The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen TD, will be the Guest of Honour at IPAV’s Annual Convention which takes place this year in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co. Dublin on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10. Mr Cowen will address the Convention Dinner on Saturday night.

This year IPAV is also delighted to have as guest speakers on Saturday afternoon, Dublin City Manager John Tierney and world-renowned adventurer and explorer Pat Falvey, who is himself a former member of the Institute.

Pat has over 58 high altitude ascents around the world to his credit. He has the achievement of being the first Irish man to ascend the highest peak on each of the seven continents and also became one of very few people in the world to have climbed Mt. Everest from both sides.

In January this year, Pat led the first Irish expedition to reach the South Pole when he and his three colleagues trecked over 1,140km through icy winds and sub-zero temperatures.

Also speaking on the Saturday afternoon will be Owen O’Neill, Director of Lending with Anglo-Irish Bank.

“This year I think we have put a very good and worthwhile programme together in the wonderful seaside setting of Malahide”, said incoming IPAV President Alan Redmond. “The Convention is always a good mix of learning and social networking and we all look forward to it very much.”

The weekend will begin with a golf competition on the Portmarnock Links course on Friday afternoon and the AGM will take place on Saturday morning.

Mr Redmond said he wished to thank all the sponsors without whom the event would not be possible.

Ends.