Dublin – May 2004. Anthony Bailey, Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland hosted a Gala Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin in honour of Grand Prior, Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the British & Irish Delegation.
Among those attending were the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, HE Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Ireland, HE Signor Alberto Schepisi, the Australian Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See, HE Dr John Herron and the Lieutenant of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Ireland, HE Mr M. Joseph McDonnell.
Many Irish knights and dames of both the Constantinian Order and the Royal Order of Francis I attended including: Mrs John Herron, Senator and Mrs Donal Lydon, the Rt Rev Raymond Field, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Mr Patrick Clyne, Professor and Mrs Richard Conroy, Mr and Mrs Donal Downes, Mr Gerard M Lawler Scott and Katherine MacMillan of Rathdown, Mr Brian Melia, Mr John McGrath, Mr John Turley, Mr Joseph O’Connor, Mr Nicola Parascandolo, Mr Sean Kevin Cunnane, Mr Patrick Esmonde White, Cyril and Lorna Woods of Slane, Mr John Graeme Igoe, Sister Ellen Flynn, Mrs Eiblin Byrne, Mr Patrick Doherty, The Rev Father Eugene Curran, CM, Mrs Bernie Laverty and Mrs Bridie Cotter.
During the evening welcome speeches were made by Delegate Anthony Bailey and Vice-Delegate and Chancellor Senator Donal Lydon. In addition senior representatives of charitable bodies supported by the Delegation spoke, including Sister Ellen Flynn of The Passage Homeless Centre and DePaul Trust of Ireland, Mrs Bernie Laverty of the Forthspring Community Centre in Belfast, Mr Mark Hamilton of Citywise and Mr Gerard Lawler of the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital.