There are parties, and then there are parties the American Ireland Fund's 32nd annual gala last Thursday evening at the fabulous Park Avenue Armory in New York definitely qualifies for the extra special emphasis, as more than 1,500 guests from the worlds of entertainment, business, politics and every other walk of life would undoubtedly agree.

In no particular order, guests were treated to a live performance from cast members of the Broadway musical The Pirate Queen, a speech by Irish President Mary McAleese, entertainment from the Irish Cross Border Orchestra and, last but most certainly not least, homespun words from one of the world's most beloved actors and philanthropists, Paul Newman, who accepted a check from the AIF for $1 million for his Barretstown Gang Camp in Co. Kildare for seriously ill children.

Newman, 82 years young and every bit as cool as he was in films such as The Hustler and The Sting, stood out in the crowd for many reasons - including his black tie-less suit. He made it clear that such formality isn't his thing.

"For my 70th birthday I had a big fire in my driveway and burnt my tuxedo. It was one of the crowning achievements of my life," he said during remarks in which he accepted a check from the AIF.

Newman, who runs several Hole in the Wall camps for children in the U.S., all funded through his Newman's Own brand of food items such as salsas and dressings, said Ireland was the first overseas venture for his charity.

"We went to Ireland and saw this extraordinary facility," Newman said of Barretstown, a lush castle and grounds in Co. Kildare. "And the Irish government gave it to us for 1 for a 20 year lease. Now with the depreciation of the dollar, I don't know if that was such a good deal!" he joked.

The Irish, he added, opened their hearts and their wallets to provide a safe and fun haven for the sick kids and their families from all over the world. "I can only tell you when you've been there, and to have a parent come up to you and say, 'Thank you, this is what my children live for,' it's really something."

The AIF raised a record $4.15 million at the dinner, which is an amazing achievement and must rank right up there with the most successful fundraising dinners ever held in New York City, for any group. The honoree, Martin Sullivan, president and CEO of the AIG group, clearly brought the heavy hitters out.

The funds raised will also go towards the building of a new school, Rowallane Integrated High School in Co. Down, which will educate both Catholics and Protestants.