City!
The night will feature:
A taste of Ireland with exquisite food & drink
Irish music and dance performances
A vibrant celebration of heritage and community
Exciting fundraising opportunities to support our mission:
Bringing Irish heritage to life through education, culture, and community.
🎟️ Tickets
General Admission – $250
VIP Experience – $500
✨ Attire: Dress to impress in your finest formal Emerald-inspired attire (event will be outdoors)
Your presence at the Anam Cara Gala directly supports the mission of the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library, enriching lives through dynamic cultural programs, arts, and education while safeguarding the legacy of our beloved Center for future generations.
We look forward to welcoming you to an evening of elegance, celebration, and friendship.
Tickets
General Admission – $250
VIP Experience – $500
Ticket sales close November 1st at 11:55 PM.
All guests will be confirmed via guest list; no physical tickets provided.
No refunds will be given under any circumstance.
After you purchase a ticket, communications will be via email or text coming from an email ending in @aesauction.com. Please check your spam.
See 2024 photo album
Introducing our 2025 Anam Cara Awardees
Dr. Ann B. Kelleher
Prior to her retirement from Intel in summer of 2025, Dr. Ann B. Kelleher was executive vice president at Intel Corporation where she served as a strategic adviser for Intel Foundry and its differentiated technology development offerings. Before this role, Kelleher was general manager of Foundry Technology Development, where she oversaw the research, development and deployment of next-generation silicon logic, packaging and test technologies that power the future of Intel’s innovation. This included executing an ambitious strategy to help Intel accelerate its silicon process development. Before that, she served as general manager of Manufacturing and Operations, where she oversaw Intel’s worldwide manufacturing.
Kelleher joined Intel in 1996 as a process engineer, going on to manage technology transfers and factory ramp-ups in a variety of positions and factories spanning Ireland and the USA. She started her manufacturing leadership journey as the factory manager of Fab 24 in Leixlip, Ireland. She then moved to Ocotillo, Arizona, to manage Intel’s Fab 12 facility, followed by serving as the site manager of Intel’s Fab 11X fabrication facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She then became general manager of the Fab Sort Manufacturing organization, where she was responsible for all aspects of Intel’s high-volume silicon manufacturing. Across her tenure at Intel and during her career prior to Intel, Ann was a strong advocate for the progression of Ireland Technology growth and capabilities. In addition, Ann has a passion for mentoring junior engineers and has sponsored many diverse employees in the Semiconductor Industry during their careers.
Kelleher holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, all from University College Cork in Ireland and did her post-doc in IMEC in Belgium. Ann has won many engineering accolades during her career culminating in late 2024 by being named as the Global Semiconductor Alliance’s Dr. Lisa Su Woman of Innovation Award as well as winning the Parson’s Medal for excellence in engineering from the Irish Academy of Engineering.
David Tierney
David C. Tierney is a litigator practicing primarily in Commercial Construction Law, as well as a mediator / arbitrator. He has been a partner in the Phoenix firm of Sacks Tierney P.A. since 1974. Mr. Tierney received his B.A. degree from Brandeis University and his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School in 1965. He was Clerk to Justice Reardon, Massachusetts Supreme Court; a Peace Corps volunteer (still fluent in Spanish); and former chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Computers in Education. Mr. Tierney is the past Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Risk Management (self-insurance for Maricopa County); a founder of the Horace Rumpole Inn of Court; a past Chairman of the State Bar Construction Law Section; one of two editors of the Practice Manual for the State Bar Construction Law Section and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section; the Chairman of the Restorative Justice Resources Council, Inc.; and the Chairman of the Arizona Coalition for Tomorrow (a Head Start related entity).
In 1987, with several others, Tierney formed the steering committee leading to the construction of the Irish Cultural Center. The Irish Hunger Memorial was designed in Tierney’s living room. From 1988-2006, he was the head of the Irish American Cultural Institute. In October 1998, he received the “Hon Kachina” Award for volunteer service to the Community. In September 2003, the National Association of Probation Executives presented the William Faches Award to Mr. Tierney. Mr. Tierney is a former Adjunct Professor at ASU Law School teaching Construction Law and is a Life Member of the American Bar Association Fellows. From 2005 to the present, he has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America listings for Construction Law, Civil Litigation, and Mediation/Arbitration services.
Since 2006, he has been listed as a Top Commercial Litigator in the American Lawyer Magazine list of Top Litigators. Since 2006, he has been listed as one of the top 50 lawyers in Arizona by Arizona Magazine. In March, 2011, he was awarded the Judge Learned Hand Award for service to the community. In March 2016, he was Man of the Year in Phoenix (Valley Leadership).
For the last decade, he has been mediating disputes and arbitrating (AAA Complex Case and Construction Case panels). Mr. Tierney has chaired and presented at numerous all-day continuing legal education programs for the Arizona State Bar and for the American Arbitration Association on such topics as Ethics, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act, Construction Bidding Process, and Contractual Requirements on Governmental and Private Jobs.
Darren Maguire, was a beloved Irish step dance teacher and adjudicator. Darren was renowned for his extraordinary talent, unwavering dedication, and warm spirit.
Darren’s life was dedicated to Irish Dance, a journey that began at the tender age of three when he competed in his first feis in Whitechapel, East London. By seven, he had already competed at his first World Championships, where he placed an impressive seventh. Over the years, Darren collected numerous titles, including five All England Championships, four Great Britains, and the North American Nationals. By the time he retired from competition at 18, he had more than 400 wins under his belt.
A proud member of one of Irish Dance’s most famous families, Darren grew up immersed in the art form. He was deeply connected to the Maguire O’Shea Academy in London, which his parents and sister run, and he later brought that legacy to the United States. Darren founded the Maguire Academy of Irish Dance, establishing branches in Tucson and Dallas. The academy thrived under his leadership, producing championship dancers and fostering a family-like atmosphere. As one dancer, Bella Bravin, expressed, “Darren made Maguire Academy a family… and guaranteed I would always be part of it.”
Darren’s illustrious career extended beyond competition. He spent 13 years with Riverdance, performing as the fifth-ever male lead, a role he held for four years. After stepping off the touring stage, Darren became a sought-after adjudicator, bringing his deep knowledge of dance and his belief in self-confidence to every competition he judged. In a 2013 interview with Irish Dancing Magazine, he shared, “If you can’t convince a judge that you have 100% faith in yourself, why would they?” His guidance resonated deeply with his students, helping them succeed not only in competitions but also in life.
Darren’s influence extended far beyond dance studios and competition stages. His dedication, humor, and generosity left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Dance teacher Declan McHale captured Darren’s essence perfectly: “He had an incredible ability to make everyone feel seen, valued, and understood… lifting others up and making them feel like they mattered.”
Darren Maguire (posthumously)
