Loretta Brennan Glucksman is the 2011 recipient of the Ambassador of Ireland Award from the Saint Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke.

The chairwoman of the American Ireland Fund and founder of a center for Irish studies at New York University will receive the award at a pre-parade breakfast and reception in the 60th annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade on Sunday, March 20.

This will be the 20th anniversary of the Ambassador’s Award. Other recipients have included Frank McCourt, John L. Leahy, president of Quinnipiac University in Connecticut; U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield and U.S. Rep. Peter T. King, R- New York.

At the announcement on Sunday the Saint Patrick’s Committee announced that the American Ireland Fund has raised over $250 million for Irish charities.

Kathleen M. Lynch said “We're honored…She's been involved with so many people who have done wonderful things for Ireland.”

Chairwoman of the Ambassador's Award Committee, Springfield City Councilor Kateri B. Walsh said the award recognizes people who have built cultural and economic ties between the United States and the Republic of Ireland. All recipients are approved by the Irish Government.

Glucksman who is third-generation Irish-American, originally from Allentown, PA, along with her late husband, Lewis, founded the Gluckman Ireland House, the center of Irish studies at New York University. Here over 700 students take courses in Irish language, culture and art.

Also the American Ireland Fund and Gluckman has helped establish integrated schools for both Catholic and Protestant children in Northern Ireland.

She also established the Gluckman Gallery at the University College of Cork and the

Glucksman has also established the Glucksman Gallery at University College Cork Glucksman Map Library and Conservation Center at Trinity College in Dublin.