According to legend, St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. Today, his name is synonymous with chasing away the winter blues with an influx of ample, green and strong libations. Taking full advantage of that formula Saturday night, The American Ireland Fund transformed Heinz Field's East Club Lounge into a verdant Irish pub for the annual dinner. Representing four provinces in Ireland with plenty of stout and spirits, the space was a breath of spring. And, of course, as one guest said, "Nothing says Irish, if you're a Rooney, like six Super Bowl trophies all in a row."

Dan Rooney hosted the Chairman's Reception with his lovely wife, Pat, and his co-chair for the evening, UPMC CEO Jeffrey Romoff (with Stefania). UPMC was the evening's honoree. It was a chance for VIPs including dinner committee members Sy Holzer, John and Kelly Denny, Dave and Vanessa Morehouse, Gerry Glenn and Andrea Carelli to have their pictures taken with the trophies. Irish jigs, songs and salutations and specialties from Waterford, Galway, Dublin and Belfast (cities in the four regions) rounded out the evening as Art Rooney II ( with Greta) offered the Irish toast.

Among those blarney-ized by the Gaelic green-tie gala were Jim and Stephanie Rooney, Jimmy Dunn, Mark and Patrice Hart, Tal and Sarah Heppenstall, Diane Holder, Jack and Lisa Barbour, state Attorney General Tom Corbett with Susan, Gary and Kim Adams, Dawne and Connor Hickton, Gus and Christina Vasilakis, John and Marsha DeFazio, and Jim and Penny Covert.