Tenor Anthony Kearns Performs at Friends of Ireland Lunch Today in D.C.

Related: Anthony Kearns, The Irish Tenors, Friends of Ireland

Tenor-Anthony-Kearns-Performs-at-Friends-of-Ireland-Lunch-Today-in-DC-20130319

Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns performed at the 2013 Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol today, March 19, 2013 as the guest of Speaker of the House John Boehner. Special guests included President Barack Obama, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny, as he makes his annual St. Patrick's Day visit to the United States, members of Congress, and dignitaries from Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The Luncheon was hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in conjunction with The Friends of Ireland Caucus, a bipartisan group led by Chairman Peter King (R-NY) and Vice-Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA). The annual event is a time-honored tradition started in 1981 by House Speaker Tip O'Neill, Senator Ted Kennedy, and President Ronald Reagan, who rose above politics to unite in their shared heritage and desire for peace.

"It's a great honor and privilege for me to sing at the invitation of Speaker Boehner before the President of the United States, the Taoiseach, Members of Congress, and other important guests during an event that symbolizes our mutual history, friendship and desire for peace," said Kearns, a founding member of The Irish Tenors. "I am proud to bring the music of Ireland to this distinguished audience."

"I'm grateful to the Speaker for inviting Mr. Kearns to sing at the Friends of Ireland celebration before such an esteemed audience.Music is a unifying force across all cultures.Thisis a rare and tremendous honor and one that we are very excited about,"said Kirsten Fedewa,Kearns' agent and publicist."Anthony Kearns is a superb ambassador of Ireland to the United States and the world, and he is particularly pleased to lend his voice to such an occasion."

Mr. Kearns was accompanied by Patrick Healy, an accomplished pianist who has performed with Kearns on many solo tours for over a decade.

The event marks a full circle for Mr. Kearns, a native of County Wexford, Ireland, whosaid he "cherishes the memory" of singingthe famous Irish ballad, "Danny Boy," with the late Senator Kennedy.

Page 2 >>