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ConnectTOTHEGLOBALNETWORKFORIRELANDwww.theirelandfunds.orgSPRINGSUMMERMUSICGENERATIONREACHESOVER20000CHILDRENthePowerofPhilanthropy2015connect2015SPRINGSUMMER ChooseIrelandAreyouapotentialambassadorinhelpingsecureinwardinvestmentMakesureyouhavealltheinormationyouneedonthebeneftsochoosingIreland.DownloadyourcopyoChooseIrelandatkpmg.iekpmg.ie2014KPMGanIrishpartnershipandamemberfirmoftheKPMGnetworkofindependentmemberfirmsaffiliatedwithKPMGInternationalCooperativeKPMGInternationalaSwissentity.TheKPMGnamelogoandcuttingthroughcomplexityareregisteredtrademarksofKPMGInternationalCooperativeKPMGInternationalaSwissentity.Allrightsreserved. 1connect20153MessagefromtheChairman5MessagefromthePresidentCEO6ThePromisingIrelandCampaignUpdate8WordsofThanksfromtheProjectsYouSupport10TheIrelandFundsInauguralFlagshipGrants14BUMBLEance17BusinesstoArts20TheLearningHubinLimerick22ChildrensRightsAlliance24TheIrishWheelchairAssociation26Co-operationIreland30Move4Parkinsons32MusicGeneration36AsIAm38TheIrishGeorgianSociety42TheWashingtonIrelandProgram44SpotlightonOrlaTinsley46ConcernDebates42contents 762connect201550TheIrishYouthFoundation52WhyIGivebyBillMcKiernan54Golf56TheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSociety63TheIrelandFundsYoungLeaders66EventsAroundtheWorld108BoardofDirectors110TheIrelandFundsHeritageSociety112ContactsReadConnectmagazineonlineatwww.theirelandfunds.org66 Connect3connect2015DearFellowSupportersHavingjustcompletedmyrstyearasChairmanofTheAmericanIrelandFundIwantedtotakethisopportunitytothankyouforyourincrediblegenerosityandsupport.IhadtheopportunitytoattendmanyofoureventsacrosstheUSandotherpartsoftheworldthispastyearandcouldnotbelievetheextraordinarycommitmenttohelpingworthycausesinIrelandthatIencounteredateverystopImadealongtheway.BackinIrelandthepositiveimpactthatallthatgenerosityishavingisveryobvious.YoucanseeitinprojectssuchasBarnardoswhichworkswiththedisadvantagedandmarginalized.YoucanseeitinBarretstownwhichofferscareandtherapytochildrenwithlife-threateningillnessesandsupporttotheirfamilies.AndyoucanseeitinNorthernIrelandwhereordinarypeoplearedoingextraordinarythingstomovethePeaceProcessforward.Iamdelightedthatweannouncedagiftof1milliontosupporttheexcellentworkofCo-operationIrelandwhichyoucanreadaboutonpage26inthisissue.WebroughtourannualConferencetoBelfastlastyearwhereweweremadeverywelcome.EveryattendeethatIspoketopraisedthehospitalitywewereshownandsaidtheywouldgladlyreturntoBelfast.Ihopeyouwillconsiderjoiningusatthe2015ConferencewhichwilltakeplaceinbeautifulKillarneyfromJune18th20thofthisyear.Thereyouwillbeabletoseersthandthedifferenceyoursupportismakingandalsohaveavoiceinshapingourgoalsmovingforward.Atatimewhenpublicsourcesofnanceareundersuchpressureprivatephilanthropyhasneverbeenmorecritical.TodayweareoneofthelargestifnotthelargestprivategrantmakersinIreland.ThismeansthatwecanandwemustinuencerealchangeandourPromisingIrelandCampaignisdoingjustthat.Yourremarkablegenerosityhasenabledustobeontracktoachieveournewgoalof200millionwhichisdoubleouroriginalgoal.IamproudofallthegoodworkwedotogetherandIhopethatyouwillseethatworkrsthandyourselfandfeelthesamesenseofpridethatIdo.WithmuchappreciationJohnFitzpatrickChairmanTheAmericanIrelandFund2015SPRINGSUMMER ConnectManagingEditorFeatureWriterRachelAlabisoeditorirlunds.orgArtDirectionDesignHaniaKhuri-TrapperKhuriDesignwww.khuridesign.comAdvertisingManagerRachelAlabisoAllinquiriesshouldbesenttoadvertisingirlunds.orgPrintManagementLoriKraemerW.E.AndrewsPlantLeadProjectPhotographerAengusMcMahonPhotographersDeanBattagliaAlanBetsonBifsFilmsMediaRachelBowersFergusBurnettMichaelCaseyEvannaCraigMelissaFisherFotoGiobertiAngelaGreenlawThelmaHarrisJamesHigginsMartyKatzClareKeoghJoshuaKristalElaineLeeNickiLynchSeanMooreMichaelMustacchiDeeOrganMichaelPetrocelliMickQuickDatuRamelDeliaSteinJaneSzaraniecMattTeagueCanTurkyilmazDonalWardeSumonYusuTheWorldwideIrelandFundsareaninternationalphilanthropicnetworkoperatingin12countriesthathasraisedover480millionforworthycausesinIrelandandIrishcausesaroundtheworld.ItisthelargestnetworkoffriendsofIrelanddedicatedtosupportingprogramsofpeaceandreconciliationartsandcultureeducationandcommunitydevelop-ment.Foundedin1976TheWorldwideIrelandFundshavebenetedover3000organizations.Fundsraisedarecontributedbyprivatephilanthropistsandorganizations.ForcopiesofTheAmericanIrelandFundsauditedaccountsgotowww.theirelandfunds.orgorcontactusat1-800-IRL-FUND.WewelcomeyourcommentsaboutTheAmericanIrelandFundandConnectmagazine.PleasesendallcorrespondencetotheEditor.4connect2015OntheCoverNowinitsnalyearTheIrelandFundsPromisingIrelandCampaigncontinuestoraisevitalsupportforoutstandingcausesacrosstheislandofIrelandandbeyond.MusicGenerationisanextraordinaryexampleofthepowerofphilanthropy.Sofartheprogramhascreated250jobsandhasreachedover20000childrenwithmusicaltuition.photoClareKeogh ConnectDearSupportersThankstoyou2014wasoneofourmostsuccessfulyearsyet.Wegrewourrevenuesconsiderablyandmostimportantlywewereinapositiontomakegrantsofover2millionamonthtoIrishcharities.Asanorganizationwesawgreatgrowthacrossournetworkwithseveralrecordbreakingeventsinmanyofour12Chapters.WehavealsoincreasedcoordinationandcooperationamongtheworldwideChaptersmakingourfellowshipmoreeffectiveacrosstheworld.Wearefullycommittedtomaintainingthismomentumin2015whichisessential.TherecoveryinIrelandisgatheringpaceandthecountryhasdistinguisheditselfasbeingoneofthemostentrepreneurialworldwide.CriticallyunemploymenthasnowfallenbelowtheEuropeanaveragesomethingunimagi-nablenotsolongago.AndyetthisprogresshasbeenachievedbytheIrishpeoplemakinggreatsacrices.Theresultisrealneedandpressureontheground.WithguidancefromourBoardandourcolleaguesinIrelandwedirectyoursupporttothoseprojectsthataremeetingthosechallengesmosteffectivelyandmostimaginatively.InthiseditionofConnectyouwillreadaboutoutstandingprojectsthataredeliveringrealhelpandopportunitieswhereitisneededmost.Theseprojectsareamongthe650organizationswhichhavebeensupportedthroughthePromisingIrelandCampaign.In2015wearedeterminedtocloseourCampaignbyreachingourgoalof200milliondoubleouroriginaltargetof100million.Inallthatwedoweareblessedbygreatleadership.EachofourChaptersisledbyanexcellentBoardandChairperson.IntheUSJohnFitzpatrickisenteringhissecondyearinhisChairmanshipafterawonderfullysuccessfulrsttwelvemonths.Ithankhimandallofourleadersfortheirextraordinarygenerositywiththeirtimetalentandtreasure.Throughyourphilanthropyyouaremakingatremendousimpactwhenitisneededmost.YouarereallystandingupforIrelandandhelpingrestorelivesandlivelihoods.KindregardsKieranMcLoughlinPresidentandCEOTheWorldwideIrelandFunds2015SPRINGSUMMER5connect2015 6connect2015ThepriorityareasofTheWorldwideIrelandFundsareInvestinginIrelandsCommunitiesSupportingasharedfutureinNorthernIrelandPromotingPhilanthropyinIrelandProvidingAccesstoEducationThePromotionofIrishCultureandHeritageAssistingDisadvantagedYouthAssistingtheElderlyForgottenIrishTheWorldwideIrelandFundslaunchedthePromisingIrelandCampaigntoraise100milliononbehalfofIrishcharitiesandcausesworldwide.Thankstodonorsgenerositytheoriginalgoalwasexceededandanewgoalof200millionhasnowbeenset.Whenweembracedthenewtargetweundertookthechallengeofhavingtoraise500000aweektotheendof2015.CharitiesacrosstheislandofIrelandandbeyondareexperiencinganincreaseddemandfortheirservicesatatimeofamajorreductioninresources.TheCampaignstitlePromisingIrelandreectsTheIrelandFundspledgetothesegroupsaswellasabeliefinIrelandsfuture.Hereisjustasampleoftheover650outstandingorganizationsthathavealreadyreceivedsupportfromthePromisingIrelandCampaign.ThankstoyouTheWorldwideIrelandFundsarenowinthenalyearofthePromisingIrelandCampaignwithagoalofraising200million.LearnmoreabouthowyoucansupportthePromisingIrelandCampaignbyscanningthecodevisitingwww.theirelandfunds.orgorcalling1-800-IRL-FUND1-800-475-3863109110111112113114115Dec2015115109110111112113114200m180m160m140m120m100m80m60m40m20m0mProgress200mGoal100mOriginalGoal 7connect20151428ActiveRetirementClub174TrustAbbeySchoolAbbeyTheatreAdultLiteracyandBasicEducationAgeOpportunityAgeNorthernIrelandAgeConcernNetworkoNewcastleandDistrictAislingCommunityCenterAkidwaAKIlenBoatbuildingSchoolALONEAlzheimerSocietyoIrelandAmericanIrishHistoricalSocietyAnamBeoAnamCaraParentSiblingBereavementSupportAnTaisce-TheNationalTrustorIrelandAnCosan-TheShantyArdglassDevelopmentAssociationArdoyneHolycrossBoxingClubTheArkAshokaIrelandASIAmAthloneCommunityRadioAtlanticCorridorAutismSpeaksAwareBaboroInternationalArtsFestivalorChildrenBackstageTheatreBailieboroughSwimmingLeisureCentreBallinglenArtsFoundationBallybegCommunityDevelopmentProjectBallyclareFamilyFocusBallyhouraHeritageEnvironmentBallymacormackCommunityDevelopmentGroupBanbridgeArthritisCareBantryInshoreSearchandRescueAssociationBarnardosBarretstownBearaTourismDevelopmentBedordRowFamilyProjectBelastBeltwayBoxingProjectBeLonGToYouthServicesBelvedereCollegeS.J.BelvedereYouthClubBiaFoodbankBirdWatchIrelandBlackrockCollegeBlueBoxCreativeLearningCentreBlueTeapotTheatreCompanyBonmahonParentCarerToddlerGroupBoyneGardaYouthDiversionProjectBrayAreaPartnershipBridge21BridgewaysFamilyResourceCentreBritish-IrishAssociationBrothersoCharityClareBuildingBallysallyTogetherBurrenbeoTrustBusinesstoArtsTheButlerGalleryTheCabbagePatchersCahootsNorthernIrelandCamaraIrelandCamerataIrelandCamphillCommunitiesoIrelandCardiacRiskintheYoungCRYCareAterPrisonCareLocalCarersAssociationCarmichaelCentreorVoluntaryGroupsCatholicInstituteorDeaPeopleChangeXCharlevilleCastleHeritageTrustChicagoIrishImmigrationSupportChildAbusePreventionProgrammeChildrensMedicalandResearchFoundationChildrensRightsAllianceChildrensSunshineHomeLauraLynnHouseChristopherL.KeeleyScholarsCillRialigProjectCilltSeandanTeoCinemagicCitogCityoDublinYMCACitywiseEducationClondalkinTravellersDevelopmentGroupCloughmillsCommunityActionTeamClubShineCnocnaGaoitheTullaComhaltasCulturalCentreCoalitionoIrishImmigrationCentersColaisteMhichilComharchumannForbarthaCommunityActionNetworkCommunityFocusLearningCommunityRelationsinSchoolsConcernWorldwideCo-operationIrelandCopeGalwayCorkBoatClubCorkCounselingServicesCorkFoundationCorkInstituteoTechnologyCorkPennyDinnersCorrymeelaCommunityCountyRoscommonDisabilitySupportGroupCrossBorderOrchestraCrossCommunitySchoolsProjectCrumlinChildrensHospitalCuidighLinnCuisleCancerSupportCentreCysticFibrosisAssociationoIrelandDailwatchDarndaleBelcampIntegratedChildcareServicesDCURyanAcademyDeaHear.ieDepaulIrelandDITFoundationDiversityChallengesDomesticViolenceResponseDonalWalshLivelieFoundationDonBoscoTeenageCareHouseAssociationDonegalTeenParentSupportProgrammeDorasLuimniDownSyndromeIrelandDraoichtDressorSuccessDroghedaDistrictSupport4OlderPeopleDromboughilCommunityAssociationDruidTheatreCompanyDrumlaneCommunityPartnershipDublinCityUniversityDublinCivicTrustDublinInternationalPianoCompetitionDublinJewishBoardoGuardiansDublinSimonCommunityDublinSPCADublinTalmudTorahDublinTheatreFestivalDublinUNESCOCityoLiteratureDundalkYouthCentreDunLaoghaireReugeeProjectEarlyYearsEastBelastCommunityAgencyEastClareCommunityCooperativeSocietyEdenAlternativeTheEducationalTrustEducateTogetherEiruTrustEmeraldIsleImmigrationCenterEmerCaseyFoundationEmpoweringPeopleinCareEPICEnactusIrelandEnableIrelandEnergyActionEpilepsyIrelandFACEFermoyActionChildrensEducationFamiliesFirstFeenyCommunityAssociationFeileanPhobailFettercairnCommunityHealthProjectFightingWordsFindaWheelchairTaxiFirstStepCentreFlaxTrustFocusIrelandForigeNetworkorTeachingEntrepreneurshipNFTEFoyleSearchRescueFreeLegalAdviceCentreFLACFrontLineFunkyFishYouthCaGaelicPlayersAssociationGaelscoileannaGaisce-ThePresidentsAwardGalwayArtsCentreGalwayAutismPartnershipGalwayRapeCrisisCentreGateTheatreGenerationsinActionGiantsCommunityFoundationGigntheBannGIYGlenstalAbbeyGlentoranAcademyGOALTheGoalLineYouthTrustGortaGreystonesFamilyResourceCentreGroundworkNorthernIrelandHabitatorHumanityIrelandHabitatorHumanityNorthernIrelandHavenHeadstrongHeadwayBelastHeartshareHeliumArtsHelloWorldFoundationHenriettaAdultCommunityEducationHirelandHomeShareClareHomeStartDownDistrictTheIconWalkICTRIndependentAgeInnerCityEnterpriseInspireIrelandIntegratedEducationFundInter-AidIntercomIorrasLeCheileCDPIrelandChamberoCommerceintheUSIrelandUSCouncilIrishAncestryResearchCentreIARCIrishArchitecturalArchiveIrishArtsCenterIrishAutismActionIrishChamberOrchestraIrishCouncilorCivilLibertiesIrishCulturalCentreoNewEnglandIrishDeaKidsIrishDogsortheDisabledIrishFilmInstituteIrishForumorGlobalHealthIrishGeorgianSocietyIrishGuideDogsortheBlindIrishHeartFoundationIrishHospiceFoundationIrishImmigrationCenterIrishInternationalImmigrantCenterIrishMathematicsLearningSupportNetworkIrishMensShedsAssociationIrishMuseumoModernArtIrishPenalReormTrustIrishRepertoryTheatreIrishSeedSaversIrishSocietyorthePreventionoCrueltytoAnimalsIrishSocietyorthePreventionoCrueltytoChildrenIrishStammeringAssociationIrishTechnologyLeadershipGroupIrishTravellerMovementYellowFlagProgrammeIrishWheelchairAssociationIrishYouthFoundationIscoil.ieJackandJillChildrensFoundationJewishHomeoIrelandKelticDreamsKerryDiocesanYouthServicesKerryGAACentreoExcellenceKidsintheKitchenKidzKlubKildareTravellerActionKilkeeCivicTrustKilkennyAgeFriendlyCountyProgrammeKillaloeandBallinaCivicTrustKnockanrawleyResourceCentreLARCCCancerSupportCentreLarneYMCALearmountCommunityDevelopmentGroupLearningHubLimerickLeitrimCallingLetterkennyITLewisGlucksmanGalleryLiestartNationalOceLifordClonleighResourceCentreLighthouseLigonielFamilyCentreLimerickEnterpriseDevelopmentPartnershipLimerickInstituteoTechnologyLinkAcademyCICLittleMuseumoDublinLOGICLostLivesLyricTheatreMacnasMacushlaDanceClubor50MakingConnectionsMarkPollockTrustMarriageEqualityMaryImmaculateCollegeMaterFoundationMattTalbotServicesMayoMountainRescueMeanscoilMhuireMeithealMaraMeathYouthFederationMentalHealthReormMerchantsQuayIrelandMercyInternationalAssociationMercyLawResourceCentreTheMichaelSmurtBusinessSchoolatUCDMidlandsSimonCommunityMigrantDisabilityNetworkIrelandMindWiseNewVisionMonaghanIntegratedDevelopmentMove4ParkinsonsFoundationMoyCosyClubMoyValleyCommunityServicesProgrammeMSIrelandMusicGenerationMusicNetworkMyMindNarrative4NaPiobairiUilleanNascNationalAutisticSocietyNationalCollegeoArtDesignNationalCollegeoIrelandParent-ChildHomeProgrammeNationalConcertHallNationalGalleryoIrelandNationalInstituteorIntellectualDisabilityNIIDNationalLibraryoIrelandTrustNationalUniversityoIrelandGalwayNationalUniversityoIrelandMaynoothNativeWoodlandTrustNavanYoungPeoplesDevelopmentNewYorkIrishCenterForgottenIrishAppealNewYorkUniversityGlucksmanIrelandHouseNewbridgeFamilyResourceCentreNextStepNexusInstituteNoMindLetBehindScholarshipProgrammeNorthKerryOlderPersonsServicesNorthernIrelandAtPlayNorthernIrelandCancerFundorChildrenNorthernIrelandChildrensHospiceNorthernIrelandCommunityoReugeesandAsylumSeekersNorthsideLearningHubNorthConnaughtYouthServicesNorthTipperaryLEADERPartnershipNorthWestHospiceNorthWestTonguesTonesandTappingNurturePostNatalDepressionSupportServicesOfalyDyslexiaGroupOneinFourOpenHeartHouseOrganicBoysOriginTheaterOssoryYouthOurLadysBoysClubOurLadyImmaculateSeniorSchoolPartnersTrainingorTransormationPeacebuildersInternationalPeacePlayersInternationalPercyFrenchFestivalPeterMcVerryTrustPhilanthropyIrelandPietaHouseThePlayhousePortGardaYouthDiversionProjectPresentationDeLaSalleCollegePrincesTrustProjectBallynahinchPublicInterestLawAlliancePILAThePushkinTrustQueensUniversityQuigleysPointCommunityCentreRADERamoanFriendshipGroupRailwayPreservationSocietyReachAcrossRichhillCommunityArtsAssociationRighttoSightTheRiseFoundationRootsoEmpathyRotharRoyalHibernianAcademyRoyalInniskillingFusiliersRegimentalMuseumRoyalIrishAcademyRUAREDSouthDublinArtsCentreRuhamaRuralResettlementIrelandSaeHomeProgrammeSamaritansSaoirseFoundation-BUMBLEanceSaplingsSchoolorChildrenwithAutismSelectVestryoLissadellParishSelHelpAricaSesameStreetNorthernIrelandSharingPointShowRacismtheRedCardSIFEIrelandSliEileSightsaversSligoCancerSupportCentreSligoDyslexiaGroupSmockAlleyTheatreSocialEntrepreneursIrelandSocialJusticeIrelandSocietyoVincentdePaulSolasProjectSOSBusNorthernIrelandSpecialOlympicsIrelandSpecialisterneIrelandSpeedpakSpeedwellTrustSpinalInjuriesIrelandSportChangesLivesSportedSportsAgainstRacismIrelandSARISpraoiagusSportSpringboardOpportunitiesSpunOutSt.BernadettesPrimarySchoolSt.BrigidsFamilyResourceCentreSt.ChristophersServicesLeisureBuddiesSt.ColmansCareCentreSt.DominicsSecondarySchoolSt.FrancisHospiceSt.GabrielsSchoolCentreSt.JamessHospitalFoundationSt.JarlathsCourtResidentsAssociationSt.JohnoGodMenniServicesWayBuddyAppSt.JohnsAmateurBoxingClubFermoySt.LukesHomeSt.MichaelsEstateFamilyResourceCentreSt.PatricksCathedralSt.PatricksCollegeTeachnetSt.StephensGreenTrustSt.UltansAterSchoolProjectStepbyStepNorthernIrelandStickyFingersSuasEducationalDevelopmentSuicideorSurviveTAGITFishingClubTallaghtCentreortheUnemployedTaraCentreTechSpaceTempleBarGalleryStudiosTempleStreetChildrensFundorHealthTemporaryEmergencyAccommodationMullingarTEAMTerryEnrightFoundationThreeDrivesFamilyResourceCentreThirdAgeFoundationThomasF.MeagherFoundationTipperaryExcelHeritageCompanyTirBoghaineTeorantaTLC4CysticFibrosisTrinityCollegeDublinTruaghDevelopmentAssociationTuesdaysChildrenTurn2MeUlsterHistoricalFoundationUndergraduateAwardsUNICEFIrelandUniversityCollegeCorkUniversityCollegeDublinUniversityoLimerickUniversityoUlsterUpperSpringeldDevelopmentTrustValentiaIslandDevelopmentCompanyVictimSupportatCourtVineyardCompassionVOICEVoiceoIrishConcernortheEnvironmentVoidArtCentreWALKWashingtonIrelandProgramWatersideWomensCentreWestCorkMusicFestivalWestCorkWomenAgainstViolenceWestLimerickResourcesLtd.WexordFestivalOperaWhitegatesCommunityWicklowHospiceFoundationWiredFmWomenorElectionWOWGroup-WinnersonWheelsWritetoReadWritersWeekListowelYoungEnterpriseNorthernIrelandYoungSocialInnovatorsYouthHorizonsYouthInitiativesYouthWorkIrelandGalway 8connect20128connect20128connect2015ThePromisingIrelandCampaignishelpingIrishcharitiesnowwhentheyneeditmost.YourgenerositytoTheIrelandFundsisbringingservicestopeopleinneedandtheirthanksisourthanks.Hereisjustasampleofwhatsomeoftheover650organizationsassistedbythePromisingIrelandCampaignhavesaidaboutyoursupportTHANKYOU 9connect2015TheIrelandFundshavebeencriticalinbringingtheYoungSocialInnovatorsexperiencetoNorthernIreland.RatherthantryingtogetyoungpeopletocometoDublintheycannowexperienceithereonthegroundsurroundedbypeopleintheirowncommunity.RachelCollierofYoungSocialInnovatorsIbelievedfromthebeginningthatartcouldcivilizethiscorner.Wecleaneditupbothliterallyandguratively.TheIrelandFundsbelievedthattooandtheyweretheveryrstfundsweeverreceived.BarneyPhairwriterhistorianspeakingabouthiscreationTheIconWalkinDublinSupportfromTheIrelandFundshasbeencrucialdur-ingthisperiodinhelpingusmaintainapresenceasharedspaceopentoeveryoneregardlessofreligiousaflia-tionraceorethnicity.Rev.BillShawof174TrustinNorthernIrelandThisprojectisadistinctexampleofIrelandusinginnovationtodeliverculturalprogramminginafreshanduniqueway.AndwithoutthehelpofTheIrelandFundsandotherstakeholdersitjustwouldnthavehappened.JackieGormanCEOofAtlanticCorridoronAPlaceCalledHomeproject 10connect2015TheIrelandFundsInauguralFlagshipInvestmentsGrantRoundBYJORDANCAMPBELLProgrammesManagerTheIrelandFundsSOWINGSEEDSWITHOUTSTANDINGORGANIZATIONSOverthelast38yearsTheWorldwideIrelandFundshaveawardedgrantstomorethan3000outstandingorganizationsinIrelandandNorthernIrelandworkingintheareasofartsandculturecommunitydevelopmenteducationandpeaceandreconciliation.Since2008ourgranteeshavebeenoperatinginanextremelychallengingfundraisingenvironmentfacingbothdropsinincomeandanincreaseindemandfortheirprogramsandservices.AsoneoflargestprivategrantmakingorganizationsinIrelandTheIrelandFundsareproudthatourdonorshavesustainedtheircommitmenttosupportingourwork.In2014thiscommitmentwasdemonstratedbythefactthatwepaidoutover24millioningrantstoover270organizationsthroughdonor-designatedgiftsandthroughtwocompetitivegrantsprogramstheSmallGrantsRoundandournewFlagshipInvestmentsGrantRound.HowcanwehelpIRELANDSNONPROFITSECTORSPEAKSANDTHEIRELANDFUNDSLISTENEveryyearTheIrelandFundsinvitefeedbackfromourapplicantsonourfundingprocessesclarityofguidelinesandourservicestogranteesandapplicants.In2013weinvitedallorganizationswhohadappliedtousinthepastthreeyearswhetherornottheyreceivedfundingtocompleteamoredetailedsurveyontheirexperienceoffundingandonhowweasafoundationcouldbetterhelpnon-protorganizations.Wereceivedfeedbackfrom660organizationswhotoldusthatthenon-protsectorwouldbenetmostifweweretoProvidemulti-annualfundingOffermoregrantstosupportcorecostsOperateatieredGrantRoundwithdifferentrequirementsdependingonamountsoughtRequirematchingfundingLimiteligibilitytoorganizationswithincomebelowacertainthresholdOfferfewergrantsbutofferlargeramountsNarrowguidelinestorestricteligibility 11connect2015ThiseedbackromapplicantsinormedthedesignoournewFlagshipInvestmentsGrantRoundwhichliketheSmallGrantsRoundisacompetitiveprogramthatseeksapplicationsromnon-protorganizationsworkingacrosstheislandoIreland.TheprogramsdiferhoweverinaewkeyareasMostorganizationsbegintheirundingrelationshipwithTheIrelandFundsbyapplyingoragrantthroughtheSmallGrantsRoundwithmanygoingontoreceivesignicantinvestmentromourdonors.TheFlagshipInvestmentsGrantRoundprovidesuswithanotherundinglevelbetweentheSmallGrantsRoundandthelargerDonorAdvisedGrants.WhilenotallorganizationsreceivingundingthroughtheSmallGrantsRoundwillbeagoodtortheFlagshipInvestmentsGrantRoundthosethatareeligiblewillreceivecoreundingadviceandopportunitiestoshowcasetheirworktoournetworkodonors.SMALLGRANTSROUNDAVERAGEAWARD100010000peryear133013290peryearELIGIBILITYCRITERIATrackrecordosupportromTheIrelandFundsisnotnecessarytobeconsideredintheSmallGrantRoundUSEOFGRANTFUNDSGrantsareawardedorprojectcostsDISTINGUISHINGFEATURESHigher-volumeprogramthatOFAPPROACHIncreasesourunderstandingothenon-protlandscapeHelpsustoidentiyemergingareasoneedProvidesuswithasenseotheundraisingenvironmentAllowsustoidentiyleadersandinnovatorsASSESSMENTPROCESSApplicationsassessedin-houseandrecommendationsapprovedbyAIFBoardDuediligenceincludesreviewogoverningdocumentandaccountsFLAGSHIPINVESTMENTSGRANTROUND2500075000peryear3322599800peryearApplicantsmusthaveatrackrecordosupportromTheIrelandFundsGrantssupportcoreorprogramcostsincludingsalariesandoverheadsLower-volumeprogramthatAllowsustohelporganizationsscaleupprogramsortoprovidegreaternancialsecurityastheygrowHelpsusadheretobestpracticeIsaplatormorshowcasingtheambitiousandimpactulworkooutstandingorganizationsRequiresshortlistedorganizationstopresenttoaBoard-levelGrantsCommitteewhoserecommen-dationaresubmittedtoAIFBoardorapprovalDuediligenceincludesreviewogoverningdocumentauditedaccountsmanagementaccountsannualreportsandstrategicplan. 12connect2015FORIGENETWORKFORTEACHINGENTREPRENEURSHIPNFTEThegrantwillprovidecorefundingforNFTEtoallowtheorganizationtocontinuetodeliverhigh-qualityentrepreneurshipeducationtoyoungpeopleindisadvantagedcommunities.ThefollowingorganizationswereselectedforTheIrelandFundsInauguralFlagshipInvestmentsGrantRoundLITTLEMUSEUMOFDUBLINThegrantwillprovidesupportforMuseumexhibitionsfrom2015-2016whichwillinturnsupportthewiderangeofeducationalandculturalprogramming.FIGHTINGWORDSBELFASTOPERATIONFightingWordsdeliverscreativewritingandrelatedartsprogramstoyoungpeopleatnocostwithaparticularfocusonthosefromdisadvantagedcommunities.ThegrantwillsupportthecostofdevelopingFightingWordsinBelfast.NCIEARLYLEARNINGINITIATIVEFundingwillprovidecoresupportfortwoyearsoftheParent-ChildHomeProgramwhichisaprovenliteracyandparentingprogramthathelpspreparechildrenindisadvan-tagedcommunitiestosucceedatschool. 13connect2015THEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDsupportedthesesevenorganizationswithatotalinvestmentof345908.SubjecttoFlagshipGranteesmeetingtargetsandreportingrequirementswewilllooktocontinueoursupportatthislevelin2015.TheIrelandFundofAustraliaalsocameonboardtofundthreeoutstandingFlagshipapplicantsthatareanexcellenttfortheirfundingpriorityofsupportinghighqualityeducationalinitiativesindisadvantagedcommunities.IntegratedEducationJuniorAchievementSuasIntotalTheWorldwideIrelandFundsinvestedover515000inourrstFlagshipInvestmentsGrantRound.In2015and2016ConnectwillkeepyouoursupportersuptodatewiththelatestnewsandachievementsofourFlagshipGrantees.Wearedelightedtobeabletosupportsuchimpactfulandambitiousorganizationsandwecouldnotdosowithoutyoursupport.OnbehalfofourFlagshipGranteeswethankyouforyourunparalleledcommitmentandyourgenerosity.PLAYHOUSEDERRYSTREETTALKPROGRAMThegrantwillallowthePlayhousetodeliverStreetTalkanarts-basedprogramthataimstotacklehighlevelsofcrimeanti-socialbehaviourandsectarianismnegativeinuencesfromparamili-tarieslackofpositiverolemodelsandnegativeattitudesaboutpolice.FundingwillallowthePlayhousetodelivertheprogramfortwoyears.WOMENFORELECTIONGrantwillcoverthecostofdeliveringtheEQUIPprogramIrelandsonlycross-partypoliticalcampaignschoolforwomen.Thisfundingwillensurethattheprogramwillbedeliveredtothehigheststandardinadvanceofthenextgeneralelection.SOCIALENTREPRENEURSIRELANDInthelast10yearsSEIhassupported169socialentrepreneurswhohaveinturnimpactedthelivesofover250000people.ThisgrantwillprovidetwoyearsfundingforSEIsElevatorProgramwhichwillprovidementoringtrainingandfundingfor12highpotentialsocialenterpriseseachyear. Theworldsrstinteractiveambulancedesignedspecicallyforchildren.14connect2015FOUNDERTONYHEFFERNANWITHTHESTATE-OF-THE-ARTBUMBLEANCEAMBULANCEFORCHILDRENBUMBLEance 15connect2015TONYMARYHEFFERNANhaveexperiencedaprofoundsadnessthatfewfamilieshavehadtoendure.FortherstfewyearsoflifetheirdaughterSaoirseandheryoung-erbrotherLiamenjoyedthethingsthatmostchildrendo.PlayingwithtoydinosaursvisitingDisneylandParisanddrawingbumblebees.Butin2009SaoirsewasdiagnosedwithBattensDiseasearareneurologicaldisorderthatleftherpronetomul-tipleseizuresandrobbedherofbodilyfunctions.Sadlyatage5shepassedawayfromthecondition.Devastatedthefamilystillfoundawaytomakeapositiveimpactforotherfamilies.InthemidstoftheirgrieftheychannelledtheirenergiesandfoundedSaoirseFounda-tiontomakepositivelifeimpactsforchildrenthroughitsrstprojectBeeforBattenstosupportaffectedchildrenandfamiliesandtoraiseawarenessforBattensDisease.InApril2013theHeffernansSaoirseFoundationextendeditscharitableobjectivestohelpevenmorefamiliesandtheirsickchildrenacrosstheIslandofIreland.TheirtwonewprojectsareLiamsLodgeIrelandsrstnationalrespitecentreforchildrenwithrareandgeneticdisordersandtheirfamiliesLiamsLodgewillalsobeIrelands2ndchildrenshospiceandinSeptember2013BUMBLEanceastate-of-the-artambulancedesignedtosafelytransportIrelandssickestchildrenandtheirfamiliestomedicaltreatmentswhileprovidingawarmandentertainingenvironment.BUMBLEancealsoprovidesAngelTripsforchildrenmakingtheirnaljourneyfromhospitaltohomeastheyconcludepalliativecare.AsthefourcharitiescreatedawarenessandsupportforfamiliesacrossIrelandTheHeffernanfamilyexperiencedtheunthinkableasLiamwhohadalsobeendiagnosedwithBattensDiseaselosthisbattleinMayof2014alsoatage5.BynowmuchofthepublichadcometoknowthestoryoftheHeffernansthroughtheIrishmediaandtheirgriefwassharedbymanyacrossIrelandandaroundtheworld.TonyHeffernannowservesasCEOofthecharityandspeakscandidlyabouthisfamilysexperience.Hehasarst-handpassionforprovidingservicestosimilarfamiliesinneed.WiththeBUMBLEanceexperiencekidscomerstfamilycomesrstanddignityisintactexplainsTony.IrememberourdaughterSaoirsehavingtotravelfromtheDinglePeninsulatoDublinandbackinaregularambulanceanditwasafrighteningexperience.SoweestablishedtherstBUMBLEance.WhenoursonLiamdiedinMayof2014hewasrstbroughthomebyBUMBLEance.AndourBumblecrewasweliketocallthemcameinandbroughtusdoortodoorbedtobed.Itwasjustlikealittlehugyouknowinasadtime.Threedayslateroursondied.ButhisnaljourneyonearthwasinaBUMBLEance.TheBUMBLEancemedicaltransportexperienceremovesfearforchildren.EquippedwithacolorfulinterioraTViPadvideogamesmoviesinternetmusicandthreeseatsinsteadofthestandardtwosobothparentscanaccompanyaparamedicthevehiclecreatesanentirelydifferenttypeoftransportforseriouslyillchildren.Yetunderneaththeanimatedcharactersandtheentertainmentsystemsisatop-notchmedicalserviceequippedandstaffedtohandlethemostdemandinganddelicatetransports.AllofthisisprovidedtofamiliesacrossIrelandandNorthernIrelandatnocharge.ItsexceptionallyexpensiveinIrelandtodothisbutwedontchargefamiliesforourservicesaysTony.Aslongaswecancon-tinuetofundraisetokeepitgoingwewilldojustthat.ThepublichasbeenverygoodtousandnowTheIrelandFundshavebeenaswell.BUMBLEanceisreservedforfamilieswithprofoundmedicalneeds.WevepickedupachildwhohadmultiplebrokenbonesduetoBrittleBoneSyndromeandtheylookedlikeastarshinabigcastexplainsTony.Youcanttransportachildlikethisinthefamilycarminivan.ButBUMBLEancecan.InthatinstancethechilddidntevenknowshewassickbecauseshewaswatchingacartoonontheLEDtv.Shejustcameinlookedaroundtoseethefriendlybeesthebrightcolorsandourcrewwhomadeherfeelatease.EachBUMBLEancecosts200000260000tobuild.CurrentlythereisoneservingtheentireislandofIrelandanddemandforitsuseishigh.IdeallyTonyenvisionsveBUMBLEancestransportingchildrenacrosstheislandsomedayandisactivelyfundraisingtogetBUMBLEanceIIontheroad.Lifeisntjustachoreorafunction.ItshouldbeanexperienceTonysayssoftly.Mostofthekidswhowilltravelonthiswillhaveashortenedlifesoitsprioritynumberonetotasmanypositiveexperiencesintoit.Therewillbeenoughfrownsandtearsintheirliveswhiletheyrehere.Whynotprovideasmileratherthanafrown connect201516JackwasbornwithOsteo-genesisImperfectawhichisalsoknownasBrittleBoneDisorder.InOctober2013JackwastherstchildfromDonegaltouseBUMBLEance.JacksjourneywasmuchmorecomfortablewhentravellingonBUMBLEanceandhespentitplayingwiththeiPadwatchingDVDssingingandlaughing.JacksmumRuthdescribesitsayingtheyarrivedinTempleStreetstress-freeandhappy.JackSophieEvaCian connect201517BusinesstoArtsandTheIrelandFundsBuildDialoguePartnershipWiththeArtsinIrelandbyAndrewHetheringtonChiefExecutiveBusinesstoArtsBusinesstoArtsisamembership-basednon-proftdevelopingandsupportingpartnershipsbetweenbusinessesindividualsandartsorganizations.Webelievethatthecreativityotheartsandtheacumenothebusinesscommunityenhanceeachotherandhelpdriveworld-classperormanceinIreland.NewStream 18connect2015NEWSTREAMImprovingFundraisingandRaisingtheBarOurteamoffourbasedinTempleBarinDublindeliversprofessionaldevelopmentprogramsdesignedtocreateanimpact.In2009justastheeconomiccrisisstartedtoimpactonthefortunesoftheculturalsectorwecreatedNewStreamamulti-yearorganizationaldevelopmentprogramtoimprovefundraisingandstrategic-planningskillsintheartssector.IntherstveyearsofthisprojectcreatedwiththesupportofTheIrelandFundsBankofAmericaMerrillLynchtheDepartmentofArtsHeritagetheGaeltachtparticipantshaveraised12millionwhichtheyattributetotheskillsandsup-portsprovidedbyBusinesstoArts.Insupportoftheseprinciplessince2012TheIrelandFundshavebeenaninvestorintheNewStreamprogramsupportingthesharingofcontentandlearningthroughanonlineKnowledgeCenterwww.businesstoarts.ienewstream.ThisisallowingabroaderreachforNewStreamparticularlytoindividualsandorganizationswhoneedmoresupportbutperhapsdonthavetheresourcestoparticipateinaprogram.ThecatalystofTheIrelandFundssupportwasthebeginningofatwo-yearpartnershipwiththeDeVosInstituteofArtsManagementattheKennedyCenterinWashingtonDCwhichsaw24organizationsfromacrossIrelandgothroughtheDeVosIrelandProgramme.Thisisanintensiveorganizationalcapacity-buildingprogramwhichfocusesonstrategicplanningmarketingboarddevelopmentandfundraising.Participatingorganizationsincludedperformingandvisualartspresenterse.g.FishambleTheatreCompanyGlucksmanGalleryCorkmulti-disciplinaryartscenterse.g.glrEnnisProjectArtsCentrefestivalse.g.ClonmelJunctionFestivalTigerDublinFringeDublinTheatreFestivalarts-basedorganizationsservingyoutholderpeopleandindividualswithdisabilitye.g.ArtsDisabilityIrelandandAgeOpportunity.ThescalewasnationalengagingorganizationsfromClareCorkWexfordLimerickTipperaryDublinandbeyondanditbuiltontheachievementsoftherstthreeyearsoftheNewStreamprogram.TheDeVosIrelandProgrammeincludedannualgroupseminarsregularonlineworkinggroupssitevisitsandongoingone-on-oneconsultation.Attheoutsetthedomi-nantconcernofparticipantswastheimpactoftherecessiononorganizationalnances.Themajorityhadexperiencedrecentsubstantialreductionsinbothpublicandprivatefunding.Manyhadencounteredparallellossesinearnedrevenuefromticketsalesclassfeesetcandasaresulthadlimitedthefrequencyandscaleoftheirprogramming.WhatWorksinEnnisMayNotWorkinClonmelAstheparticipatingorganizationshadvaryinglevelsofcapacitywerecognizedthattheprogramwasunlikelytohavethesameoutcomesforall.Someorganizationswerelargeandbasedinafuenturbancentersothersweresmallerbasedinruralenvironmentswithlessapparentaccesstoprivatesupport.WorkingtogetherwiththeDeVosInstituteweensuredthattheprogramdeliveredbestinternationalpracticebalancedwithrigorouslocalizationaswhatworkedinEnnismaynotworkinClonmelandacceptedpracticesintheUnitedStateswouldnottranslateuniformlyintotheIrishcontext.Likewisethelimitsofatwo-yearprogramwereacknowledgedorganizationalhabitsaccruedoveryearsordecadespriortotheprogramwouldnotgivewayovernightTheintensivetrainingthusassertedthattosurviveandideallyfourishparticipatingorganizationsmust1.produceconsistentlysuperiorartandservices2.marketthatartaggressively3.buildafamilyoffundersdonorsticket-buyersandotherbuyersofitsservices4.convertthegoodwillofthatfamilyintoanancialresource5.re-investthatresourceinevenmoreimpactfulartthefollowingyearWehavewitnessednewthinkingandgrowingproactiv-ityandentrepreneurshipintheartssector.Afocusonstrategicplanninginparticipantorganizationsisbeginningtoenhanceresiliencewhichwebelieveiscriticalatthistime.WerealsoseeingprogressinsharinglearningthroughthedevelopingnetworkofartsfundraiserscreatedviaNewStream.ThisistherstofitskindinIrelandandhasbecomeamodelfordeliveryandfocusonaccountabilityinothersectors.OurannualevaluationofNewStreamshowsthatthisprogramdeliversmeasuredtangibleresultsyearonyear.TheEvaluationisindependentlyassessedbytheSchoolofCulturalPolicyandArtsManagementatUniversityCollegeDublin.PutsimplythereisnomoresuccessfulprogramofthistypeoperatinginIrelandandthemodelisnowattractinginternationalrecognitionandbeingreplicatedelsewhereinEurope.BusinesstoArtsisenormouslygratefultoTheIrelandFundsandtheirsupportersforthisinvestmentoveranumberofyearsinNewStream.Wehopetocontinuethissupportwithnewpartnershipsandsuccessintothefuture.TheguidingprinciplesincreatingtheNewStreamprogramwereToidentifyandengagethosewhowillbenetfromfundraisingdevelopmentintheartsToensurethattheeducationprocessisongoingandthatparticipantshavetheopportunitytocontinuetodeveloptheirskillsTocreateanenvironmentwheretheartssectorcanbecomeincreasinglycollaborativeinitsapproachtofundraisinganddevelopmentWeeelwehavehadacompleteattitudechange.Theethoshasshited.ForthefrsttimeIeelhopeulaboutusmakingasuccessulpitch.Ieelundraisingisnowconsideredtobeacollectiveresponsibilityandthereismoretrustbetweentheboardandexecutiveanddevelopmentsta.Wehavealwaysworkedasateambutwehaveaclearlyoutlinedstrategyandalloourattitudesandambitionsarenowmorecloselyaligned.ProjectsArtsCentre 19connect2015CLONMELJUNCTIONFESTIVALLONG-TERMARTISTICPLANNINGANDFUNDRAISINGOUTCOMEAnumberofsignicantoutcomeshaveresultedfromtheintro-ductionofalong-termplanningapproachpairedwithnewfundraisingmechanisms.Asponsorwhohadcontributedfor10yearsmadeathree-yearcommitmentat250oftheiroriginalinvestmentlevel.AttheintroductionoftheCommissioningPatronProgrammethreelong-term300-levelFestivalFriendsincreasedtheirgiftstothe500level.CASESTUDIESTHEABBEYTHEATREINTEGRATIONOFMARKETINGANDFUNDRAISINGEFFORTSOUTCOMEInoneyeartheAbbeyTheatrehasmorethandoubleditsmembershipbaserepresentinga52growthinmembershipincome.Additionally17ofthemembershiprenewalsin2013increasedtheirgivingfromoneleveltothenext.Duringthesameperiodtotalindividualgivinggrew36.WEXFORDFESTIVALOPERAWFOMAJORDONORFUNDRAISINGOUTCOMEBetween2011and2013WFOgeneratedincreasedrevenuefrommajorgifts.Giftsfrommajordonorsincreasedinvaluebyanoverwhelming81from2012to2013alone.Majorgiftrevenuerepresented3.2oftheFestivalstotalincomein2012andrepre-sentedalmostdoublethator5.6in2013.ApproximatelyhalfofthedonorsinthisperiodwerenewtoWFOrepresentingamajorexpan-sioninthediversityofWFOsfundingbase.THEARKBUILDINGFAMILYTHROUGHMEMBERSHIPOUTCOMETheArkhasattracted52newFamilyMembersresultinginincreasedrevenue.Bytheendof2014theArkstargetwastoretain200familymembersby2015thatgoalincreasedto300.Whilerevenuefromthisprogramisstillrelativelymodestitssignicantgrowthinoneyearalonearguesforciblyforthefutureimpactofaproperly-resourcedeffort. 20connect2015LearningHubLimerickInCountyLimerickthereisaplacewhereartsciencemusichealthstoriesanddigitallearningforchildrenallcometogethertomakeupwhatisknownastheLearningHub.InadisadvantagedareaofLimerickwheresomeneighborhoodsseeonly6ofyoungpeopleprogresstoauniversityeducationinstillingaloveoflearningiskey.TheIrelandFundshaverecentlysupportedtheScienceHubbyfundingaScienceCoordinatorposition. 21connect201321connect2015WhoknowswhatstaticelectricityisasksScienceCoordinatorSeanOBrienofthe20childreninwhitelabcoatsvigorouslyrubbingballoonsononeanothersheadsgleefullymakingtheirhairstandonend.DidyouknowyouremakingstaticelectricityrightnowInitiallypilotedin2011withagroupof12primaryschoolchildrenwhoattendedafter-schoolworkshopsattheHubthescienceprogramhasgrownandextendeditsrangeofservices.WorkshopsareruntwiceaweekforchildrenalloverLimerickCountyandpartnershipswithlocaluniversitiesbringinvolunteersandstudentmentors.Thesementorsnotonlyassistinhands-onteachingbutprovidethechildrenwithrst-handexposuretosomeonereceivinga3rdleveleducation.Theagegroupbetweenages8-15isakeytimeexplainsLearningHubManagerJenniferMoroneyWard.Personaldevelopmenthappensalotofideasandaspirationsareformedorhopesaredashed.Werehereatthatcrucialtimetoprovidealearningexperi-encetheymightnototherwisereceive.ThegrantfromTheIrelandFundshasbeencrucialtogrowingtheSci-enceHub.Itwasinapilotphasewhenthen-studentSeanOBriencameonboardtoteachaspartofhisnalyearprojectattheUniversityofLimerick.NowthankstoTheIrelandFundsgranthehascomeonboardastheScienceCoordinatorandcandevotetimeandenergytoinstillingapassionforscienceinthechildrenthatattend.AlotofkidsinIrelanddropscienceafterrstyearinsecondaryschool.Theydontevengettodoittojuniorlevel.SowereheretotryandplugthatgapsaysJennifer.ThefundingwereceivedfromTheIrelandFundsallowedustoleverageevenmoresupport.ThatsarealkeyroleforIrelandFundsgrantsitsastampofapproval.WeweresuccessfulwithanothergrantapplicationafterwardsandifwehadntgottenthefundingfromTheIrelandFundsthatmightnothavehappened.Ittrulymadeusmoreattractivetootherfundingpartners.AndsointhemidstofmusiclessonsartclassescomputermodelsandhealthtutorialschildrenfromLimerickarealsolearningaboutwhathappenswhenyouinsertelectricalwiresintolemonsandhowkineticenergycanactuallybeexcit-ing.AsJennifersumsitupItisourjobtotellthestoryofhowwonderfulthesekidsareandwhatcanbeachieved.Theyareascapableoftakingonascienceexperimentasanyotherkidis.Itdoesntmatterwhattheiraddressisorwhatschooltheygoto.Theyhavethecapacitytogiveitago.OnTuesdayIdopianointheMusicHubandonWednesdayIdoArtHubintheartroom.AndtodayIdoScienceHubImdenitelygoingtocomeagainandagain.ALearningHubattendeeSeanOBrienScienceHubCoordinatorinstillshisloveofscienceattheLearningHub 22connect2015ChildrensWORKINGTOMAKEIRELANDONEOFTHEBESTPLACESINTHEWORLDTOBEACHILD.THEIRELANDFUNDSINVESTEDINTHEREPORTCARDIN2014.ITPROVIDEDUSWITHTHESUPPORTTHATWENEEDEDTORESEARCHPUBLISHANDEDUCATEONCHILDRENSWELFAREISSUES.THEIRELANDFUNDSNODOFAPPROVALALSOHELPEDUSTORAISEFUNDSFROMOTHERPHILANTHROPICBODIES.WECANNOTDELIVERWITHOUTMAINTAININGOURINDEPENDENTVOICEANDTHISISWHYTHEIRELANDFUNDSSUPPORTISSOCRITICALTOUS.AllianceRightsBYTANYAWARDCHIEFEXECUTIVEOFTHECHILDRENSRIGHTSALLIANCE 23connect2015butwestartsmall.WechangethelivesofallchildreninIrelandbymakingsurethattheirrightsarerespectedandprotectedinourlawspoliciesandservices.Wedontbelieveinbandaidsolutions.Wedontjusttreatthesymptoms.Wefocusondeliveringrealsystematicchangesthatwillhelpallchildren.Over100memberorganizationsworkingwithchildrencomeunderourumbrellaasaunitedvoiceadvocatingforIrelandsyoungpeople.Ourbiggestachievementtodatehasbeensecuringareferendumandhelpingtoleadasuccessfulnationalcampaignin2012tochangetheIrishConstitutionforchildren.WewereinstrumentalinsupportingtheGovernmenttoestablishanOmbudsmanforChildrenandattaininganendtothedetentionof16and17yearoldboysinunsafeadultprisons.Wehavesecuredthesechangesbyidentifyingproblemsforchildrenanddevelopingsolutions.Weeducateandprovideinfor-mationonchildrensrights.WeessentiallyencourageGovernmentandourparliamentarianstoputchildrenrst.OurAnnualReportCardisourtoolforidentifyingseriousissuesforchildrenandestablishinghowtheGovernmentisdeliver-ingonitsownpromisestochildrenowingfromtheProgramforGovernment.EachyeartheChildrensRightsAlliancesupportedbyapanelofindependentexpertsevaluatestheGovernmentscommitmentsintheareaofeducationhealthsocialsupportsprotectionfromabuseandneglectandfreedomfromdiscrimination.EachsectionisgradedfromA-Finthestyleofaschoolreportcard.InitssixthyeartheReportCardlaunchisnowamuchanticipatednationaleventwiththemediaandpoliticalstakeholdersinterestedinseeinghowwelltheGovernmentisdoingforchildren.Govern-mentDepartmentsinparticulartaketheReportCardveryseriously.InfacttheyevenreviewtheReportCardbeforewemakeitpublic.TheChildrensRightsAlliancewillbe20yearsoldin2015.Despiteourrecordofsuccesswestillhavealongwaytogo.TodayoneinninechildrenexperiencepovertymortalityratesforinfantTravellersourindigenousnomadicpopulationisnearlyfourtimeshigherthanthesettledpopulationandchildrenwithdisabilitiesexperiencehugedifcultiesinaccessingeducation.Howeverwearefortunatethattherearesomanyopportunitiesaheadtomakechildrenslivesbetter.IrelandwillbeexaminedbytheUNCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildonitsrecordforchildren.WewillbeconsultingnationallyinpreparationandwillsubmitamajorreportfortheUN.IntheyearthatIrelandcelebrates100yearssincethe1916Risingafrmingourindepen-dencewewillbeaskingifwecherishedallchildrenofthenationequally.WepromisedtoonthestepsofourGeneralPostOfceGPOwhentheproclamationwasreadoutbyIrishrevolutionaries.Wewillbeaskingandansweringthatquestionin2016.OURVISIONISBIG 24connect2015TheIrishWheelchairAssociationImprovingthelivesofpeoplewithphysicaldisabilitiesinIrelandNOWTHEN connect201525Irelandwasaverydifferentplaceforthosewithphysicaldisabilitiesandmobilitychallenges.GettingaroundinDublincitywasachallengeandthoseinruralareasoftenfacedevengreaterdifculties.ButasmallgroupofdedicatedwheelchairuserscametogethertofoundtheIrishWheelchairAssociationtoensurethatthequalityoflifeforthosewithmobilityissueswouldimproveandservicescouldincrease.TodaytheIrishWheelchairAssociationhas20000memberswithlimitedmobilityandisoneofIrelandsleadingsocialenterpris-es.Theyprovideover2millionhoursofserviceayeartopeoplewithdisabilitiesintheirhomesandcommunitiesthroughoutIreland.Thereachoftheorganizationisimpressive.Servicesrangefromassistedlivingtransporthousingemploymentandrehabili-tativetrainingforindependence.ActiveineverycountyofIrelandtheyalsoprovideyouthservicesrecreationalopportunitiesandaccessibleholidaysforcarersandpeoplewithphysicaldisabilitiesandtheirfamilies.WehavearolenotjusttoprovideservicesbutalsotobeavoiceexplainsCEOKathleenMcLoughlin.Wewillnevergiveuponinsistingthatthosewithdisabilitieshavearighttoliveafulllifethesameasanyoneelse.Kathleenispassionateaboutthebenetsofinclusionandwhatthatmeansintermsofaccess.ToexcludepeoplewithdisabilitiesistoexcludeawholepieceofIreland.Thereisabusinesscasearoundincludingpeoplewithdisabilities.Itshowedthat12-15ofthepopulationwithadisabilityalsohavemoneyintheirpocketstospend.Itssimpleifyourrestaurantorhotelisaccessiblepeoplewillcomeanddobusinesswithyou.Manypeoplewhohaveadisabilityarewell-educated.Theyarefantasticworkersandcontributorsineveryway.Butiftherearestructuralissuessuchastheycantgettoworkortheycantgetonabusortheycanthaveminimalsupportintheirhomestogetthemoutandabouttheyrelost.ButreallythatisIre-landsloss.TheIrishWheelchairAssociationiscommittedtoensuringthatIrelanddoesnothavealossbuthasagainfromthenumerouscontributionsthattheirmembersbring.WeareexcitedtonotonlyprovideservicestoourmembersbuteducatetheIrishpublicaroundthefactthatthesearepeoplewithlotsoftalentlotsofenergylotsofcreativityandlotstocontributeexplainsKathleen.Wedontseelimits.Weseeeveryonehavingthatcapacitytoliveaveryfulllifeandwhateverittakestoallowthemtodothatwerepreparedtoexplorethatwiththem.Itsassimpleasthatwechangelives.TheIrelandFundshavesupportedtheworkoftheIrishWheelchairAssociationwithagrantfortheirworkinLimerick.Arecentlyopenedcenterinthatareaisnowservingthecommunityandbringingservicesfromsporttojobtrainingunderasingleroofwhereasmemberspreviouslyhadtotraveltodifferentlocationsforthesameservices.TheIrelandFundsgrantwasthedifferenceintheendthatallowedustoopenthecentersaysKathleen.Becausewewouldhavehadtowaitseveralmonthsuntilwecouldraisethatmoneysome-whereelse.Thisisnotthekindofthingthatwenecessarilygetstatefundingforanymore.Wehaveambitiousplans.ItisthesupportofthoselikeTheIrelandFundsthatallowsustoachievethem.In1960 CommonVisionATHEIRELANDFUNDSSUPPORTCO-OPERATIONIRELANDINDELIVERINGAUNIQUEPEACEPROJECTINNORTHERNIRELANDconnect201526THEHISTORIC2012HANDSHAKEBETWEENHERMAJESTYTHEQUEENANDNORTHERNIRELANDSDEPUTYFIRSTMINISTERMARTINMCGUINNESS. 27connect2015ThisLEGaSIprojectwillinvolveidentifyingemergingleadersfromwithinthecommunityandsupportingthemintheirpersonaldevelopment.Thisincludesparticipatinginaseriesoflearningenvironmentsrangingfromchangemanagementtoauditingwhichwillenablethemgainnewskillsthatwillhelpthembecomemoreeffectiveinthecommunitiestheyrepresent.Acriticalelementoftheprojectwillbesupportingtheselocalcommunitiestodevelopacommonvisionofthefutureanddevelopsolutionstothechallengestheymayencounter.WhilstthisprojectisregardedassingleidentityitsimpactwillbefeltthroughoutthewholeofNorthernIrelandandbeyond.MoreinformedskilledinuencerswillbeabletoshapecommunitydevelopmentandbuildconstructiverelationshipwithstatutoryorganizationsandgroupsoutsidethecommunityincludingthosefromtheCatholicNationalistandRepublicancommunities.Inadditionitisenvisagedthatsocialinnovationswillemergeasaresultoftheproject.Thesewillcreateemploymentandeconomicgrowthinlocationsthathavesufferedgreatlyasaresultoflackofinvestmentandcondenceinthearea.IfthistypeofprojectistohavearealbearingitrequireslongtermsupportandthishasbeenrecognizedbyTheIrelandFunds.A1millioninvestmentillustratesthecommitmenttobuildingabetterfutureforall.theinterveningyearsithasexpandedandbeenattheforefrontofimprovingrelationsbetweenthetwomainreligiouscommuni-tieslivingontheisland.WhilstthemainfocusofCo-operationIrelandsworkhasbeenattheheartoflocalcommunitiesithasalsobeeninstrumentalinfacilitatingsomeofthehighestprolereconciliationgesturestheworldhasseenincludingthehandshakebetweenHerMajestyTheQueenandNorthernIrelandsdeputyFirstMinisterMartinMcGuinness.AsaresultCo-operationIrelandhasareputationasanorganizationthatcaneffectpositivechangeinpeoplesbehaviorsandattitudes.Thisisborneoutinthelocationandtypeofpeace-buildingprojectstheydeliverwhereresearchshowstherehasbeenareductioninanti-socialandsectarianactivityaswellasmarkedimprovementsinprojectparticipantsperceptionofpeoplefromtheotherreligiouscommunity.HoweverCo-operationIrelandhasalsorecognizedthatmanyinNorthernIrelandsocietyinparticularsectionsoftheProtestantcommunityarenotatthestagewheretheycanundertakereconciliationworkwithpeoplefromanotherreligiousidentity.Thereasonsarevariedbutincludelackofinfrastructureleadershipandresources.NowwithsupportfromTheIrelandFundsCo-operationIrelandhasestablishedanewprojectLEGaSILearningEngagementGrowthandSuccessionInterventionLeadershipwhichseekstoaddresstheissueofweakinfrastructurewithinProtestantUnionistLoyalistPULcommunitiesandempowerthemtocreateandbuildaprogressiveandpositivefuture.THIRTY-FIVEYEARSAGOCO-OPERATIONIRELANDFORMERLYCO-OPERATIONNORTHWASSETUPWITHTHEAIMOFBUILDINGBETTERECONOMICANDSOCIALLINKAGESBETWEENTHEPEOPLEOFNORTHERNIRELANDANDOFTHEREPUBLICOFIRELAND.In 28connect2015THISLEGaSIPROJECTWILLINVOLVEIDENTIFYINGEMERGINGLEADERSFROMWITHINTHECOMMUNITYANDSUPPORTINGTHEMINTHEIRPERSONALDEVELOPMENT. AnneHeratyCEOCplResourcesplc.t016146116eanne.heratycpl.ieContactusformoreinformationonhowwecanhelpyourbusinessadapt.AdaptabilityStaffingSolutionsforDynamicOrganisationsCplisaglobalIrishcompanyworkingwithlocalcustomersandmultinationalsthroughanetworkof36officesacross9countries.Astheeconomygrowsorganisationsneedtoplantheirstaffingandresourcingstrategiescarefully.CpladapttoourclientsevolvingtalentacquisitionchallengesthroughablendedportfolioofservicesScalingfornon-coreheadcountprojectsPermanentRecruitmentContractingTemporaryRecruitmentOutsourcedRecruitmentHRBusinessSupportServices 30connect2015inspirespeoplewithParkinsonsTOGETUPDANCEMove4ParkinsonsWhenMargaretMagsMullarneywasdiagnosedwithParkinsonsdiseaseatage47sheknewnothingaboutthedisease.ThroughhervoraciousresearchanddrivetolearnaboutthesymptomssheandotherswereexperiencingsheconnectedwithresearchersscientistsandmembersoftheParkinsonscommunityaroundtheworld.ThisledtoherfoundingMove-4ParkinsonswhichnowworkstoimprovethequalityoflifeofthosewithParkinsonsthroughself-managementandarangeofholisticactivitiesthatincludedanceandsong.TheIrelandFundsprovidedagranttosupportthedancetherapyprogramhostedbyMove4ParkinsonsandcaughtupwithMagstolearnmoreaboutthisunusualapproachtomanagingthedisease. 31connect2015MagswhydidyoufoundMove4ParkinsonsWhenIwasrstdiagnosedIknewnothingaboutit.Ithoughtitwasanolderpersonsdisease.PeopleeventoldmenottoresearchtoomuchbecauseIwouldbeterriedatwhatIwouldnd.ButasImovedforwardIrealizedtherewasagapinIrelandbetweenhowthediseasewasbeingtreatedandtheuseofaholisticapproach.Sowedevelopedthe5elementsframeworkwhichisaboutmedicationawarenessexercisenutritionemotionalwellbeingandothertreatments.Anditwasimportanttostatethatwerenotthediseaseandwerenotthesymptoms.HowmanypeoplehaveParkinsonsinIrelandTherearesomeroughestimates.Someguressaytherearebetween10500and12000.Anditlookslikethatsnearlygoingtodoubleinthenextcoupledecades.Soitsveryconcerningandneedstobemanagedproperly.Thediseasehasahugeeffectonfamilies.If12000peoplehaveParkinsonsinIrelandandatleastanother60000familymembersthats72000touchedbythedisease.ThatsthesizeofthecityofGalway.Soyouoffersetdanceandyouhaveachoirthathasbeennationallyrecognized.OtherthanagreatcommunityexperiencewhatdoesthisdoforthosewithParkinsonsWhatsimportantabouttheworkthatwedowithsetdancingandchoiristhatitisallbackedbyevidence-basedresearch.Thesearenotjustforfunsinginganddancing.Thepurposeofthechoiristohelpthevoicebecauseyourphysicalvoicegoeswiththeprogres-sionofParkinsons.TheresearchintosetdancingforpeoplewithParkinsonswascarriedoutbyItalianProfessorDanielVolpe.Heprovedthatithasthepotentialtoimprovemobilityreducedisabilityandenhancehealthrelatedqualityoflife.Forusitsalsoaboutmakingachangeandtakingastepoutintotheworldtodoexercisewhichanawfullotofpeopledontdo.HowhaveTheIrelandFundshelpedthisworkTheIrelandFundsarehugelyimportantandhavehelpedustransformscienticresearchintorealworldapplications.AswehavenogovernmentfundingwithouttheIrelandfundswecouldnthaveprogressedfromourpilotlastJanuarytotwopermanentsetdancingclassesforpeoplewithParkinsons.GrantslikeyoursareinvaluableandhaveadirectimpactonthelivesofthosewithParkinsons.Tellusabouttheclasses.Theresarealenergyandvitalityattheclasses.TheyreledbyPatODeaafantasticsetdancingteacherspecializinginParkinsonsprograms.ItssoessentialtohavesomeonelikePatwhoisnotonlytrainedtoteachpeoplewithParkinsonsbutisalsoabletorelatetoandgainthetrustofparticipants.Wekick-offwithseatedexercisesdoingvariousdifferentroutinestofeeltherhythmofthemusicandwarmouroftendisconnectedbodies.WethengetonourfeettodoindividualSean-Nsold-stylesteps.AstheclassmovesonPatgetsusdancingproperIrishSetsingroupswithpeoplewithParkinsonspairedwiththosewhodonthaveit.ItsanunbelievablefeelingseeingeveryoneupdancingtogetherbytheendoftheclasswhethertheyhaveParkinsonsornoteveryonejustcomesalivewithit.MagswhatsnextforMove4ParkinsonsThisorganizationissoimportant.WewouldseethisasaplatformforallchronicillnessesnotjustParkinsons.Weseetheimportanceofcommunity.AndtheunderstandingofdisabilityinIrelandisreallyimportant.SopeopleunderstandingthatwearenottheproblemwerestillinsocietyandthatwehaveahugeamounttogiveandwereallywanttocreatethatworldthatunderstandsParkinsons.ItsnotjustIrelandthatsgoingtobenetfromtheworkweredoing.Webelieveitisabenetthatcanbesharedworldwide.Researchhasshownthatsetdancingcanbemorebenefcialthanstandardphysio-therapyparticularlyindealingwithsymptomssuchasFreezingGaitBalanceMotorDisability.IrishsetdancingwasdiscoveredtobebenefcialorpeoplewithParkinsonsollowingachancediscoverybyDr.DanieleVolpeanItalianneurologistwhileonholidaysinIrelandin2010.OnhisreturntoItalyheundertookresearchwhichprovedthephysicalbenefts.In2014Move4Parkinsonscommencedpi-lotclasseswith30participantstaughtbyIrishsetdancingteacherPatODeawhohasbeentrainedinDr.Volpesmethodology.Icomeforthemusicandtherhythm.Connectingwiththemusicreactivatesthememoryoftheweekbefore.Move4ParkinsonsparticipantinsetdancingQQQQQQMargaretMagsMullarneyFounderofMove4Parkinsons musiceducationforchildrenacrossirelandmusicgenerationisirelandsnationalmusiceducationprogramthathelpschildrenandyoungpeopleaccessarangeofhighqualityvocalandinstrumentaltuitionintheirlocalarea.todatetheprogramhasreachedover20000childrenandyoungpeopleacross12areasofthecountry.jobopportunitieshavebeencreatedfor250musicians.over60diverseandexcitingmusicprogramsarebeingdeliveredin300differenttuitioncentresaroundthecountry.initiatedbymusicnetworkmusicgenerationhasbeenseedfundedbya7mphilanthropicdonationbyu25mandtheirelandfunds2mfrom2010-2015.buildingupontheprinciplesofphilanthropywhichseektoachievelongtermsustainableoutcomesmusicgenerationhasworkedcloselywithlocalmusiceducationpartnershipsandgovernmentsinceitsinitiation.injuly2014thedepartmentofeducationandskillsjoinedwiththelocalmusiceducationpartnerstoco-fundtheprogram.musicgenerationisanextraordinaryexampleofapartnershipbetweentheprivatesectortheirishgovernmentandlocalfundingpartnerswhichisbringingaboutmomentouschangeinmusiceducationinireland.32connect2015 ComposedbyBrianIrvineandveyoungSligocomposerstheconcertseaturedover200youngmusiciansandsingersinawonderulensembleperormance.musicgenerationcorkcityoperates14programsacross32citywideurbancentersoferingavarietyoworkshopsandperormancestoover1400participants.A2014highlightwastheperormancebytheBarrackSt.YouthBandoaPresidentialSaluteortheentranceoPresidentMichaelD.HigginsattheGalaConcertintheNationalConcertHallDublin.musicgenerationlaoisUilleannPipersStampedeDrummersandSchooloRockandPopimpressedvisitorsatthepackedNationalPloughingChampionshipsinSeptember.MusicGenerationLaoisinnovativemusictuitionprogramorchildrenandyoungpeoplewithspecialneedshasproventobehugelysuccessulwithprogramsoperatinginschoolsacrossthecounty.musicgenerationwicklowsextraordinaryChoralMusicProgramjoinedorceswiththeRTSymphonyOrchestratoperormBlueBottleaspeciallycommissionedpiecebyBrianIrvineeaturingover500youngsingersanimationandspokenwordtoapackedBordGisEnergyTheatreinNovember.20youngWicklowMusicGenerationparticipantsalsoperormedNeilMartinsVanishedLandsintheNationalConcertHallinOctoberaspartotheNationalConerence.MusicGenerationrecentlyhostedover200delegatesinDublinoraspecialMusicEducationConerenceandapackedGalaConcertwithover400youngpeopleperorminginthepresenceoPresidentMichaelD.HigginsattheNationalConcertHall.MusicGenerationisgoingromstrengthtostrengthwithtwonewadditionstothelocalpartnershipsinClareandSouthCountyDublin.HereisaselectionosomeothelatestinitiativesandhighlightsromthelocalMusicEducationPartnershipsmusicgenerationlouthhaslaunchedthepublicationSonglinesanewcollectionotenchildrenssongscelebratingthegrowingculturaldiversityothecountywhilethePipeUproadshowacounty-wideinitiativeoMGLouthinassociationwithNaPobairUilleannhasbeenestablishedtopromoteuilleannpipeteaching.musicgenerationmayospartnerMayoCountyLibrarywontheprestigiousBestLibraryService2014AwardortheMusicInstrumentLendingScheme.20awardsweregrantedtoyoungmusiciansundertheExceptionalMusicStudentBursaryScheme.musicgenerationsligopresentedtwocosmicperormancesoBigBangtopackedhousesattheHawksWellTheatreSligoandaspartotheGalaConcertattheNationalConcertHallinOctober.2014hasbeenanamazingyearformusicgeneration33connect2015 Over2000childrenandyoungpeoplearecurrentlyparticipat-inginmusicgenerationoffalywestmeathsprogramsandinitiativesacrossthemidlands.OneothisyearshighlightswereperormancesbyparticipantsatthesoldoutElectricPicnicmusicestivalinStradbally.musicgenerationclarewasociallylaunchedinNovemberlastyearwithaspecialconcertoyoungmusiciansperormingalongsideMusicGenerationClarespatronMauraOConnell.Over700childrenarealreadyparticipatingintheEscalationsingingprogramwithaseriesoconcertsandperormancesscheduledoverthecomingmonths.OneothemorerecentPartnershipsmusicgenerationsouthdublinalreadyhasover500childrenandyoungpeopleparticipatingthroughaprogramobandensemblechoraldevelopmentandmusictechnologyworkshops.MusicGenerationSouthDublinalsolauncheditsInstrumentPurchaseSchemetoenableyoungensemblesschoolbandsyouthgroupsclubsandyouthbandstopurchaseawiderangeomusicalinstruments.musicgenerationcarlowhasjustlauncheditsrstcounty-wideInstrumentBank.WiththeassistanceothreelocallibrariesCarlowBorrisandTullowchildrenandyoungpeoplecanborrowamusicalinstrument.Theinstrumentsonoferincludecellodoublebasstrombonetrumpetviolinviolaconcertutesaxophoneclarinetukuleleguitarbodhrnconcertinaandaccordion.musicgenerationlimerickcityhashadaparticularlybusyyearwithaspecialprogramtomarkLimericksdesignationasIrelandsirstNationalCityoCulture.TheMusGenExpressBusamobileperormancespacerecordingstudioandoutsideestivalstagehasgeneratedhugeattentionandprovidedanopportunityorthousandsoyoungpeopletoperormandrecordtheirownmusic.LimerickVoicesaspecialMusicGenerationandArtsCouncilPartnershipProgrammeeaturingyoungsongwritersworkingwithestab-lishedartistsincludingDelorentosandNoelHoganguitaristandsongwriteroTheCranberriesculminatedinaspecialliveeventattheLimerickSchooloArtandDesign.keepuptodateonwhatshappeninginmusicgenerationbyfollowingusontwittermus_genorfacebook.www.musicgeneration.ie34connect2015 presidentoirelandmichaeld.higginsalongwithchairmanotheamericanirelandundjohnftzpatrickandpresidentceootheworldwideirelandundskieranmcloughlinattendedthemusicgenerationgalaconcertindublinatwhichover400youngparticipantsperormed.connect201535 36connect2015In2013asAdamHarriswaspreparingtostudyatUniversityCollegeDublinhetookasharpturntowardsocialentrepreneurship.DiagnosedwithAspergersSyndromeasayoungchildAdamwaswell-versedintheneedsofthoseontheAutismspectrumyetkeenlyawarethattheresourcesavailabletotheAutismcommunityinIrelandwerelessthanoptimal.SoAdamputschoolonholdandstartedtheAsIAmwebsite.AsIAm.iehasnowseenthousandsofvisitorsandhasbecomethepremiereresourceforthosewithAutismandtheirfamilies.TheIrelandFundsareassistingAsIAmwithagranttohelprolloutanawarenessprogramaboutAutisminIrishschools.HereAdamtellsinhisownwordswhatlivingwithAutismislikeandwhathisdreamsareforasocietyofinclusionandfullunderstanding.ASIAMAdamHarrisCreatesaOne-Stop-ShopforThoseinIrelandAffectedbyAutismAdamHarrisfounderofAsIAm connect201537Theroadislongbutwearecommittedtoworkingtowardsthenext100years.WehopethatwiththehelpofTheIrelandFundswewillseeadynamicinclusivesocietywherepeoplewithAutismcanmakeapositivecontributionandplayafullandactivepart.Youstepoffyourrocketandeverysmelleverynoiseeverytextureeventheatmospherefeelstotallyunfamiliarunpleasantandevenscary.Imagineyoumeetyourrstalienandyouaretryingreallyhardtocommunicatewithhimtobefriendhimbutyoucantreadhisfacialexpressionorbodylanguageyoudontknowifhewantstobetakenliterallyorifheisjokingifheisangryorifheiswelcomingyou.Yethemakesnoeffortwhatsoevertotryandcommunicateinawayinwhichyoucanunderstand.Youarenotnecessarilylessintelligentthananyoneelsebutthewayyoulearnandfunctionistotallydifferenttothealienpopulationaroundyou.Inthealienworkplaceyoujoinyousimplycannotcopeandyoudontreceivemuchsupportyoufeelyourcolleaguesexcludeyouisolateyouandsometimesareevenmeantoyou.NowunderstandthisiswhatmanypeoplewithAutisminIrelandfaceeveryday.PeoplewithAutismarebornwithadisabilitypeoplewithAutismstrugglewithsocialcommunicationinteractionandimaginationandndsensoryprocessingdifcult.Autismisahugespectrumwithawidevari-etyoftraitsstrengthsandchallenges.NotwopeoplewithAutismarethesameandmanyalsohaveadditionalconditions.ThatsaidpeoplewithAutismworkveryhardjusttofunctioninsoci-etyeverydayandyetsocietyoftenplaysakeyfactorindisablingpeoplewiththeconditionthroughnothavingenoughknowledgeorshowingenoughunderstandingthroughunderestimatingpeoplewiththeconditionornotmakingallowancesorshowingunderstandingforwhereapersonsneedslie.Tosumituptheyseealabelnotapersonorignoringtheneedsalltogether.ThisiswhyIsetupAsIAm.ieIrelandsonlineonestopshopfortheAutismcommunitywhichworkstoempowerfamiliesaffectedbyAutismandeducatethegeneralpublictounderstandAutismbetter.IestablishedAsIAm.iebecauseattheageof5IwasdiagnosedwithAspergersSyndromeaconditiononthehigh-functioningendoftheAutismSpectrum.Iwasfortunatetobenetfromearlyinterventionthoughandafter3yearsinSpecialEducationwasintegratedintomainstreameducationaged8.BythetimeIwas16IwantedtodosomethingtogivebacktotheAutismcommunity.Ihadjustbegantosocial-izemyselfandyetwastakenabackbytheattitudemanypeoplehadtowardstheinvisibleconditionwhichisAutismmanypeoplewerewell-intentionedbutpatronisingwhileotherssimplysawaproblemnotaconditionandhadquitenegativeattitudes.Thisperhapsexplainswhy50ofpeoplewithAutismarebulliedinschool80willstruggletondworkafterschoolandthereisa4timeshigherrateofself-harminthecommunity.IsetupAsIAmtobringalltheknowledgeandpersonalstoriesaroundAutismintooneplacesopeoplewithAutismtheirfami-liesandprofessionalsupporterswouldknowtheyarenotaloneandcouldinsteadsharetheultimateexpertiseexperience.HoweverIalsoknewwecoulddomuchmorethanthatifwegavethecommunityavoiceinshapingAutismadvocacywecouldbringthisdirecttotheIrishpublic.IoftensaythattheproblemisntAutismitisPontiusPilateSyndrometheattitudethatthegovernmentormedicalresearchersaretheonlygroupswithresponsibilityforAutismbutweknowthatnoamountofmoneyorresearchbyitselfwillchangetheworldforthebetterwemustchangeheartsandminds.Wehavebeendelightedwiththeresponsewehavereceivedtodate.WehavedoneahugeamountofoutreachworkwithlocalvoluntarysupportgroupssettingupaLiaisonOfcerNetworkwhichbringslocalconcernstouswhichwecanraiseawarenessofonournationalplatform.WeareheavilysupportedbyLionsClubsInternationalwhohaveboughtintothisvisionsincethetimeIbeganmywork3yearsagoandwererecentlyawardedaSocialEntrepreneursIrelandElevateAwardwhichwillhelpusbringourworktothenextlevelwhichwillrequirefundingandscaling.IamalsoluckytohaveastrongsupportiveBoardofDirectorsallprofessionalswithawealthofexperienceinvariouseldsandexperienceofAutism.AsIAmisnowrollingeducationandtrainingprogramsoutaroundIreland.WiththesupportofTheIrelandFundswehavedevelopedaprogramforSec-ondarySchoolstudentswhichwillreach100schoolsin2015.OurworkshophighlightsthatstudentswithAutismarestudentsrstjustwithdifferences.StudentsarechallengedtotakeresponsibilityfortheissueandproduceandsignacharterformakingtheirschoolmoreAutism-friendly.WeworkinadvanceoftheworkshoptogaugetheknowledgeofstudentsandalsotofindoutanyissuesaroundAutismwhichalreadyexistintheschool.50speakersallmembersoftheAutismcommunityhavenowbeentrainedtodeliverthisprogram.Wewillworkwithschoolstoimplementthesepositiveideasintheirschools.Thisprogramwilldevelopfurtherandovertimebebroughttobothprimaryschoolsandtoeverysecondaryschool.Thisisonlythebeginningin2015wewilllaunchAsWeAreacommunityprogramwherewechallengetownsandindividualstakeholderstolearnandadaptforAutism.OnourrstbirthdayinMarchwewilllaunchaprogramtoeducateandtrainemployerstoseepossibleemployeeswithAutismasassetsinsteadofhasslesandtounderstandtheircustomerswiththecondition.AdamHarrisFounderofAsIAmImagineinthemorningarrivinginanalienplanet. 38connect2015CelebrationConservationEducationOndublinssouthwilliamstreettheirishgeorgiansocietyispreservingirelandsricharchitecturalhistoryinpartnershipwiththeirelandfunds. connect201539DonoughCahillExecutiveDirectorIrishGeorgianSociety TheIrishGeorgianSocietyIGSchampionstheprotectionofIrelandsarchitecturalanddecorativeartsheritagewhichtogetherformanessentialpartofthecountrysrichculturalpatrimony.HereIrishGeorgianSocietyExecutiveDirectorDonoughCahillexplainswhysupportforthatheritageissokey.TheSocietywasfoundednearlysixtyyearsagoandtodayisbusierthaneverwitharangeofeducationalscholarlyandconservationprograms.Itsthrivingmember-shipandChaptersaroundIrelandinLondonandinChicagoDallasNewYorkandPalmBeachenjoylecturestoursandspecialeventstosupporttheseinitiativesandoneofitsmostambitiousprojectstodatetherestorationofthemagni-centCityAssemblyHouseaneighteenth-centurybuildingofnationalarchitecturalandhistoricimportanceasanewhead-quartersandculturalvenueinthehistoricheartofDublin.cityassemblyhousethehistoricheartofdublinFormuchof200yearsthisgemofIrishGeorgianarchitec-turesatunusedforitsoriginalintenttoeducateandshowcasetheworkofIrishartists.ItisthehistoricheartofDublinandtheIGSisundertakingafullrestorationofthebuildingtoitsfullpotential.SituatedinoneofthecitysmostvibrantareaswithrestaurantscoffeeshopsandboutiquestoresliningitsstreetsandlanewaystheCityAssemblyHousehasbeenhometotheIrishGeorgianSocietysinceMay2013whenitcompletedtherstofatwopartrestorationofthebuilding.Thisimportantconservationinitiativeisbeingunder-takenwiththesupportofDublinCityCouncilandthroughthegenerosityofsupportersinIrelandandtheUSA.TheIrishGeorgianSocietysUSmembersTheIrelandFundsandtheJeromeL.GreeneFoundationhavebeenparticularlysupport-iveandthecompletionoftheprojectwillrepresentatriumphfortheircommitmenttoIrelandsbuiltheritage.Since2013theSocietyhasbeenonafantasticjour-neyduringwhichithashostedartexhibitionsmusicalandtheatricalperformancesandeducationaleventswhichto-getherhavedrawntensofthousandsofvisitorstothebuilding.Thesehugelysuccessfuleventshavesetthesceneforthecompletionoftherestorationprojectby2016whichwillseethetransformationoftheCityAssemblyHousefromavacantrundownshelltoavibrantcenterofculture.educationprogramsTheIrishGeorgianSocietyengagesinawiderangeofeducationalactivitiesonanationwidebasisandalwayslookstoinvolvelocalorganizationstoensureitreachesasbroadanaudienceaspossible.TheIrishGeorgianSocietyseducationalprogramsareavitalpartofitsworkandplaceitinaleadingroleasalocalandnationalvoiceforIrelandsheritage.InpromotingtheconservationofhistoricbuildingstheSocietyrunslecturescoursesandexhibitionsandthisyearpart-neredwitharangeofcountyandcitycouncilsinthisregard.InhighlightingIrelandsdecorativeartsheritagetheSocietyorganizesstudydayswhichhaverecentlyfocusedonWestportHouseCo.MayoinpartnershipwithWestportTownCouncilandonthelosthistoricparklandsaroundtheexquisiteCasinoatMarinowhichwasheldbytheOfceofPublicWorks.Jointwinnersofthe2014IrishGeorgianSocietyArchitecturalConservationAwardsBlackrockInstituteofFurtherEducationCo.DublinandtheTheGuild-hallDerryLondonderryJeremyIronswhodeliveredatalkonhisrestorationofKilcoeCastleCo.CorkwithconservationspecialistGeorgeOMalleyatthe2014IGSTraditionalBuildingSkillsExhibitioninLimerick.40connect2015 TheDanielOConnellRoomCityAssemblyHouse.restoredwiththesupportoftheJeromeLGreeneFoundationDescribingArchitectureintheKnightofGlinExhibitionRoomCityAssemblyHouseduringOpenHouse2014.orthosethathaveanenthusiasmforirelandsculturalheritagetheirishgeorgiansocietyofferstheopportunitytoconserveandcelebratetheseuniquearchitecturalfacetsofireland.Fconnect201541 42connect2015TheWashington-IrelandProgramFosteringemergingleaderscommittedtopeaceandprosperityinNorthernIrelandandIrelandFormorethantwodecadestheWashington-IrelandProgramWIPhasengagedemergingstudentleadersfromacrosstheislandofIrelandinavisionaryleadership-buildingprogram.WIPiscommittedtoovercomingdivisionsofthepastandempoweringpresentandfutureleaderswithskillsandinsightstobuildasharedfutureofpeaceandprosperityforNorthernIrelandandIreland.WashingtonIrelandProgramtheclassof2014 connect201543TheIrelandFundshavebeenalong-standingsupporterofWIPamodelforpost-conictdevelopmentthathelpsyoungpeoplecol-laboratetoaddressunderlyingissuesinNorthernIreland.BryanPattenWIPsExecutiveDirectorexplainsThesupportofTheIrelandFundshasenabledWIPtobringtogetheremergingleadersfromallcommunitiestoreectonthefuturetheywantforNorthernIrelandandtogivethemtheskillstomakeithappen.EachyearWIPselectsadiversegroupof30emerg-ingleaderstojoinourcommunity.Ensuringthediversityofprogramparticipantsgeographicallysocioeconomi-callyandotherwiseisapriorityatleastone-thirdofparticipantscomefromdisadvantagedbackgroundsandreceivefullscholarships.Theyear-longprogramofpersonalandprofes-sionaldevelopmentbringsoutstandingcollegestudentsfromNorthernIrelandandtheRepublicofIrelandtoWashingtonDCforsummerworkplacementsandleadershiptraining.Throughanintenseeight-weekscheduleinWashingtonDCWIPparticipantsareformedintoateamandchallengedtodeveloptheirvisionforthefutureofpost-conictNorthernIrelandandIreland.Amodelforpost-conictdevelopmentWIPswell-respectedprogramofleadershiptrainingandservicehassuccessfullydevelopedadiversealum-nigroupof550.WIPsalumniarepracticedandaccomplishedambassadorswithvaryingviewpointsbuttheyhaveasharedcommitmenttomovebeyondtheirdifferencestoresolvethepressingissuesthatwilldenetheislandofIrelandinthe21stCentury.WIPsalumniarenowemerginginleadershiprolesinpositionsthatcutacrossawiderangeofsectorsincludingpublicservicelawbusinesscommunicationsandmediaeducationtechnologytheartsandnonprots.Manymem-bersoftheWIPcommunityareactivelyparticipatinginthecurrentNorthernIrelandpeacetalksandotherrelatedinitiatives.EmmaPengellygraduatedfromWIPin2002andisnowtheSpecialAdvi-sortotheFirstMinisterofNorthernIrelandPeterRobinsonMLA.RecallingtheimpactofWIPonhercareerEmmanotesthatTheWashingtonIrelandProgramreallyopenedmymindandeyestotheopportunitiesthatpeoplecantaketoactuallymakeadiffer-encenotjustasanelectedrepresentativebutinallthedifferentrolesonCapitolHillorinDCallcontributingtotryingtomakepeopleslivesbetter.ChrisJohnstonwasastudentontheWIPClassof2001andisnowabusinessleaderinBelfast.Chrisisthefounderofthefastgrowingtechstart-upAdoreboard.comwhichmeasureshowpeoplefeelaboutbrandsonline.Heispartofanewstart-upsceneinBelfastbringingnewjobstoNorthernIreland.WIPchallengesyouinsomanywaysandprovidesanopportunitytobeinspired.TheideaofservantleadershipisacorevalueofWIP.Itisaboutallowingpeopletoremovebarriersthatstandintheirwaytoachievetheirgreatnessintheirparticulareld.DevelopingandsupportingacommunityofleadersandinuentialsupportersfromdiversebackgroundswhoarecommittedtoapeacefulprosperousandsharedfutureforNorthernIrelandandIreland.Creatingopportunitiesfornewthinkingtoaddresssubstantivelong-termissuesthroughthoughtfulreasonednegotiationandrespectfuldialogue.Supportingindividualsandcommunitiestotakenewactiontondpracticalandprincipledsolutionstochallengesfacingtheislandtoday.Havinginvestedinourcommunityfor20yearsWIPcontinuestoinvestinthefutureofNorthernIrelandandIrelandby TinsleyOrla44connect2015OrlaTinsleyisamulti-talentedadvocateandwriterwhowasselectedforahighly-selectivewritingscholarshipatColumbiaUniversityinNewYork.OrlaalsosuffersfromCysticFibrosis.CysticFibrosisisIrelandsmostcommongeneticallyinheritedillness.Itaffectsover1100peopleinIreland30000intheUnitedStatesand70000worldwide.Theillnessaffectsthelungsanddigestivesystemcausingabuild-upofmucusthatmakesiteasytocatchbacteriaandcanmakeitdifculttobreathe.ColumbiaUniversityisnotonlyknownforitsprestigiouswritingprogrambutalsoforitsstate-of-the-artmedicalcenterdedicatedtoCysticFibrosistreatmentandcareandsoOrlasattendancethereisideal.HereinOrlasownwordssheshareswithConnectreadersherdeterminationtocreatechangeandthepowerofphilanthropicsupport.TheIrelandFundsareproudtosupportOrlainthejourneythathasbroughtherfromDublintoNewYork.CrusaderforCysticFibrosisAwareness connect201545whohascometotheUnitedStatesafterreceivingascholarshiptostudyCreativeWritingMFAatColumbiaUniversity.MyworkathomefocusesontheprovisionofcareforpeoplewithCysticFibrosisCFandalsoonLGBTissues.IbeganworkingonimprovingservicesforpeoplewithCFwhenat18yearsofageIfoundmyselfinanorthapedicwardatSt.VincentsHospitalinDubinforcareofmyownCF.Adailyregimeofmedicationaerosolsandpillshelpkeepmeontopofmygame.ThesamemonthImovedtoadultservicesThePollackreportwaspublishedsayingthatCFcareinIrelandwasatadanger-ouslevelofneglect.ThemainissueforpeoplewithCFiscrossinfection.Weareatahighriskofcontractingwhateverisoatingaroundwhetheritsacoldorsomethingelseandunliketheaveragepersonitusuallyturnsintosomethinglikepneumoniaveryquicklyandcausesanaggressivereactionthatleadstolungdamageandpossiblydeath.Thereforeproperisolationfacilitesarevital.AfellowpatientintheorthapedicwardbesidemeonmyfirstadmissiontoSt.VincentsHospitalhappenedtobethemotherofajournalistwhoworkedforTheIrishTimes.Ihadbeenconstructingalettertothepaperaboutthesituationafterexperiencingthehor-rorofanAccidentandEmergencydeparmentsharedwithsomeonewhohadthesuperbugMRSA.Iendedupwritingapiecefortheteensectionofthepaperandtheeditorthenaskedtoturnitintoamainfeaturebecauseoftheseverityofthesituation.Thatwasin2005.SincethenIhaveworkedwritingpiecesdoinginterviewsmeetingwithMinistersforHealthpolicymakersandotheradvocates.Itbecamemymissioninlifetoseeaproperfunctioning34-bedensuiteadultunitopenedatthenationalreferralcentreforCysticFibrosisinDublin.Inearly2008IwroteapieceforTheIrishTimesthatgarneredattentionfromlocalmedia.ForthersttimemanyotherpeoplewithCFfeltcomfortablesharingtheirstoriesandspeakingoutthroughthemediumofradio.ForthersttimeInolongerfeltaloneinthebattle.Therewassup-portanditwasplenty.Atthebeginningof2010thebuildingwenttoconstruction.Attheendof2011IpublishedamemoiraboutthecampaignjourneyandlivingwithCFinIreland.InJuly2012theadultCysticFibrosisunitopenedatSt.VincentsHospital.Thereare100ensuitebedsinthebuildingthatwasbuiltalsoprovidingisolationroomsforpeopledealingwithcancerandotherillnesseswhereisolationandprivacyareneeded.Itsnotperfectandwedidnotgetasmanybedsasweneededbut20inpatientbedsand10outpatientroomsisagreatplacetobegin.Icontinuedworkingonhumanrightsissuesandin2013receivedtheGALAJournalistBroadcasteroftheYearawardformyworkonTransgenderhealthcareissuesinIrelandandtheCMGOutstandingContributionawardformyworkongettingthenewCys-ticFibrosisdrugKalydecotoIrelandaftertheNationalCentreforPharmacoeconomicsrejecteditduetoitshighcost.ThedrugwastherstcreatedthattreatsthecauseandnotjustthesymptomsofCysticFibrosis.Ithasbeensoeffectivethatpeoplehaveseenphenomenalincreasesinhealthandsomehavebeentakenofflungtransplantlists.Theyweredyingbutnowtheyarelivingagain.In2013Iwasluckytobeoneofthe1000peoplerandomlyselectedtopartakeinadrugtrialforthesametypeoftreatmentthatworksforawidepopulationofpeoplewithCF.Ihavenowbeenontherealdealfor11months.WhiletheresultsarenotasstrongastherstdrugitwilltakeafewmoreyearsforthiscombinationdrugtogettothatlevelIhavebeenbetterthanusual.Itsbeenelevenmonthsoffewerinfectionsnolungcollapsesandlessaggressivelungbleeds.WhileIusuallyworkedthroughthosethingsithadbeguntotakeitstollonme.NowIhavebeeninvigoratedwithanewenergy.ThatenergyallowedmethegustotoapplytoColumbiaandIwasthrilledtobeacceptedandofferedthescholarship.HoweverthisincrediblenewadventurewouldnotbepossiblewithoutthesupportofTheAmericanIrelandFundforwhichIameternallygrateful.Iama27yearoldcampaignerandjournalistfromIrelandSomethingchangedinthenationaldiscourcethatJanuary.TaxidriversweretalkingtomeaboutthelackofcareforpeoplewithCFinthecountry.Womenwereapproachingmeinsupermarketsaskingwhattheycoulddotohelp.TransitionYearstudentsofferedtowritetoMinistersaspartoftheirworkloadfortheyear.CommunitiesstartedtopulltogetherallacrossIrelandforCFandithasntstopped.FamiliesandfriendsputenergyandtimeintotheunitinDublinbutalsointoimprovingservicesaroundthecountry.Theirhardworkhasseenincredibleresults.Aftermanyfalsestartsthingshadbeguntochange.In2008eightinterimensuiteroomsweredeliveredandworkwastobeginontheAdultCFunitin2009.ThatsameyearIwasnamedYoungPersonoftheYearonnationaltelevision.In2009thefundingfortheunitwaspulledagain.WhenIheardIhadjustarrivedhomefromcollegeafterhearingthatmyfriendHeatherhaddiedfromCF.JusttwoweeksearlierourmutualfriendLousiehadpassedaway.Bothwomenwerethersttwotojoininthebattletheyearbeforeonliveradioandtheywerebothnotoriouslyprivateindividuals.IimmediatelywroteapieceforTheIrishTimesaboutwhathadhappenedandthenIarrivedattheTVstudiolisteningtothevoicesofmyfriendswhohadfuelledthecampaigntheyearbefore.Ninedayslaterjustafteranappearanceonanothertelevisionshowthethen-ministerMaryHarneyreversedthedecisiontopullthefundingandfoundanothermechanismtoprovideforit.Thisnewcommit-mentwasmadepossiblebecauseofthehardworkandsupportofthepublicandthemediawhowererelentlessintheirconvictionthatsomethingmustchangeforpeoplewithCFandtheirfamiliesinthecountrywiththehighestoccurrenceoftheillnessintheworld.LaterthatyearIwasnamedWomanoftheYearbyIrishTatlermagazinewhichservedtohighlightthecampiagnandwasawonderfullypositiveindicationofthesupportandgoodwillouttheretowardsCysticFibrosis. BASEDINIRELANDCONCERNISANINTERNATIONALHUMANITARIANORGANIZATIONDEDICATEDTOTACKLINGPOVERTYANDSUFFERINGINTHEWORLDSPOORESTCOUNTRIES.CONCERNDEBATESISCONCERNWORLDWIDESFLAGSHIPSCHOOLSACTIVITY.ITGIVESSTUDENTSTHEOPPORTUNITYTORESEARCHANDDEBATEISSUESTHATAFFECTTHOSELIVINGINTHEDEVELOPINGWORLD.TheIrelandFundsmakeasignicantcontributiontotheConcernDebatesourlargestdevelopmenteducationprogramandallowustoopenuptheprogramtoawiderrangeofschools.Theprogramgivesteenagersacrossthecountrytheopportu-nitytogettogripswithsomeofthecriticalissuesfacingtheworldtoday.WecountamongouralumniacurrentmemberoftheIrishSenateseveralprominentjournalistsandbroadcastersandoneofIrelandsambassadorsinAfricaandanecdotalevidencetellsusthattakingpartinthedebateshascontrib-utedtolargenumbersofparticipantsfuturecareerpaths.ConcernDebatescreateaconstituencyofactivecitizenswhoarelifelongsupportersofConcernsmissiontoachieverealchangeanddevelopmentforthepoorestofthepooraroundtheglobe.WearedelightedthatTheIrelandFundscontributionallowsustoopenuptheseopportuni-tiestoanewgenerationofIrishyouth.MichaelDoorlyHeadofActiveCitizenshipwithConcernWorldwide46connect2015 TheIrelandFundshaveenabled16schoolstoparticipateinConcernDebatesthatotherwisewouldnothavebeenabletoparticipate.IhavefoundtheConcernDebatesabsolutelybrilliantIhaveonlybeenintwosofarbutithasbeensuchalearningexperience.IhavenotonlyeducatedmyselfinsubjectsliketheUNbutIhavereallygainedsomuchconfdencealthoughtheolelegsshakestillwhenIgetuptospeakThanksonceagainforthisopportunity.SarahMurphyWhydoitStudentsnotonlylearnabouthowtheworldworksbuttheydevelopskillsinresearchandpublicspeaking.Learningtoanticipaterebuttalandhowanopponentwillrespondisalsoagreatskill.DebateshaveincludedtopicssuchasTheworldcancopewithitsgrowingpopulationandIrelandmustdeliveronits0.7overseasaidpromise.Morethan45000studentshaveengagedinthedebates.About120schoolsparticipateeachyear.Aftermonthsofpreparationteamscompetebeforejudgesandtheirpeers.PointsaregivenandteamsprogresstoaknockoutroundbeforewinnersaredeclaredthoughmanywouldsayallwhoparticipatewinConcernDebateshavebeenrunningforover30yearsEachschoolteamismadeupoffourspeakersresearchersapublicrelationsrepresentativeandatimekeeper.GroupiesareencouragedThedebatesareopentoallstudentsbetween4thand6thyearattendingsecondaryschoolsinIreland.AndnowtheresapilotcompetitionhappeninginNorthernIrelandaswell.ALLYOUNEEDTOKNOWABOUTCONCERNDEBATESIN10FACTS12356781094connect201547DebatewinnerstraveltocountrieswhereConcernisactive.LastyearswinnerswenttoEthiopiaandvisitedaschoolandmetstudentsinruralGuguftu. 48connect2015Theprogramgivesteenagersacrossthecountrytheopportunitytogettogripswithsomeofthecriticalissuesfacingtheworldtoday.ConcernDebatescreateaconstituencyofactivecitizenswhoarelifelongsupportersofConcernsmissiontoachieverealchangeanddevelopmentforthepoorestofthepooraroundtheglobe. 49connect2015FIVESTARHOSPITALITYINNATURALSPLENDOUROverlookingthepicturesqueSheenFallsjustoutsidetheHeritageTownofKenmarethis5starRelaisChateauxhotelalsofeaturesauniquecollectionofcottagesandvillaswhichareperfectforlargergatherings.SituatedbetweentheworldfamousRingofKerryandthelesserknownbutequallyspectacularRingofBearaSheenFallsLodgeoffersthebestofIrishhospitalityinanunsurpassedlocation.SHEENFALLSLODGE.IESHEENFALLSLODGEKENMARECO.KERRYIRELANDINFOSHEENFALLSLODGE.IE3530646641600CondNastTravellerTop100HotelsResortsintheWorld20141Ireland.CondNastGoldList2014IrelandHotelsResorts1.CondNastTopResortsinEuropeReadersChoiceAward20141. GivingIrelandsmostdisadvantagedchildrenasaferhappierstarttotheirlives.IrishYouthFoundationTheIrishYouthFoundationhasbeenworkingsince1985toaddresstheneedsofIrelandschildrenlivinginat-riskenvironments.TheysupportnumerousgrassrootsprojectsacrosstheislandofIrelandthathelpyoungpeoplewhoarefacingadversityintheirlives.Theorganizationcurrentlyhastwobroadgoalstoprovidesafeplaceswherechildrencangoafterschooltogrowlearnandplayandsecondlytoprovideopportunitiesforteenagersfromunder-servedcommunitiestosucceedandexcelintheirlives.AgrantfromTheIrelandFundsissupportingthiswork.DirectorofDevelopmentNiallMcLoughlintellsusaboutservingIrelandschildreninthechallengingenvironmentfacedbyIrelandsnot-for-protsector.50connect2015 Q.WhataresomeofthechallengesfacedbythechildrenyouworkwithA.Formanyofthechildrenwehelptheirownparentsmaynothavenishedschoolormayhaveapooreducationalbackground.Thereisoftengenerationalunemploymentandaddictionsubstanceabuseandpovertyaredailyrealitiesformany.Wendthatthetransitionfromprimaryschooltosecondaryschoolisacrucialandoftenaprettydauntingtimeinayoungpersonslife.Ifthefamilysupportisnottheretoanswerques-tionsaboutthenewchallengesandrealitiesofsecondaryschoollifeitisveryeasyforkidstobethrownoffthepositiveeducationalpaththeyareon.Andinourexperienceitsnotthattheydropoutinrstyearorsecondyearalthoughsomedobutmanykidsdisengagefromschoolatthistimeifthereisnobodytheretogivethemdirection.Oftennobodyistherewhentheycomehomefromschoolnobodytomakedinnernobodytohelpwithhomeworkandnobodytoanswerquestions.Sobasicallythesupportthattheyneedtosuccessfullymakethattransitionisntthere.Thisiswheretheprojectswesupportaresoeffective.Theyprovideahotmealforthekidstheyprovidementoringforthemprovidehomeworkhelpandmostimportantlytheyprovidetimeloveandencouragement.Theygivethemthesupportthattheyneedandwalkthemthroughthedifculttransitionbetweenprimaryandsecondaryschool.Q.WhataresomeoftheotherprojectsyouresupportingA.AnotherprojectthatwereproudofatthemomentisaninnercityDublinyouthbikeprogram.Itisusingbicyclestoattractadifferentdemo-graphicofdisadvantagedkids14-15yearoldboyswhichthehomeworkclubsarendingdifcultytoengage.Theprogramisteachingkidshowtobuildbikesfromscratchandthenhowtomaintainthem.Kidswantxiebikeswhichhavebecomequitecoolbuttheycostabout400.Theyouthclubluckilyhadareallyreallygoodmechanicwhowasabletoshowthemhowtogofromanoldframetobasicallybuildingtheirownbike.Oncetheyreinsidethewallsoftheyouthclubtheycanlettheirowndefensesdown.Thesearethesortofguyswhonormallywouldnttalkaboutaddictionissuesorproblemsathomeorfamilyissuestheyhavebutoncetheyareinsideitsasafeenvironmentandtheyopenup.Alsotheyactuallygetaconcreteskillsotheyrelearninghowtobecomebicyclemechanics.WiththehugedemandforbicyclemechanicsinIrelanditsarealandconcreteskillthattheywouldntotherwisehave.Thepolicehavenotedthedecreaseincrimesincethebikeprojecthasstartedwhichalsospeaksvolumes.ItisaprojectwedliketoseereplicatedinCorkGalwayWaterfordandbeyond.Q.HowareTheIrelandFundshelpingTheIrishYouthFoundationA.TheIrelandFundsarealmostlikeabigbrothertous.Iwouldlovetospend50ofourtimeraisingmoneyand50ofourtimegivingitoutbuttherealityisthatisnevergoingtohappen.Wespendabout80ofourtimetryingtoraisethefundsanditsincreasinglydifcult.SotohavethesupportofTheIrelandFundstofundourprojectsisreallyimportantbecauseitgivesustimetocometotheprojects.Itgivesustimetounderstandwhattheneedsare.Thatsasimportantasthemoneyitself.Timeisveryimportantanditfreesusupaswereaverysmallorganization.WetryandreachasmanykidsaspossiblearoundthecountrysoreallythesupportofTheIrelandFundsisvitaltous.Q.WhatareyourhopesforthechildrenyouworkwithA.Everybodyknowsthecountryhasbeenthrougharecession.WhenwelookatIrelandnowthoseonthemarginsofsocietywerehitthehardest.Hopefullywereontheupnowandthingsaregettingabitmorepositivebutitsreallyinvestinginthechildrenthatsgoingtomakethatwork.Ifwecantakechildrenoutofthatdeprivationandawayfromtheproblemsthatcomewithpovertywecangivethemopportunityeducationtimeandattentiontheywillturntheirenergiesintopositiveenergiesinsteadofnegativeenergies.Whatwehavefoundisthatwhenyouinvesttimemoneyandyourownenergiesintothelivesofthesechildrentheyreallyourish.Theyturnaroundandtheycandosomefantasticthings.IllneverforgetoneboywhobenetedfromoneoftheprojectswhichTheIrelandFundshelpedfund.Hesaidthebravestthinghehadtodowaswalkinthroughthedoor.Becausehesaidtherewereotherguyshisownagewhowereoutsidewhowerentintotheyouthclub.Andhehadtoputhisheaddownandwalkpastthem.Butoncehedidhislifeturnedaroundbecausehecouldtakehisdefensesdownhecouldtaketheshieldsdownandhecouldopenupabouthisproblemsathomeandtheaddictionthathisfamilyhad.Hedidaleadershipcourse.Heisnowworkingwiththeotherchildrenintheprogram.Hesapositiveforcewithinthearea.Tochangethelifeofachildisaverytangibleandrewardingthing.connect201551 52connect2015WhyIGivebybillmckiernan12BeginningwiththisissueofConnectmagazinewebringyouWhyIGivefeaturingtheperspectivesofsomeofourmostgenerousdonorsandwhatcompelsthemtobeinvolvedandinvestedinTheIrelandFunds.1billmckiernanisaBoardDirectorofTheAmericanIrelandFund.BillMcKiernanispresidentofWSMCapitalLLCaprivateequityrmhefoundedtoinvestinpaymentandothertechnologycompanies.BeforefoundingWSMCapitalBillfoundedCyberSourceCorporationin1994andservedasitsChairmanandCEOfor16years.CyberSourceisoneofthelargestpaymentprocessorsofInternettransactionswithover300000customersprocessingtransactionsworthover100billionperyear.InJuly2010CyberSourcewasacquiredbyVisaIncfor2billion.Mr.McKiernanservesontheBoardofTrusteesofBostonCollegeandisChairmanoftheBostonCollegeWestCoastTechnologyCouncil.HealsoservesontheBoardofDirectorsoftheMultipleMyelomaResearchFoundationanon-protcancerresearchfoundation.1BillestablishedtheirelandfundsbusinessplancompetitionwhichismodeledonasimilarinitiativerunatHarvardBusinessSchool.Theannualcompetitionnurturescreativityandhonesentrepreneurialskillsamongstrecentgraduatesandpost-graduatestudents.JordanCampbellProgrammesManagerTheIrelandFundsBillMcKiernanAlexandraMilnewinnerofthe2014IrelandFundsBusinessPlanCompetitionPadraicBrennanandJulie-AnnOHare. Q.BillcanyoutellusaboutyourselfSharesomebackgroundonyourIrishrootsandyourcurrentconnectionstoIrelandA.MypaternalgrandparentscametoNewYorkCityfromIrelandin1906.TheywerebothfromMohillinLeitrim.IgrewupinStuyvesantTowninlowerManhattanandwassurroundedbyIrishauntsanduncleswholivedclosebysoIwasexposedtoIrishcultureatanearlyage.Q.HowdidyoucometolearnaboutTheIrelandFundsWhatwereyourrstimpressionsA.IhadheardaboutTheAmericanIrelandFundbutdidntknowthatmuchaboutituntilIattendedafeweventsinSanFrancisco.IthenstartedtounderstandthefantasticimpactthatTheIrelandFundsprogramswerehavinginIrelandandNorthernIrelandimprovingthelivesofthoseinneedpromotingtheartsandkeepingthemomentuminthePeaceProcess.Q.WhyisitimportantforyoutosupporttheworkofIrishnonprotswhenyounowliveintheUSA.Ithinkweallstandontheshouldersofthosewhocamebeforeusandoweadebtofgratitudetothem.MygrandparentscametotheUnitedStateswithnothingbuttheclothesontheirbacks.TotheextentIcanhonortheirmemorybyhelpingIrelandthenthatisanobligationIhappilyaccept.Q.YouvebeendeeplyinvolvedwithTheIrelandFundsBusinessPlanCompetitionsinceitsinception.CanyoutellusmoreaboutthatHowdoyouseeitsupportingentrepre-neurshipinIrelandandNorthernIrelandA.Thebestsocialprogramintheworldisajob.Sustainablejobsarecreatedbyentrepreneurs.Themoreentrepreneurstherearethemorejobswillbecreated.Itisaverysimpleformula.IworkedwithTheIrelandFundstostarttheBusinessPlanCompetitionabout4yearsagowhentheIrisheconomywasinterribleshape.ThehopewasthatwecouldinspireyoungpeopleinIrelandtothinkaboutentrepreneurshipandtherebyhelpcreatejobs.Itisalong-termprojectbutitcanreapbigdividendsovertime.IrelandisblessedwithsmartpeopleastrongeducationsystemagoodworkethicandagoodgeographiclocationbetweenNorthAmericaandEurope.HoweverIhavealsofoundthattheIrishcultureismoreriskaversethanthecultureinaplacelikeSiliconValley.Riskissomethingwithwhichentrepreneurshavetobecomfortable.TheBusinessPlanCompetitionhelpsyoungentrepreneursunderstandriskwritebusinessplansandthinkabouthowtostartabusiness.MoreimportantlyitexposesthemtosuccessfulentrepreneursintheUSIrelandandEuropesothattheycanunderstandwhatittakestobesuccessfulbecomemorecondentintheirownabilitiesandappreciatethatinentrepreneurshipfailureisokayaslongasyoulearnfromit.Q.IrelandhasbeenthroughagreatdealoverthelastfewyearsandthisisatimeofgreatchangeforIreland.WhatsyourprognosisforIrelandoverthenextfewyearsA.InmanywaystheissuesIrelandfacestodayaresimilartotheissuestheUSandtherestoftheworldfacesloweconomicgrowthassimilatingdiverseculturesprovidingequalopportunityforallmanagingpublicspendingetc.Irelandhasagreatfoundationinitspeople.Theyaresmarthardworkingwelleducatedcomfortablewithothercultures.ThereisnoreasonwhyIrelandsbestdayswillnotbeaheadofit.Q.WhatdoyouseeasthekeyfocusforTheIrelandFundsoncethePromisingIrelandCampaignconcludesattheendof2015A.IthinktheongoingfocusofTheIrelandFundsistostaytruetothemissionandcontinuethecoursesupportingprogramsofpeaceandreconciliationartsandcultureeducationandcommunitydevelopmentthroughouttheislandofIreland.Ithinkthatwillkeepusbusyforafewmoreyearsconnect201553BillMcKiernanleadsaplenarysessionpanelatthe2014IrelandFundsConferenceinBelfast.BillMcKiernan TheNewJerseyGolfClassicSEPTEMBER2014Over100golfersjoinedusonthestunninglinksatBayonneGolfClubtoenjoythemostsuccessfulNewJerseyClassicyetwhileraisingmoneyforthePromisingIrelandCampaignatour12thannualNJGolfClassic.AfterplayonthecourseTheWorldwideIrelandFundsPresidentandCEOKieranMcLoughlinwelcomedguestsandintroducedPaulFinneganfromtheNewYorkIrishCenterwhospokeaboutthegreatworkdoneinsupportoftheForgottenIrishfundedbythegenerosityofourdonorsandheencouragedpeopletocomevisittheIrishCenterinQueens.EventChairPatrickLeahythankedthegolfersandpre-sentingsponsors.ThenBoardDirectorMichaelHigginswaspresentedwithauniqueawardmadeoutofancientIrishbogwood.MichaelgaveaspeechandthankedhisfriendsandthosewhocameouttosupporthimandtheworkofTheAmericanIrelandFund.Specialthankstothe12thannualNJGolfCommitteeandpresentingsponsorsDeltaFidelityTitleandJoeCassin.AlsospecialthankstoBMWPenskeAutomotiveandBMWofTenayNJandoureventPatronBobMcCannCEOUBS.TheAmericanIrelandFundGOLFJeremiahHarringtonJoeQuinlanTomKennedySr.andTomKennedyJr.HonoreeMichaelHigginswithGolfChairPatrickLeahyandKieranMcLoughlinThe12thannualNJGolfCommitteealongwithPaulFinneganoftheNewYorkIrishCenter54connect2015 LosAngelesWestCoastGolfClassicSEPTEMBER2014MikeDunleavySr.tookhomethetrophyattheAIFWestCoastClassicinLosAngeles.AsformercoachoftheLALakersandLosAngelesClippersMikedeclaredthatherealizedearlyonthathiswinningfoursome-HarryHartfordTylerBarthandRoryMullen-wereverycoachable.ThisprivateoutingwasmadepossibleatBel-AirCountryClubbyChairsTomBarryofUBSandJimLaydenofDeutscheBank.WestCoastDirectorMarjorieMuldowneyreferredtoitbeingagoldeneraforIrishgolfwiththeextraordinarysuccessofRoryMcIlroyin2014andtheRyderCupcaptaincyofPaulMcGinley.JimLaydenGlenLeskoMikeMoranJohnMcConnellBillBoleHarryHartfordPaulMaguireSisterConchitaMichelleMichaelGallagherJoeWattersTomBarryMikeDalyJimScanlanFranVanKirk55connect2015ThePhiladelphiaGolfClassicSEPTEMBER2014The13thannualAmericanIrelandFundPhiladelphiaGolfClassictookplaceatthepicturesquePhiladelphiaCricketClub.HonoreeMichaelP.GallagherwhodeliveredaheartfeltspeechabouthisinvolvementwithTheAmericanIrelandFundanditsroleindeepeninghisconnectiontoIreland.MichaelthenintroducedhisgoodfriendPaulMaguirewhogaveabriefpresentationontheKilleshandraNunsMissionarySistersoftheHolyRosarywhowererepresentedbySisterConchitawhojoinedusfromIrelandtohonorMichaelGallagher.TheSistersareraisingmoneytobuildaretirementhomeandretreatinIreland.SpecialthankstooursponsorsincludingPepperHamiltonLLPMcKeanDefenseBrianT.EarlyFoundationSteveKleinHHPRonPetersenWellsFargoLandServicesUSASilverangDonohoeFranVanKirkBlankRomeLLP. 56connect2015NowAvailableAKingdomofWineTheneweditionofTedMurphysaward-winningAKingdomofWineACelebrationofIrelandsWinegeesehasnowbeenpublished.TedistheHonoraryChairmanofTheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSociety.Thesold-outrsteditionisnowfollowedbyanequallysumptuouslyillustratedcoffeetablehardbackbookthattracesthewinemakingandwinetradinghistoryoftheIrishfrompre-Chris-tiantimestothepresentday.ThisbookwasmadepossiblebythesupportofthePatronsofTheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSociety.AswinewriterTomsClancynotesTedMurphyinofferingthisrevisededitionhasex-tendedagainthereachofhisscholarship.Inthatheisanexampletoallscholarsinneverrestingorbeingsatisedwithhisinforma-tionheisalwayseagertorenereviewandembraceeverynewshredofinformationandevidence.ThismakesthesecondeditionavitaladditiontothebodyofwineandwinehistorywritingbecauselikethersteditionitisbreakingnewgroundagaintellingnewstoriesandbringinganevenclearerpictureoftheIrishhandinsculptingourpresentpictureofwine.TopurchasethemostrecenteditionpleasecontactDevinGearyat617-574-0720USordgearyirlfunds.orgabouttheirelandfundswinegeesesocietyMembersoftheWineGeeseSocietyrepresentsomeofTheIrelandFundsmostgenerousdonors.TheSocietycelebrateswinefoodandartofIrishprovenancefromaroundtheworldwhileraisingsupportfortheworkofTheIrelandFunds.ThenameWineGeesecomesfromthestoryoftheWildGeese-atermcoinedtodescribeagroupofIrishfamilieswhoedIrelandinthe17thcen-turyandestablishedsuccessfulwineriesaroundtheworld.Todaymembersenjoyaccesstoprivatetripstoursandtastingsatvineyardsaroundtheworld.MembershipisbyinvitationonlyandallactivitiesarefundedbyWineGeeseSocietymembers. 14connect201557ReceptiontoLaunchtheSeconEdtionofAKingomofWineoctober2014BoardDirectorsdonorsandmembersofTheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSocietyfromaroundthecountrygatheredinNewYorksfabled21Club.DedicatedtocelebratingIrelandscontributiontoviticulturetheWineGeesesocietyincludessomeoftheFundstopdonors.ItwasanopportunitynotonlyfordeepeningfriendshipandconnectionsbutalsotofocusonsupportingIrishprojectsandcauses.Thegatheringinthe21ClubwasnoexceptionwithlongstandingBoardDirectorBillMcNallybeingadmittedtotheSocietyinrecognitionofhisyearsofservicetotheFund.ThesecondeditionoftheSocietysaward-winningpublicationonIrelandsplaceinthehistoryofwineAKingdomofWinewaslaunchedwitheditorElisabetBordtbeingtheguestofhonor.TheWineGeesesmottofromwinewhatwondrousfriendshipspringswastheguidingspiritoftheevening.1JohnSharkeyPaulineRyanKenGorman2JerryCallaghanBarbaraJonesKieranMcLoughlinKarenCallaghan3LorettaBrennanGlucksmanKipCondron4SheilaOMalleyLeslieKingGrenier5JohnFitzpatrickDenisOBrien6KenGormanElisabetBordtBillMcNally7BillMcNallyJohnSharkey8HowardMicheleKessler2534678 58connect2015AuthorPaulineRyanisamemberofTheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSocietyandaBoardDirectorofTheAmericanIrelandFund.ThisaccountistakenfromherdailyblogthatwaswrittenastheWineGeesetraveledthroughItaly.Foranexpandedaccountofthe2014tripvisitherblogathttpwww.winegeeseintuscany.blogspot.com2atourofromeandtuscany1TheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSociety1 becauseitisOctoberpotentiallythemiddleofthegrapecrushingseasoninTuscany.TheWineGeeseacollectionofwine-loversfromTheIrelandFundsbegintheirpilgrimageinRome.Anitineraryhasbeencompiledaroundstrategicvenueswhichwilleducateourmindsandsatiateourpalates.WestayclosetothePantheonbuiltsometwothousandyearsagosportingaconcretedomewhichstilltodayisthelargestun-reinforcedconcretedomeintheworld.AtourofsomeofthecityslesserknownhistoricalsitessetsusupforourItalianexperience.AvisittotheburialsiteofHughONeillputsintohistoricalperspectivethenameWinegeese.ONeillwasoneoftheoriginalWildgeesewhoedIrelandintheearly1600stogathercontinentalarmiesinIrelandsghtagainstKingJamesI.DinneronourrsteveningconsistedofthebestofIrishcuisine.HostedbytheIrishAmbassadorandhiswifeBobbyandMaryMcDonaghweenjoydinnerandentertainmentinthemagnicentVillaSpadawhichhousestheIrishEmbassyinItaly.OurseconddayinRomestartswithasmallnumberofusrisingbeforedawntoexperiencemassintheHiberniancryptofSt.PetersBasilicaVaticanCityandtosavorthesquareandvastediceasdawnbreaksbeforethecrowdsrollin.ThewordwhichcomestomindisEtherealThegardensatCastelGandolfothePopessummerresidencearenowopentothepublicandweenjoythissojourntotheoutskirtsofRomeforaprivatetourofthismanicuredgreenhaven.Fordinnerwearetransportedtoapalazzohiddenawayintheheartofthecitywithfamilyrecordsdatingbackoverathousandyears.OurbeautifullyrestoreddiningroomoffersusachancetoconnectwithlifeintheRenaissanceera.ButwemustmoveonwearehereforToscanaanditswinesEnroutetoourhotelwepauseforlunchatAvignonesiawell-knownproducerofSuperTuscans.Thiswinerypracticesbiodynamicmethodsusingcowmanureorquartzpackedintocowhornsburiedinthegroundthencrushedwithwaterandlatersprayedontothegroundorvineleaves.ABelgianladyVirgineSaverysrecentlyboughtthestrugglingwinerywhichshethenrejuvenatedwiththeseecologicaltechniques.OurborgoatSanFeliceoutsidethequainttownofCastelnuovoBeradengaistypicalofTuscanarchitecture.PalesandstoneblocksadornedwithdarkgreenshutterspinkpottedgeraniumsandterracottarooftilescompletethevisionofTuscanyatitsbest.Theseparatebuildingshousingjustafewroomseachrestintranquilityamongstthevineswhicharejuststartingtoturnautumnalincolorsomestillwithlusciouspurplegrapesclingingtothelowertrellisesawaitingtheirharvest.Wewatchtheharvestercullingtheselastfewvestigesofnectarbeforetheyareshakenandsuckedminusstemsandseedsintothemachineandthenthepressfortheirjourneytothewineglass.567234WevisitItalythisyearconnect201559 60connect2015insomeofthemostprominentwineriesTuscanyhastooffer.AvisittothemedievaltownofMontalcinosetsthesceneforourappreciationoftheSangiovesegrape.TheBiondiSantiwineryhasbeeninthesamefamilyforover300years.In1870FerruccioBiondiSantidecidedtouseonly100SangiovesegrapesinhiswinesandthusBrunellowasborn.ThepresentownerJacopoBiondiSantikindlyinvitedustotasteamongothershis1975RiservaashadeunderathousandeurosabottleThankgoodnesswetakeabreakfromthree-coursefare.InthenearbyvillageofMontisiwerelaxinanenotecaforatalkbyMaurizioCastelliItalysleadingguruonTuscanwinesinparticularBrunellosandtheSangiovesegrapes.Aswetastewelearnjustwhatmakesthesewinessospecial.NottobeoutdonebythewineindustryMaurizioswifeAntonellaPireddaisaconnoisseurofthelocalcheeses.Afterplatesofantipastimeatsandsaladswearetreatedtoaplatterofeightdifferentcheesestheirqualitiesandcompositionexplainingtheirattributes.TheChiantiregionsummonsusandourdaybeginsinthecellarsoftheAntinorifamilyatBadioaPassagiano.Twenty-sixgenerationsoftheAntinorifamilyhavebeeninthebusinessofcreatingtodays20vineyardsandover200labels.ChiantiClassicotodayismadeupof85SangiovesegrapesplusablendofCabernetandCabernetFrancthuscreatingthefamedTignanelloafarcryfromtheplumpstraw-encasedbottlesofChiantiClassicoweallgrewupwithinourearlydaysofwineexplorationWehituponthebusiestdayoftheyearatAntinori.Averywetsummerhadpersuadedthevintnerstoleavethegrapesonthevineslongerthanusualandnowsomebecauseoftherecenthumidityshowsignsofmold.Watchoutfor2017releaseshigherpricesandlessinventory.Lunchisthetreatofalltreats.Oliveoilandhoneyareproducedheretoosowegettotastethreedifferentoilsforstartersandourcheesecourseislacedwithtwoavorsofhoney.OfcoursethewholelunchwaspairedwithdeliciouswinesChiantiClassicoTignanelloBrunelloandSolaiatonameafewLeavingbehindthetraditionalwineriesofgenerationspastthethreedaughtersoftheAntinorifamilybuiltthewineryofthefutureinBargino.Thisstate-of-the-artcomplexgreetsthevisitorswithagrandcircularsteelstaircaseleadinguptoafactoryofglasswithpsychedeliclightingandquirky-coloredcushions.YetdonotdoubtthisAntinoriplanthousesthebiggestofallstainlesssteelvats610hectarlitersor8200bottlesofwinepervat.FromalloftheirestatescombinedAntinoribottlemorethansixmillionbottlesperyear.Thiscomplexaloneiscapableofbottling5000bottlesofwineanhour.Wetasteagaindessertwinestoothistimeandwefallasleeponourdrivebacktobase.Wenowembarkonthreedaysofwine-tasting1112138910 13141819111220211TheWineGeeseSocietywithAmbassadorBobbyMcDonaghatAmbassadorialResidenceVillaSpada2JohnSharkeyKenGormanandJacopoBiondiSantiatBiondiSantiVinyard3JohnSharkeyAmbassadorBobbyMcDonaghandMrsMaryMcDonagh4JohnSharkeyAmbassadorBobbyMcDonaghMrsMaryMcDonaghMichaelJacksonKenGorman5WineGeeseSocietywithFrLukeMacnamaraatStPetersBasilicainRome6WineGeeseSocietyvisitCastelGandolfoGardens7MichaelJacksonMaureenNewmanTommyGallagherKerryGormanandPepperJacksonatAvignonesiWinery8GrapesatAvignonesiWinery9WineGeeseSocietyatPalazzoMassimoalleColonne10AvignonesiCellars11JohnSharkeyVirgineSaverysownerofAvignonesiWineryandKenGormanatAvignonesiWinery12KenGormanJohnSharkeyJohnFitzpatrickandMichaelJacksonattheinductionofJohnFitzpatrickintoTheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSociety13JuneBennettMichaelJacksonArchieBennettJohnSharkeyPaulineRyanandNettaBlanchardatMontalcinoinItaly14JohnFitzpatrickatBiondiSantiVinyard15MontisisVitisVinifera16KenGormanMaurizioCastelliAntonellaPireddaandJohnSharkeyatVitisVinifera17TheWineGeeseSocietytoursBadiaaPassignanoVinyards18TheWineGeeseSocietymeetsAlbertGuadagniniatCasalidiBibbiano19PaulineRyanPepperMichaelJacksonNettaBlanchardTommySarahGallagheratCasalidiBibbiano20ArchieBennettDavidNewmanMichaelWeckerBrindaCurleyHelenJohnSharkeyMaureenNewmanandJuneBennettatCasalidiBibbiano21TommyGallagherKenGormanArchieBennettJohnSharkeyDavidNewmanvisitingSiena22TheWineGeeseSocietyatSanPietroMontorio16171415connect201561 62connect2015AllaprossimaDinnertonightisatthefamedMichelinstarrestaurantLaBottegadel30afamilyownedrestaurantvisitedsome15yearsagobythewriterwhenitcontainedarenownedculinaryschoolandamuseumofcookingutensils.Itsreputationhasonlygrownwithageandawon-derfuldinnerwaslefttoourmemories.OurlastdayWehavealeisurelymorningarrivingatCasalidiBibbianowhereownerAlbertoGuadagniniwelcomesusforashorttourofhiswineryandlunchontheterrace.HeownstworestaurantsintheStatesandisalreadyafriendoftheWineGeese.WejourneyontoSienaforsomeshoppingandarestonIlCampothemedievaltownwiththefamiliarslopingcentralpiazza.ItshometoIlPalioahorseraceheldtwiceayearinthiscircularbasin.Aswereturntoourhomeawayfromhomeforourfarewelldinnerithastobementionedourbusbreaksdown.Wepullofftheautostradaandwaitforhelp.NickiLynchfromourDublinofceourmostprocientandstand-in-at-the-last-minuteguidecalmlytakescontrolofthesituationandthreesmallercarssoonarrivetotakeusonwards.AtdinnerthateveningwetoastTedMurphyandhiswifeGarrywhowereunabletojoinusonthistrip.Tedputsomucheffortintocom-pilingthehistoryoftheWineGeeseandthesecondeditionofhisbookAKingdomofWinewaspresentedbyustoeachofourhostsatthevariouswinerieswiththanksfortheoccasionstheyaffordedus.ItisalwayssadtosayarrivedercitofriendsandfellowWineGeesebutthiswemustaswedepartfromanothermemo-rabletrip.OurlocalguideCamillaBainesgaveusinsightandlocalknowledgetoalltheseplaces.ElisabetBordtyetagaindidanoutstandingjoborganizingthewonderfullocationsandNickiourLynchpinsawtoitthateverythingplayedoutaccordingtoplanandnoonewentmissing.AhugethankstoalltheseladiesforanothersuccessfulchapterintheannalsoftheWineGeesefromtwentyofitsmostavidandwine-soakedsupporters.22 connect201563GLOBALPATRON1000AllofthebenetsoftheFriendandAssociatelevelsplustheseadditionalbenetsAdmissionforonetoanIrelandFundsDinnerGalainthecityofyourchoiceListingonHostCommitteeforthesignatureYoungLeaderseventinyourhomecityASSOCIATE250or500feedependentoncityAllofthebenetsoftheFriendlevelplustheseadditionalbenetsAdmissionforonetothelocalsignatureYoungLeaderseventinyourhomecityAccesstoTheAmericanIrelandFundsBoardDirectorsagroupincludingtopexecutivesinnancegovernmenttheartsandcommunicationsDiscountsatFitzpatrickHotelsNYCDublinTheopportunitytojoinTheAmericanIrelandFundGolfSocietyataspecialYoungLeadersrateof500regularly1000AdmissionforonetotheAnnualYoungLeadersGlobalSummitInvitationanddiscountedadmissiontotheannualWorldwideIrelandFundsConferenceinIrelandAccesstoTheYoungLeadersSocietyonlineMembershipDirectoryFRIENDOFTHEFUND100ComplimentaryanddiscountedadmissiontoexclusiveIrishculturalandphilanthropiceventsthroughouttheyearDiscountedinvitationtotheAnnualDinnerGalainyourhomecitySubscriptionstopublicationsincludingConnectthemagazineofTheWorldwideIrelandFundsYoungLeadersnewsupdatesInvitationanddiscountedadmissiontotheannualWorldwideIrelandFundsConferenceinIrelandTheAmericanIrelandFundYoungLeadersSocietyMembershipLevelsTheYoungLeadersSocietyattractsbusinessprofessionalsages25-40.PavingthewayforthefuturetheSocietycultivatesanemerginggenerationofphilanthropistswhileprovidinganetworkingforumandaconnectionwithmodernIreland.Withvibranteventsaroundtheworldmembershaveraisedover1millionfortheworkofTheIrelandFunds.Visitwww.theirelandfunds.orgyoung-leaderstojoinreadtheblogandlearnaboutthebenetsofmembership.TolearnmoreaboutTheAmericanIrelandFundYoungLeaderscontactPatTullyatptullyirlfunds.org.TolearnmoreaboutTheIrelandFundYoungLeadersinIrelandUKEuropecontactCaitlinDuyatcduyirlfunds.orgYoungLeaders 64connect2015OnSaturdayOctober4thYoungLeadersfromelevencitiesinfourcountriesaroundtheworldhostedtheinauguralYoungLeadersGlobal5KpresentedbyKPMGwiththesloganTheIrishRuntheWorldandtheYoungLeadersreachedagoalofraising100K.TheuniqueracearoundtheworldstartedoutinSydneyAustraliawhereourYoungLeadersjoinedupwiththeParkrunAustralia5KruninSydneyParkinStPeters.SydneySwansandKerryGAAstarTommyWalshcamealongtocheerontherunners.ThankstoTasteIrelandourAustraliansponsorandtoeventchairBrendanSheehanforcoordinatingabrilliantstarttotheglobalrace.ThevirtualbatonwasthenhandedtoMelbournewheretheracetookplaceattheAlbertParkLakehomeoftheMelbourneF1GrandPrix.IrelandslegendaryOlympianSoniaOSullivangreetedrunnersandin-spiredthemtogofortheirpersonalbest.SpecialthankstoYoungLeaderSandraBoothforbringingonSoniaOSullivanandleadingtheteaminMelbourne.TheruncontinuedtomovearoundtheglobewitharainymorninginLondonTheYoungLeaderrunnersstartedoutinLittleVeniceandranalongtheGrandUnionCanal.SpecialthankstoYoungLeaderMarcusWalshforleadingthechargeandLauraQuinnforbeingourresidentphotographer.FromLondonthebatonwaspassedtoDublinwhereourYoungLeadersgottogetherattheLeopardstownRacecoursetrackfora5KledbyanotherIrishrunninglegendEamonnCoghlanwhowasthemasterofceremoniesandcelebritystarterfortheDublinlegoftherace.SpecialthanksgotoPaulMcClatchieforallhiseffortsinmakingtheDublinlegoftheraceasuccess.ThevirtualbatoncrossedtheAtlanticandmadeitsnextstopinBostonwheretheYoungLeadersgatheredinDavisSquareSomervilleMA.SpecialthankstoBostonSteeringCommitteeChairChrisHagan.NewYorkpickedupthebatonjoiningtheAngelsRunalongtheWestsideHighwayinManhattan.YoungLeaderCroineOHalloranhostedabrunchatStoneStreetTavernformorethan50people.SpecialthankstoMaryGraceyofKPMGandYoungLeaderTomKennedyforhisorganizationontheday.TheressomethingaboutanIrishfunrunandtheIrishRuntheWorldGlobal5kmhaditall.ItwastheperfectstarttotheweekendonaperfectMelbourneday.IreallyenjoyedmyroleasAmbassadorfortheeventandseeingsomanypeoplesmilingastheycrossedthenishline.GreatsupportcamefromIrishcommunitiesaroundtheworldaswepassedthebatonontoLondontoencourageeachothertogetoutandbeactiveknowingthatwhilehelpingourselvesTheIrelandFundsYoungLeaderswerealsogivingbackinsupportofTheIrelandFundsPromisingIrelandCampaign.-SoniaOSullivanOlympicmedalistIreland.Global5kOctober42014TheIrishRuntheWorld 65connect2015ThebatonwasthenpassedupnorthtoPhiladelphiawheretheYoungLeadersgatheredattheworldfamousRockystatueoutsidethePhiladelphiaMuseumofArtandnishedtherunbyclimbingtothetopofthestairsintrueRockyfashion.SpecialthankstoYoungLeaderJasonEarlyforallhiseffortsleadinguptotheraceandforbeingtheresidentphotographerontheday.ThebatonwasthenpassedfromDallastoDCwheretheWashingtonDCYoungLeadersgatheredinGeorgetownWater-frontParkforapicturesquerunalongthebanksofthePotomacRiver.SpecialthankstoSteeringCommitteememberDrewWalshforhisworkinorganizingagreatdayinDC.ThebatonthenheadedtoChicagowheretheYoungLeadersgatheredatFleetFeetSportsinOldTownandranthroughthecitystreetsintoLincolnParkjustoffofLakeMichigan.YoungLeaderDavidShinenishedwellaheadofacrowdedeld.SpecialthankstoPatCanningandDarraghWatsonofKPMGChicagoforjoiningusontheday.FromtheBigAppletoBigDtherunpickedupinDallaswheretheYoungLeadersjoinedupwiththeGenesisWomensShelterrunthatstartedjustaftertheNewYorkrun.SpecialthankstoYoungLeaderElaineOConnorforleadingthewayinDallas.ThebatonheadedwesttoSanFranciscoforthefinalandlargestlegoftherace.TheYoungLeadersrantheir5KalongthePresidioNationalParkrightonSanFranciscoBaywithstunningviewsoftheGoldenGateBridge.SpecialthankstoYoungLeaderIanCaseyforhisorganizationleadinguptoandonthedayoftheevent.SydneyMelbourneBostonNewYorkPhiladelphiaSanFranciscoChicagoWashingtonDCLondonDublinDallas 66connect2015AROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDNEWYORKSEPTEMBER2014TheAmericanIrelandFundhostedabreakastorAnTaoiseachEndaKennywithBoardmembersandkeydonors.TheChairmanoTheAmericanIrelandFundJohnFitzpatrickwelcomedtheTaoiseachandKieranMcLoughlinWorldwidePresidentCEOgavetheTaoiseachareportonthestateotheFund.TheTaoiseachspokeaboutthecurrenteconomicstateoIrelandandhowthingshavechangedorthebettersincethedarkestdaysotherecessionandbailout.HealsospokeothestrengthotherelationshipbetweentheUnitedStatesandIrelandandhowthatwillcontinuebecauseotheworkoTheAmericanIrelandFundtheimportantconnectionwiththeworldwideIrishdiasporaandtheimportanceodevelopingphilanthropyinIreland.AnTaoiseachthenopenedtheoortoquestionsromthegroupandoferedinsightonavarietyotopicsinIrelandincludingentrepreneurial-ismbothsocialandbusinesspeaceinNorthernIrelandandtheutureotheIrisheconomy.GuestsatthebreakastincludedtheIrishAmbassadortotheUnitedStatesAnneAndersonIrelandsConsulGeneraltoNewYorkBarbaraJonesandAcademyAward-winningactorDanielDay-LewisaswellasmanyAmericanIrelandFundBoardDirectorsincludingAdrianJonesShaneNaughtonMichaelHigginsSusanDavisJohnDalyJohnSharkeyAmb.ElizabethFrawleyBagleyJohnDufyLeslieKingGrenierKipCondronEugeneMcQuadeTaraMcCabeandtheChairmanEmeritusLorettaBrennanGlucksman.NewYorkLeadershipForumTaoiseachBreakfast1JohnFitzpatrickAnTaoiseachEndaKennyTD2AmbassadorElizabethFrawleyBagleyAnTaoiseachEndaKennyTDMichaelHiggins3KipCondronAnTaoiseachEndaKennyTDandJohnSharkey4JohnDufyAmbassadorAnneAndersonJohnFitzpatrick5TaraMcCabeCharlieFlanaganTDMinisterorForeignAfairsBarbaraJonesAdrianJones6JohnGardinerAnTaoiseachEndaKennyTD1142536 67connect2013NEWYORKTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLD67connect20151231DanielForbesJonathanCollinsguests2ElaineOConnorTylerBarthSiobhanByrne3JaneWalshGemmaKennedyJULY2014TheNewYorkYoungLeadershostedtheirannualSummerintheCityfundraiseratthestunningRefneryHotelsrooftoploungeinthegarmentdistrict.Over175friendsandsupportersenjoyedcomplimentaryJamesonsummercocktailsandSixpointBreweryseasonalbeersalongwithlivemusicbyPeadarOHicki.NationalDirectoroftheYoungLeadersPatTullyconductedaliveauctionwhichincludedaVIPexperienceatWatchWhatHappensLiveonBravocourtesyoftheshowsExecutiveProducerandNewYorkYoungLeaderDeirdreConnolly.Theeveningcontinuedwithasilentauctionandrae.YoungLeadersSummerInTheCitySEPTEMBER2014TheNewYorkYoungLeadershostedaneventwithNYUIrishstudiesstudentsatGlucksmanIrelandHouseandenjoyedanintimateperformancebysingersong-writerLisaHanniganalongwithareceptionsponsoredbySixpointBreweryofBrooklyn.AnnSolarifromGlucksmanIrelandHousegaveanoverviewoftheNYUMastersprograminIrishStudiesandhighlightedotherupcomingeventsatGlucksmanIrelandHousebeforegivingawarmintroductiontoLisaandthankingeveryoneforattendingthesoldoutperformance.Theeveningcontinuedonwithanafter-partyatYoungLeaderJamesMorrisseysloungeTheLateLatewhereheprovidedcomplimentaryGuinnessandIrishwhiskeycocktails.YoungLeadersEveningwithLisaHannigan121LisaHannigan2MaedhbhMcCullaghLisaHanniganJenBarryAnneSolari3LeanneOLouglinRachelConlan3 OCTOBER2014ThirtyDirectorsofTheAmericanIrelandFundfromtencitiesgatheredinthe21ClubfordinnerontheeveningoftheBoardRetreat.ItwasanopportunityforBoardDirectorstoreacquaintthemselveswitheachotherandenjoyalittledowntimeinadvanceoftherigorsofthefollowingday.HowevertohelpframetheconversationScottNicholspossiblythemostcelebratedfundraiserintheUSspokeoftherapidgrowthonTheAmericanIrelandFundinrecentyears.Hehasseentheorganizationevolvefrombeingamovementtobecomingasophisticatedinstitutiontocomparewiththebestanywhere.ThecamaraderieofthenightwasaperfectcurtainraiserbeforetheBoardRetreatthefollowingday.TheAmericanIrelandFundBoardofDirectorsRetreatDinner1Guests2JohnFitzpatrick3KieranMcLoughlin4ScottNichols5KipCondronLorettaBrennanGlucksmanCraigSullivan6Guests68connect2015AROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDNEWYORK465213 69connect2013OCTOBER2014Twenty-veBoardMembersromacrosstheUSgatheredinNewYorkoraBoardoDirectorsretreattodiscusstheuturedirectionotheorganization.With2016markingtheconvergenceotwomilestonesortheFund-thecompletionothePromisingIrelandCampaignandtheFunds40thanniversary-thepurposeotheretreatwastoplanandplottheuturecourseotheorganizationorten-yearperiodrom2016onwards.OversevenhoursointensediscussionsanddebatetheDirectorsagreedthattheFundsmissionremainedasimportantaseverandtheorganizationwasabsolutelyontherighttrackinpursuingit.TheprioritynowistoinvestinthecapacityotheorganizationandtoenhanceourabilitytodeliverorIrelandandIrishcauses.KieranMcLoughlinPresidentandCEOoTheWorldwideIrelandFundswasaskedtodrawupastrategyencompassingthemainoutcomes.HeinturnthankedtheBoardsayingitwassomotivatingtoworkwithsuchanenthusiasticandengagedBoard.TheAmericanIrelandFundBoardofDirectorsRetreat1JohnFitzpatrickJohnDufy2JohnKaneBillMcKiernan3BoardRoom4ABreakoutgroup5MicheleKessler6DuncanNiederauerNEWYORKTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLD69connect2015215436 70connect2015NOVEMBER2014TheNewYorkYoungLeaderGlobalPatronsgottogetherwithmembersotheNJgolcommitteetocelebratethesuccessotheoutingandtheopeningothenewFlagshipPeterMillarStoreonMadisonAvenueinNewYorkCity.TheprivateshoppingeventandcocktailpartyopenedPeterMillarsrstretailstoreinManhat-tanwithstyle.WhilethesupportersbrowsedthestoreWorldwideIrelandFundsPresidentandCEOKieranMcLoughlinspokeaboutthesuccessoourrecentgoloutings.PatTullyNationalDirectorotheYoungLeadersthenthankedNJGolChairmanPatLeahywithmakingtheoutingthemostsuccessultodatePatthenintroducedPhilipMichaelromPeterMillarwhowelcomedoursupporterspresentedthemwithaspecialdiscountortheevening.SpecialthankstoTavern29orcateringtheeventaswellasJamesonandPernodRicard.DECEMBER2014Over100membersandsupportersotheNewYorkYoungLeadersgatheredatParkerQuinnintheRefneryHoteltohonoroneotheirownastheytoastedJenBarryastheNewYorkYoungLeaderotheYear.NationalDirectoroTheYoungLeadersPatTullyintroducedthe2013YoungLeaderotheYearBernadetteMcCabeKellywhospokeaboutJenBarryscommitmenttothemissionoTheAmericanIrelandFundandherworkin2014co-chairingthesignatureSt.PatricksCelebrationandcreatinganeweventortheYoungLeadersatGlucksmanIrelandHouseatNYUwiththestudentsintheIrishStudiesprogram.SpecialthankstoTerrenceTubridyoParkerQuinnandhisstaforanexceptionafairandsponsorsJamesonIrishWhiskeyandDeltaAirLines.NewYorkYoungLeadersandNewJerseyGolfCommitteePeterMillarEveningNewYorkYoungLeadersCelticChristmasCelebration1122331ScottLehmannAbeQuigleyAngusMillerSeanHalpinTadhgOConnor2PatLeahyTadghOConnorPhilipMichael3KathleenKelleyAnthonyWardNeilHayward1AislingMcDonoughAnnMurtaghJackieMeereConorHouriganKatieGassertSiobhanByrneSusanDunne2Guests3JenBarryBernadetteMcCabeKellyAROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDNEWYORK Workingtomakeadifferencewww.ipb.ieIrishPublicBodiesMutualInsurancesLtd.tradingasIPBInsuranceisregulatedbytheCentralBankofIreland.AmbitiousforIrelandForbusinessintheUKIPBInsuranceisauthorisedbytheCentralBankofIrelandandsubjecttolimitedregulationbytheFinancialConductAuthority.AtIPBwetakesocialresponsibilityseriously.MoreimportantlyweunderstandthatthebestwaytotrulymakeadifferenceisthroughactiveCorporateSocialEngagement.Byincorporatingoursocialengagementapproachintoourbusinessmodeleverypartofourbusinessplaysapartfromourpeoplerightthroughtoournancialresources.CommittedtobuildingabetterIrelandIPBisproudtopartnerwithTheIrelandFundsinworkingforabrighterfutureforourpeopleandourcountry. 72connect2015JULY2014Aspiritedgroupof150ofBostonsYoungLeadersgatheredatYoungLeaderDaveGreaneysnewly-openedBostoniaPublicHouseforaSummerSocial.ItwasthelargestcrowdevergatheredforaBostonYoungLeadersSocial.Therst-classvenuecreatedtheperfectatmospheretotoastthosewhohadcontributedtothehugelysuccessfulSt.PatricksCelebrationandtoreectontheworkofTheAmericanIrelandFund.TheAmericanIrelandFundNewEnglandDirectorSteveGreeleythankedattendeesfortheircontinuedsupport.ThankyoutotheSummerSocialEventCommitteeTimBrettRyanChamberlainDiannaCurryKaraDoranPatrickDriscollJimGeraghtyStephanieGillJackStephanieGreeleyCaseyGrifnBrittanyHamptonMikeLynchandTimAbbeyRedmond.DECEMBER2014BostonsYoungLeadersgatheredattheBostoniaPublicHousetocelebratetheholidays.SpecialguestsincludedBreandnCaollaIrishConsulGeneralinBostonandproprietorofBostoniaPublicHouseYoungLeaderDaveGreaney.TheAmericanIrelandFundNewEnglandDirectorSteveGreeleyspokeabouttheFundandits2014grant-makinginIreland.StevealsoaskedforamomentofsilenceinrespectofthepassingofdynamicBostonYoungLeaderCoreyGrifn.GlasseswerealsoraisedinappreciationofretiringYoungLeaderCoordina-torAmyEllis.ThankyoutotheChristmasSocialEventCommitteeColleenCarneyTerryConnellEllenDonovanMaggieFlatleyDanielleFrissellMattGaughanJimGeraghtyStephanieGillMikeRebeccaGreeleyTommyGreeleyCaseyGrifnMikeGrifnBrittanyHamptonBretKellyJoannaLitsasMikeMynchAengusShannonMcAllisterandCarolineQuincy.BostonYoungLeadersSummerSocialBostonYoungLeadersChristmasSocial1122331Guests2BrendaHaganEllenDonovanLauraPoropatich3SteveGreeleyMichaelPrendergastMelissaDanforthDevinGearyAengusMcAllisterEmmaDohertyBrianSugrueEamonnTravers1AndrewTaylorHowellMaggieFlatley2MattGaughanChristianPoyantAengusMcAllisterAndrewZak3CaseyGrinMarianneGillStephanieGillAROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDBOSTON 73connect2015BOSTONTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLDJULY2014TheAmericanIrelandFundhostedover150peopleatitsannualNantucketCelebrationheldatthehomeofAmericanIrelandFundNationalBoardDirectorLesleyGrenierandherhusbandBart.Co-chairedbyChrisAnnQuickBobLauraReynoldsandJackSuzyWelchtheeveningshighlightwastheremarksofHonoreeAnneFinucaneofBankofAmericawhospokeaboutherIrishrootsandthesatisfactionshehasreceivedfromherinvolvementthroughtheyearsinseveralnon-protundertakingsinIreland.AmongtheguestsattendingwereSenatorEdMarkeyJoeScarboroughandMikaBrzezinskiofMSNBCsMorningJoeVanityFairfeaturewriterMaureenOrthandhersonLukeRussertofMSNBCJackMan-ningofBostonCapitalCorporationandhiswifeLyleHowlandChairmanofTheAmericanIrelandFundJohnFitzpatrickIrishConsulGeneralinBostonBreandanOCaollaiandhiswifeCarmelChadGiordformerChairmanBankofAmericaandhiswifeAnneandNantucketCommitteeMembersGeorgeAlbrechtAmbassadorElizabethFrawleyBagleyBenBarnesStephenSusanBurbageKevinCallahanBobCroweChrisDrakeJackLisaDunfeyJimSusanGeraghtyMikeRebeccaGreeleyLindaHollidayNatalieJacobsonScottSheilaKnightKathleenMatthewsBrianKellyMcKernanBobLaurieMonahanBobMooneyBruceElisabethPercelayBillBethScannellWendySchmidtandGuyDeDeSnowden.NantucketCelebration12341MikeBarnicleAnneFinucane2KieranMcLoughlinChrisQuickAnneFinucaneBobReynoldsJohnFitzpatrick3BobMonahanSenatorEdMarkeyKathleenMatthewsSteveGreeley4JoeScarboroughAmbassadorElizabethFrawleyBagleyMikaBrzezinskiSteveGreeley 74connect2015AUGUST2014TheAmericanIrelandFundheldtheirfthannualIrishNightonCapeCodontheOceanTerraceatOceanEdgeResortandGolfClubinBrewsterMA.TheeveningwashostedbyAmericanIrelandFundNationalBoardDirectorandlongtimesupporterJoeCorcoranChairmanofCorcoranJennisonCompanies.Over185friendsandsupportersenjoyedthesummersbestrawbarandthechancetomakenewCapefriendsandreacquaintwitholdones.SteveGreeleyNewEnglandDirectorofTheAmericanIrelandFundspokeofthesadandrecentpassingofRoseCorcorananauthenticIrishmatriarchandhowshewouldbemissed.HostandOceanEdgeResortOwnerJoeCorcoranalsowelcomedthegatheringandspokeabouttheevolutionofOceanEdgeResortandhisdeepappreciationofhisIrishheritage.TheeventwaschairedbyEdJennMurphyKevinRitaGillandJohnTraceeHynes.ThankstotheCapeCommitteeJackTrishBrennanJayCalnanDevinErinCondronBillBarbConnollyJoeCorcoranJimKerrieCoughlinJohnKathyDrewSeanCherylFarleyRyanMauraFitzpatrickTomGinaFlanneryJohnAnnGradyJohnMaureenHailerJayLindaHooleyBarryandKristinHynesAndrewAmandaMaherChuckLindaOConnorTomShellyONeillMatthewMargaretPowerandScottNancyPowers.AnIrishNightonCapeCod13241PaulChappleJoeCorcoranSteveGreeley2JenniferEdMurphyTraceeJohnHynesRitaKevinGill3SeanCheriFarleycenterandtheirguests4TrishJackBrennanPaulMaryBethSandmanAROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDBOSTON 75connect2015BOSTONTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLD1AndrewArnottScottPowersJackConnorsSteveGreeleyJohnHailer2ScottPowersAndrewArnottJohnHailer3JackEileenConnorsReneeMikeMinogue4SteveGreeleyDickConnollyJackConnorsTerryKennedy5MikeSheehanLesleyKingGrenierJackConnors6KarenKaplanBrittDunn7MarkLundStephenBurbage8DevinErinCondronPeggyKipCondron9AndrewMaherJohnJoyceMaureenSheehanSusanneJoyce10JohnFitzpatrick11ScottPowers12DennisBurns13KieranMcLoughlin14LilyCurley15SteveGreeleyJackConnorsCongressmanJoeKennedy16SteveGreeleyScottPowersJackConnorsCongressmanJoeKennedyNOVEMBER2014Over1200guestsgatheredforTheAmericanIrelandFunds33rdAnnualBostonDinnerGalaattheWestinBostonWaterfront.Arecord-breaking2.55millionthelargestamounteverachievedattheBostonGalawasraisedforTheWorldwideIrelandFundsPromisingIrelandCampaigntosupportnonprotorganizationsacrosstheislandofIrelandandaroundtheworld.The2014BostonGalawaschairedbyScottPowersPresidentandCEOofStateStreetGlobalAdvisors.TheViceChairmenwereAndrewArnottPresidentandCEOofJohnHancockInvestmentsandJohnHailerPresidentandCEONatixisGlobalAssetManagement.The2014GalahonoredJackConnorsBostonbusinessandcommunityleaderandaNationalBoardDirectorofTheAmericanIrelandFund.DinnerChairScottPowersacknowledgedhisViceChairmenJohnHailerandAndyArnottandthebestDinnerCommitteeinBostonandannouncedtherecord-breaking2.55millionraisedTheAmericanIrelandFundChairmanJohnFitzpatrickspokeabouthowTheAmericanIrelandFundwastheidealpartnerinrealizinghisownphilanthropicgoalsandTheWorldwideIrelandFundsPresidentandCEOKieranMcLoughlinsharedstoriesofthevitalworkTheWorldwideIrelandFundsaredoing.13year-oldLilyCurleydrewtheeveningsrststandingovationwithherrenditionofAnIrishLullaby.CongressmanJoeKennedyIIIdeliveredapoignantintroductionoftheeveningshonoreeAIFNationalDirectorJackConnors.ReectingonthewitresolveandoptimismoftheIrishConnorsspokeabouthisstoriedcareerattributinghissuccesstohisIrishgiftsincludingthevaluetheIrishputonfriendshipsandrelationshipshisfamilyhisstrongfaithandhisluck.WhenheconcludedNationalDirectorMikeSheehanpresentedhimwithaWaterfordCrystalbowlwhilerecountingwithgreathumorhowJackhadsaidbackin1996thatheneverwantedtobehonoredagain.TheAmericanIrelandFund2014BostonGala1 246357AROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDBOSTON76connect2015 BOSTONTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLD810129111377connect2015 141615AROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDBOSTON78connect2015 79connect2015SANFRANCISCOTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLDNOVEMBER2014TheAmericanIrelandFundWomensLuncheonwasheldattheFourSeasonsHotelSanFrancisco.WestCoastDirectorMarjorieMuldowneywelcomedthegroupo350guestsandsingledoutLuncheonChairsOliviaGaynor-LongKathyGroganandMaureenMcFaddenwhohelpedproducethebiggestLuncheoneverheld.SpecialguestspresentincludedConsulGeneralPhilipGrantAIFBoardDirectorsPaulineRyanandBartMurphyaswellasKathleenRyanSusanHartfordBrianLongandvisitingromDublinwereDervalMarkFitzgerald.FormerLuncheonChairsinattendanceincludedSuziTinsleyErinDoyleEbelingMeaganLevitanKathleenMcDonoughandEileenMooreMurphy.SanFranciscoChieoPoliceGregSuhrgaveanentertainingintroductiontotheguestspeakerSanFranciscoFireChieJoanneHayesWhite.ChieHayesWhitewasappointedFireChieotheSanFranciscoFireDepartmentin2004andisthelongestservingChieinthecitysince1956.SanFranciscoisthelargesturbanredepartmentintheworldwithaemalechie.SpecialthankstoHonoraryChairsEJTracyPaulineRyanandMaryonDaviesLewisortheirsupportandsincereappreciationtoDeniseLaPointeLennarPropertiesCarmelSlatteryGilmoreofMicrosoftCintaGibbonsHoodStrongLLPTheIrishTechnologyLeadershipGroupITLGTheAlicePhelanSullivanCorporationVirginiaKavanaughMaryHuntEileenDArcyUCSFMedicalCenterandtheUniversityofSanFranciscoortheirgeneroustableunderwritingaswellasadditionalsupportromAdelineMcDonoghatLafayette148NewYorkJillianManusandDedeWilsey.TheLuncheonDrawingwasgenerouslysponsoredbyAerLingusoferingnewnonstopserviceromSanFranciscotoDublinalongwithTheMerrionHotelDromolandCastleandSheenFallsLodgeHotel.SanFranciscoWomensLuncheon21341LuncheonChairsMaureenMcFaddenKathyGroganandOliviaGaynor-LongwithMarjorieMuldowney2SusanHartord3GeorgeaBlakeyJamieODonnell4NatalieMooreEmilyMooreguest5PaulineRyanJoanneHayesWhiteBartMurphy6WestCoastDirectorMarjorieMuldowneySuziTinsley7MaryFoxCarmelSlatteryGilmoreCintaGibbons8OliviaGaynor-Long6758 LocalConnectionsGlobalReachLocalknowledgegoesalongwayonceyouhavetherightsource.AtMasonHayesCurranwereproudoouraward-winningreputationasadynamicaccessibleandstraight-talkinglawfrm.Ourlawyersareknownortheirunrelentingocusanddedicationtoprovidingsuperiorserviceandadvice.FindoutwhywearethepowerulchoiceinIreland.TofndouthowwecanhelppleasecontactDeclanBlackManagingPartnert35316145017edblackmhc.ieEmerGilvarryChairpersont35316145075eegilvarrymhc.ieMHC.ieDublinLondonNewYork 81connect2015WASHINGTOND.C.THEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLDSEPTEMBER2014TheWashingtonDCYoungLeadershostedtheirsignaturefundraiserHalfwayToSt.PatricksDayhonoringtheGovernorofMarylandtheHonorableMartinOMalleyattheJosephineButlerParksCenterinWashingtonDC.Over150peoplepackedtheeventwhichbeganwithanintimatechampagnereception.NationalDirectorofTheYoungLeadersPatTullyintroducedNormanHoustonofTheNorthernIrelandBureauoneofthepresentingsponsorsoftheevent.NormanspokeaboutTheAmericanIrelandFundsimportantrelationshipwithNorthernIrelandandtheongoingPeaceProcess.NormanthenintroducedKevinComnyoftheIrishEmbassywhoalsospokeaboutthewarmrelationshipwiththeFundandIrish-America.LaterintheeveningSteeringCommitteeChairMeganMolloyandViceChairPatrickLydenpresentedtheIrishSpiritAwardtoGovernorOMalleywhospokeaboutTheIrelandFundssupportforprogramsofpeaceandreconciliation.TheninasurprisemoveGovernorOMalleypickedupaguitarandperformedwithTheDannyBurnsBand.ThecrowdsangalongandgavetheGovernorarousingroundofapplause.SpecialthankstoJamesHobansBarandTheWineSpiritWholesalersofAmerica.WashingtonDCYoungLeadersHalfwaytoSt.PatricksDaySEPTEMBER292014TheWashingtonDCYoungLeadersgatheredattheEmbassyofIrelandfortheirannualSamhainIrishHalloweencelebration.KevinComnyDeputyChiefofMissionthankedtheYoungLeadersfortheirsupportofIrelandandIrishcharitiesthroughtheirinvolvementwithTheAmericanIrelandFundandintroducedtheIrishAmbassadortoTheUnitedStatesAnneAnderson.AmbassadorAndersonnotedthatthe2014SamhaincelebrationwasherrstocialeventasAmbassadorandspokeabouthowimportanttheconnectionisbetweenIrish-AmericansandIreland.SteeringCommitteeChairMeganMolloyspokeaboutthesuccessoftheHalfwayeventandthankedJohnGaineforhisworkinmakingtheeventsosuccessful.YoungLeadersSamhainAnIrishHalloween1231BronaghFinneganGov.MartinOMalleyChristopherCrosbie2MeganMolloyGov.MartinOMalleyJohnGainePatrickLyden3JulieBerryKevinMurphyKellyDragelin1ClaireFitzgibbonKevinComnyKevinMurphy2AmbassadorAnneAnderson3MeganMolloyCathalCorcoran123 82connect2015AROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDLOSANGELESDECEMBER2014TheLosAngelesAmericanIrelandFundheldaprivateCelticChristmasReception.WestCoastDirectorMarjorieMuldowneythankedAdrienneFontanellaPeterCulhaneforhostingthisgloriouseveningattheirPacicPalisadeshome.GuestsenjoyedcocktailsontheterraceaboveveacresofolivetreesoverlookingacanyontowardsthePacicOcean.AccomplishedpianistAlGreenentertainedwithwonderfulseasonalmusicandafewIrishfavorites.GuestsincludedAIFBoardDirectorHarryHartfordofCausewayCapitalSusanHartfordLisaTomBarryJoanJimLaydenandChrisKaitlynCaerkyKyle.AlsopresentwereactorMattMcCoyMaryMcCoyJulieDanMurphyDebbieTomLomisMicheleShalloeandfriendsMargaretHayhurstandAnneMurphyattendingwithsonsJamieMurphyandSeanMurphy.ElliottLembergerChristinaChaofKennedy-WilsonweretherealongwithAlanHeartyandHilaryHeartyBrendanCarrollJamesKearneyOliviaTraceyTomNapierandMaryBethDonWoods.NewfriendsofTheAmericanIrelandFundincludedMaryBrianMcCarthyMaryGeorgeGarveyKathyEldonTrevorHallMollyFlahertyandKathyHartaswellasMonsignorLiamKidneyMarjorieDeHeyPaulOverackerandPatriciaDanaher.LosAngelesCelticChristmasReception1PeterCulhaneAdrienneFontanellaHarrisCulhane2MattMcCoyMarjorieMuldowneyMaryMcCoy3SusanHarryHartford4JimLayden5JulieDanMurphy6Guests142536 83connect20151PatOBrienGavinTierney2YvonneDerrigTomONeillBridgetReidyNiamhKing3JohnOBrienJohnMaureenHartigan1PatrickZahrenLeahBurkhardtBrianDesplinterMaryClaireSullivanHannahCiurej2MeghanLeeTrisitaBarrettEdFitzpatrickBridgetFitzgeraldColleenNolanNicholasMichaelCHICAGOTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLDJULY2014PatriciaJohnOBrienhostedtheRegionalAdvisoryBoardDinnerandLeadershipForumattheirhome.ChristopherMonkhouseChairandCuratorofEuropeanDecorativeArtsattheArtInstituteofChicagopresentedanoverviewoftheupcomingexhibitIrelandonaWorldStage1690-1840openingattheArtInstituteMarch2015.Thedinnerwasprecededbythequarterlyboardmeeting.TheRegionalAdvisoryBoardDinnerandLeadershipForumisayearlyeventwhichgatherstogetherourRegionalAdvisoryBoardtheirspousesandguestsandafeaturedspeaker.ItwasawonderfuleveningofcamaraderieforkeysupportersofTheAmericanIrelandFundinChicago.JULY2014Over80ChicagoYoungLeadersenjoyedtheirannualSummerSunsetCruise.LedbyeventChairsColleenNolanandPatrickZahrentheYoungLeaderscruisedaboardShorelinesCelebrationboatundertheglowofChicagoreworks.OneluckyYoungLeaderwonasetofNotreDamefootballticketsandPatMcKillenprovidedtheentertainmentontheacousticguitar.ThiswasareturnappearanceforPatwhoagainreceivedravereviews.Anafter-partywasheldatLizzieMcNeills.ItwasabeautifulnightandachancetomeetfriendsoldandnewwhilesupportingtheimportantworkofTheAmericanIrelandFund.ChicagoRegionalAdvisoryBoardDinnerandLeadershipForumChicagoYoungLeadersSummerCruise12312 84connect2015245131ChristopherCraneAnnDavidTomONeill2MayorRahmEmanuelJimOBrienSallyJohnOBrien3JohnFitzpatrick4AndrewJ.McKennaFatherJohnJenkins5JimandEllenOConnorandJohnCanning6Amb.AnneAndersonFr.JohnJenkinsC.S.C.7AndrewMcKennaMichaelOHalleran8TomTullyJimRileyJoePower9AbbeyandBetsyCanning10KevinMcCoolTomONeillPeterChaseRobertMcLaverty11TomDianeMeagher12JohnCanningElizabethColeRitaCanningBillLynch13theroom14TomDorieFinnegan15YoungLeadersNOVEMBER2014TheAmericanIrelandFund30thAnniversaryChicagoDinnerGalawasheldattheHiltonChicago.ItwasthemostsuccessfulGalainthethree-decadehistoryoftheevent.ItwasaremarkabletributetothesupportbaseinChicagothatarecordbreaking1milliondollarfundraisinggoalwasachieved.Over700guestsgatheredatthesold-outdinnertohonorFatherJohnJenkinsC.S.C.PresidentoftheUniversityofNotreDamewithTheAmericanIrelandFund2014LeadershipAwardandEllenJimOConnorChicagocivicandphilanthropicleaderswithTheAmericanIrelandFund2014HumanitarianAward.ThomasF.MeagherJr.RegionalAdvisoryBoardChairwelcomedandthankedtheguestsgaveanupdateontheFundinChicagoandintroducedabrieflmretrospectiveofthepasthonorees.PresidentandCEOofTheWorldwideIrelandFundsKieranMcLoughlinspokeabouttheenduringlinksbetweenChicagoandIrelandandtheimpactthegenerosityofChicagoishavingatatimewhenitisneededmost.AndrewJ.McKennaFormerChairmanoftheBoardofTrusteesoftheUniversityofNotreDamepresentedtheLeadershipAwardtoFatherJohnJenkinsC.S.C.Mr.JohnCanningJrofMadisonDearbornPartnerspresentedtheHumanitarianAwardtoEllenandJimOConnor.IrelandsAmbassadortotheU.S.AnneAndersonandAIFChairmanJohnFitzpatrickwerealsoinattendancecelebratingthisimportantmilestoneinChicagoshistory.TheproceedsofthisdinnerwillbenetTheWorld-wideIrelandFundsPromisingIrelandCampaigntosupportnonprotorganizationsacrosstheislandofIrelandandaroundtheworld.InadditiondonationsweremadetothreelocalChicagocharities.ThiswasawonderfulIrishcelebrationoffamilyandfriendsmadepossiblebytheextraordinaryworkoftheDinnerCo-ChairsandCommitteeandallthosewhoattended.30thAnniversaryChicagoDinnerGalaAROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDCHICAGO 85connect2015CHICAGOTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLD7131581011612149 FEBRUARY2014FriendsandsupportersofTheAmericanIrelandFundprovidedawarmTexanwelcometoIrishAmbassadorAnneAndersononherrsttriptoTexaswhilealsomakingConsulGeneralAdrianFarrellfeelmostwelcomeinhisnewhometownofAustin.Thereceptionwasco-sponsoredbyFionnualaBarryConlonLeslieRaySullivanandBernadetteDanShelley.FromtheocesofhostRaySullivanallguestsweretreatedtomagnicentviewsoftheTexasStateCapitolwhiletheyenjoyedthe2012Viognierandthe2012TempranillowinesfromWinegeesevintnersBrennanVineyardsofComancheTexas.HostRaySullivanwelcomedeveryoneandprovidedafascinatingoverviewofthelittle-knownhistoryoftheIrishinTexas.ConsulGeneralFarrellthenthankedallpresentandsaidhelookedforwardtoplayinghispartinenlargingthecommunityofpeoplethroughoutTexaswhoareinterestedinandcommittedtoconnectingwithIreland.AmbassadorAndersonspokefondlyofherlongassociationwithTheAmericanIrelandFundandTheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSocietydatingbacktohertimeasIrelandsAmbassadortoFrancethenasAmbassadortotheUNinNewYorkandnowashercountrysAmbassadortotheUnitedStates.ShethankedTheAmericanIrelandFundforbeingagoodtrueandsupportivefriendtoIreland.HonoraryConsulGeneralandAIFNationalBoardDirectorJohnKaneclosedouttheeveningwithaveryspecialpresentationtoAmbassadorAndersonofthesecondeditionoftheaward-winningbookAKingdomofWinemadepossiblebysupportfromthepatronsoftheWineGeeseSocietyofTheIrelandFunds.HonoraryConsulGeneralKanethankedtheAmbassadorforbeingsohospitableandgracioustoTheAmericanIrelandFundandtotheWineGeeseinparticularinbothFranceandtheUS.TheIrelandFundsWineGeeseSocietyReceptionforAmbassadorAnneAndersonandTexasConsulGeneralAdrianFarrell231RayLeslieSullivanDanShelleyAmbassadorAndersonBarryFionnualaConlon2DennisKearnsCurtisGuilbotWillWynn3MichaelHegartyBrendanRobertsMichaelTreyger86connect2015AROUNDTHEWORLDTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDTEXAS1 87connect20151133TEXASTHEAMERICANIRELANDFUNDAROUNDTHEWORLDOCTOBER201450guestswelcomedIrelandsrst-everTexasConsulGeneralAdrianFarrelltoareceptionatthelandmarkHoustonPetroleumClub.TheluncheonwassponsoredbyJohnB.KaneIrelandsHonoraryConsulinHoustonNationalBoardDirectoroTheAmericanIrelandFundandTexasRegionalAdvisoryBoardChairman.HonoraryConsulKaneintroducedConsulGeneralFarrellwhothankedtheguestsormakinghimeelsoathomeinTexassincehisarrival.ConsulGeneralFarrellexpressedhisdeepappreciationorthesupportoTheAmericanIrelandFundandorbeingaloyalandsupportiveriendtoIrelandoralmost40years.HonoraryConsulKaneconcludedbypresentingConsulGeneralFarrellwithacommissionedserieso7strikingpanelswhichprovidedanoverviewothehistoryotheIrishinTexas.ThesepiecescommissionedbyJohnKaneandcreatedbyDavidF.OKeeetracetheIrishinuencethroughoutEastTexasGalvestonTheValleyHoustonNorthCentralTexasSanAntonioandWestTexas.NOVEMBER2014SupportersoTheAmericanIrelandFundgaveawarmwelcometoIrelandsTexasConsulGeneralAdrianFarrellinDallas.AIFNationalBoardDirectorMikeCorboywaspresenttowelcomethenewConsulGeneralaswereTexasRegionalAdvisoryBoardmembersDaveyDevlinandKevinHanrahan.LizaOConnoroTheAmericanIrelandFundgreetedtheguestsandintroducedthehostJohnB.KaneIrelandsHonoraryConsulinHouston.ConsulGeneralFarrellspokeoIrelandsreasonsorinvestinginTexasandoropeningaConsulateinTexas.Hecitedtheregionssharedconcentrationonhightechindustriesandacreativecan-doattitudeevidentinbothareas.HeclosedwithanexpressionosincerethankstoTheAmericanIrelandFundssteadastsupportduringIrelandsrecenteconomiccrisis.HoustonWelcomeReceptionforTexasConsulGeneralAdrianFarrellDallasWelcomeReceptionforTexasConsulGeneralAdrianFarrell1Hon.JohnKaneLizaOConnorConsulGeneralAdrianFarrell.2DavidF.OKeeeConsulGeneralAdrianFarrell3CeliaORegan-RyanBernardRyanPaulineWardDr.DenisHeadon1DaveyDevlinDarrenHefernanHon.JohnKaneConsulGeneralAdrianFarrellMikeHegartyEddieGeraghty2Hon.JohnKane3ConsulGeneralAdrianFarrellMikeCorboyMichaelFitzpatrick22 88connect2015ThisJunepleaseconsiderjoiningfriendsfromacrosstheworldattheEuropeHotelResortnestledontheshoresoftheworldfamousLakesofKillarney.LearnabouttheislandofIrelandtodayandseewhatadifferenceyouaremakingthroughyoursupportofTheIrelandFunds.FormoreinformationonattendingpleasecallNewYork2126893100orDublin35316627878TheWorldwideIrelandFundsTheEuropeHotelResortKillarneyCoKerry181920JUNEconference2015T016627878F016627879Enlynchirlfunds.orgWwww.theirelandfunds.org2ndFloor25StStephensGreenDublin2IrelandT2126893100F2126893336Ecdoyleirlfunds.orgWwww.theirelandfunds.orgTheAmericanIrelandFund345ParkAve17thFloorNewYorkNY10154USA DUBLINAROUNDTHEWORLDOCTOBER2014TheIrelandFundshostedadinneratFitzpatrickCastleHotelKillineyCo.DublintowelcomethenewlyappointedU.S.AmbassadortoIrelandKevinOMalley.TheAmbassadorwasaccompaniedbyhiswifeDena.ChairmanofTheAmericanIrelandFundJohnFitzpatrickandPresidentandCEOofTheWorldwideIrelandFundsKieranMcLoughlinintroducedAmbassadorOMalleytotheworkofTheIrelandFunds.OverdinnerguestsdiscusseditemsofinteresttobothcountriesincludingthedevelopmentofphilanthropytheeconomicrecoveryandNorthernIreland.ThenightclosedwithmusicalentertainmentandapledgebytheFundstosupporttheAmbassadorinhiscriticalwork.GuestsincludedmembersofTheAmericanIrelandFundBoardofDirectorsTomMeagherandSusanDavisChairmanofTheIrelandFundsHugoMacNeillDirectorIrelandCaitrionaFottrellFormerUSAmbas-sadortoIrelandJimKennyIrelandFundDirectorsAlanFoyTommyGallagherandhiswifeSarah.OthersupportersofTheIrelandFundsinattendanceincludedShaunMurphyCarmelMartinNaughtonandCiaranMurray.WelcomeDinnerforthenewUSAmbassadortoIreland1KieranMcLoughlinCaitrionaFottrellAmbassadorKevinOMalleyandhiswifeDenaJohnFitzpatrick2JohnFitzpatrickAmbassadorKevinOMalley3CiaranMurrayTommyGallagherAlanFoyAmbassadorKevinOMalleyKieranMcLoughlin4SusanDavisMartinNaughton5MartinNaughtonTomMeagher6SusanDavisCarmelNaughtonSarahGallagherCaitrionaFottrell21453689connect2015 90connect20151231SophieDeeganEllenMorley2JennierCarroll-MacNeillEricaSheehanChristineHefernan3PatriciaMcLoughlinBarryCrushellGuestPatrickKieltyAUGUST2014OntheeveotheCrokeParkClassictheAmericanootballcollegematchtakingplacebetweenPennStateandtheUniversityofCentralFloridaover175riendsandsupportersgatheredattheLansdowneRugbyCluboranAll-AmericanStyleBBQ.GuestsenjoyeddrinkscourtesyosponsorsJamesonandCoronaandalsoenjoyedtheHagen-DazsreezeroicecreamcourtesyoGeneralMills.Backbypopu-lardemandwastheBuckingBronco.GueststestedtheirstrengthastheybattledorthetopprizeoaNEXUSSmartphoneanda3monthcontractromBluefaceMobile.CaitlinDuyDirectorotheYoungLeadersthankedthecrowdoralltheirsupportandalsothankedtheeventcommitteeoralltheirhardworkespeciallyRichieHuggardthecommitteechairman.ItwasgreattoseerepresentativesromBelongToFightingWordsandCitywisesomeotheprogramsthatTheIrelandFundshaveunded.ThankstoKodalineordonatingVIPticketsandtotheGPAordonatingAllIrelandHurlingTickets.TheIrelandFundsYoungLeadersBBQDECEMBER2014TheIrelandFundsYoungLeadersgatheredtokickoftheChristmasseasonattheUSAmbassadorsResidenceinPhoenixPark.ThisyearwasextraspecialastheywerewelcomedbynewUSAmbassadorKevinOMalleyandhiswieDena.GuestsincludedtheFahertyFamilyrepresentingMusicGenerationLaoisandIrishOlympianSoniaOSullivan.AmbassadorOMalleywelcomedguestsandspokethegreatworkotheYoungLeadersprogram.CaitlinDuyDirectorotheYoungLeadersthankedtheAmbassadorandallthoseinattendance.ThehighlightotheeveningcamewhenAlanFoyChairmanotheYoungLeadersintroducedMarkPollocktherstblindmantoreachtheSouthPoleandtheSpiritofIrelandrecipientor2014.Marksspeechhighlightedthepoweroenduranceandpositivity.TheIrelandFundsYoungLeadersChristmasReception1231CaitrionaFottrellAlanFoyAmbassadorOMalleySoniaOSullivanCaitlinDufyMarkPollock2TheBlueaceteamenjoyingtheevening3MusicGenerationtheFahertyamilyAROUNDTHEWORLDDUBLIN 91connect2015DUBLINSPONSORSAROUNDTHEWORLDSince1996thecostofTheIrelandFundsoperationinIrelandhasbeenmetbysomeofthecountrysleadingbluechipcompanies.PARTNERSPONSORSPATRONSTHANKYOUWearesogratefulforthiscriticalsupport.Itmeansthatwecanmakegrantpaymentstoworthyprojectsinanamountequaltothevalueofthesesponsorships.ThesecompanieshaveshownanexceptionalcommitmenttoTheIrelandFundsandwearehappytosuggestthemasyourpreferredcontactsinIreland.www.goldmansachs.comwww.mhc.iewww.cpl.iewww.ipb.iewww.kpmg.iewww.blueface.ie NOVEMBER2014ItwasahappyendingtotheyearorthestafattheChildrensArkUnitatUniversityHospitalLimerickastheytookpossessionoaPaediatricCriticalCareTrolleyacquiredbythehospitalwiththehelpoagrantromTheIrelandFunds.TheChildrensArkwassupportedbyTheIrelandFundoFranceattheWildGeeseRugbyDinnerthisyearinParisontheeveotheFrance-IrelandSixNationsrugbymatch.Dr.JohnTwomeyconsultantpaediatricianatthehospitalandguestattheWildGeeseDinnerwaspresenttowelcomeHelenLambertPresidentoTheIrelandFundoFranceandAnnGarveySecretary-Generalotheassocia-tion.AstheyvisitedthewardsintheUnitheexplainedhowtheCriticalCareTrolleywouldplayavitalroleinthecareoyoungpatientswhowereseriouslyill.JulietteMcSweenyclinicalnursemanageralsospokeabouttheimportanceotransportingyoungpatientsasquicklyandassaelyaspossibleeitherwithinthehospitalorwhilebeingtranserredtoanIntensiveCareUnitinDublin.TheWildGeeseDinnerhastraditionallybeenassociatedwiththeIrelandFrancerugbymatchinParisanassociationthatwascelebratedonceagainatthehandoverceremonybythepresenceoPaulOConnellCaptainotheIrelandRugbyteamandellowMunsterandIrelandteammateKeithEarls.ThetwoplayersbothnativesoLimerickarerequentvisitorstotheChildrensArkintheirrolesasgoodwillambassadors.InherspeechHelenLambertsaidthatTheIrelandFundoFrancehadsetitseltheobjectiveomakingadiferencetopeopleslivessheeltthatthiswouldbethecaseorbothstafandpatientsinthehospitalwithsuchapracticalpieceoequipmentnowreadytobeusedincaseoanemergency.SheextendedherthankstoRonanOGaraorhissupportasguestohonourattheWildGeeseRugbydinnerandalsotothelocalbusinessesandorganizationsintheMidwestregionwhohadcontributedsogenerouslytothecharityauctionattheeventMunsterRugbyClubShannonAirportDromolandCastletheStrandHotelLimerickandShannonHeritage.TheIrelandFundofFranceAssistsTheChildrensArkUnitatUniversityHospitalLimerickLeaneMoloneyAnnGarveyHelenLambertKeithEarlsMaireadCowanMarianMurphyDr.JohnTwomeyJulietteMcSweeneyPaulOConnellFrankKeaneDr.RoyPhilipPhotoKieranClancy92connect2015AROUNDTHEWORLDFRANCE FRANCEAROUNDTHEWORLD93connect2015DECEMBER2014ThemembersoftheBoardofTheIrelandFundofFrancewelcomedKieranMcLoughlinPresidentandCEOofTheWorldwideIrelandFundsandJohnFitzpatrickChairmanofTheAmericanIrelandFundtoalunchattheIrishEmbassyinParis.AmbassadorGeraldineByrne-NasonHonoraryPresidentofTheIrelandFundofFrancewelcomedKieranandJohntotheEmbassyandspokeofthegreattiesoffriendshipthathaveexistedformanycenturiesbetweenIrelandandFrance.ItwasanopportunityforthemembersoftheBoardtodiscusstheglobalgrowthoftheFundstheimportanceoftheFrenchchaptertheirupcomingeventsandtohearaboutprojectscurrentlysupportedinIreland.TheIrelandFundofFrancelooksforwardtomakingitscontributiontothenalyearofthePromisingIrelandCampaign.TheIrelandFundofFranceBoardLuncheon1AnnGarveyH.E.GeraldineByrne-NasonTinaLignellKieranMcLoughlinKillianBijassonHelenLambertCarraSutherlandJohnFitzpatrickPatriciaHegartyCaitrionaDoyle1 94connect2015OCTOBER2014TheaternoonstartedwithachampagnereceptionatSimpsonsintheStrand.RuthMcCarthyormerChairmanotheIFGBspokeabouttheimportanceohavingsomanypowerulwomencometogetherorsuchanevent.LauraCanavanHayestheChairotheeventgaveawarmintroductionobothguestspeakersorthelunchRosHubbardoHubbardCastingandSusanHayesofHayesCulleton.AtercofeeanddessertCaitlinDuyDirectorotheYoungLeadersthankedeveryoneinattendanceandannouncedaspecialtreatoronepersonateverytable.Oneluckyguestateverytablewastreatedtoa100voucherromEmmaManleyorher2014AW14Collection.TheraeincludedsomegreatprizesincludingapieceoartromOlgaFitzpatrickagitvoucherromDublinYoungLeaderChloeOConnortoherwebsiteLoveletters.ieandahamperoIrishhomemadebeautyproductsromANU.SpecialthankstoeveryonewhocontributedtotheraeandmakingtheaternoonsuchasuccessincludingCondeNastwhogenerouslycontributedacopyoVoguetoeverygitbagandMaryConlonAlmassyorhergeneroussupport.AveryspecialthankyoutoSelfridgesnotonlyweretheyoureventsponsorbuttheyputtogetherthemostwonderulgitbagsasatakeaway.TheIrelandFundofGreatBritainLadiesLunchOCTOBER2014MichaelFlatleyTheLondonPalladiumwelcomedagroupo200Irishpensionerstowatchaperor-manceohisnewshowLordofTheDanceDangerousGames.MichaelsgenerousinvitationwasaonceinalietimeopportunityormanyothemtoexperiencethethrillsandexcitementoaWestEndshow.TheeventwasorganisedbyBernardMcEvoyIrishpartneroBrownRudnicklawrminconjunctionwithTheIrelandFundoGreatBritainwhokindlyallocatedtheticketstothevariousIrishpensionergroupsbasedacrossLondonwhichtheIFGBsupports.TheLordotheDancehimselMichaelFlat-leypersonallygreetedthegroupandhappilyposedorphoto-graphsandsignedautographs.MichaelFlatleyLordoftheDance142531NormaThomasAnneGormanMargaretDeal2SusanHayes3RosHubbardRuthMcCarthyLauraCanavan-HayesSusanHayesCulloten4LaoiseHayesandGuests5CaitlinDufyRosHubbardSusanHayesSeanHendersonAROUNDTHEWORLDGREATBRITAIN1 95connect2015GREATBRITAINAROUNDTHEWORLDOCTOBER2014Over300guestsgatheredorTheIrelandFundoGreatBritainsAnnualWinterBallatTheLandmarkLondonHotel.TheWinterBallhonoredtwooutstandingmenortheircontributiontoIrishculturallieinGreatBritain.CillianMurphywasrecognizedorhiscontributionthroughtheartsandNiallQuinnorhiscontributionthroughsport.SkyNewsreporterDermotMurnaghanwastheMCortheeveninganddidabrilliantjobinterviewingbothotheawardeesabouttheirworkexperiencesasIrishmenlivinginLondontheworkoTheIrelandFundsandwhatsnextorthem.TheWinterBallwaschairedbyPadraigBrennanandBrianMcGlennonandwassupportedbyanoutstandingeventcommittee.TheWorldwideIrelandFundsPresidentandCEOKieranMcLoughlincapturedtheattentionotheroomashekickedoftheeveningsproceedings.AhealthymixowitandsubstanceremindedtheaudiencethattheirpresenceattheBallisvitaltoTheIrelandFundsandtheworktheycontinuetodoworldwide.RepresentativesromthechosencharitiesonthenightMindYourselfandTheAislingProjectspokemovinglyandpassionatelyaboutthechallengestheirorganizationsaceonadailybasis.ThiswasollowedbyauctioneerortheeveningormerIrishRugbyinternationalFergusSlatteryinvitingtheaudiencetopledgedonationstotheseworthycharities.WiththeormalitiesoveritwastimeordancingtothesoundoTheWestsideSyncopators.IntrueIrishstylethecelebrationslastedwellintotheweesmallhours.TheIrelandFundofGreatBritainWinterBall1231Guests2AmbassadorMulhallCillianMurphyDermotMurnaghan3JohnFitzpatrick4NiallQuinnCillianMurphyDermotMurnaghanBrianMcGlennon5RuairiConneelyKieranMcLoughlinSeamusMcGarry6CillianMurphy7MembersotheIFGBMizentoMalincycle8CaitrionaOFlahertyThomasHeeneyandLauraFarrington45786 96connect2015AROUNDTHEWORLDMONACOComecelebratewithusinMonteCarloFurtherinformationtofollow.ContactTheAmericanIrelandFundat212.689.3100www.theirelandfunds.orginvitesyoutosavethedatesfortheGalaWeekend2015October2-42015 COMINGINAPRIL212015ATALKANDREADINGSFROMHOMEFROMENGLANDBYJAMESRYANDIRECTOROFTHECREATIVEWRITINGPROGRAMMESCHOOLOFENGLISHDRAMAANDFILMUNIVERSITYCOLLEGEDUBLINThePrincessGraceIrishLibraryundertheAegisoftheFondationPrincesseGraceisdelightedtoannounceJamesRyanasthe2015IrelandFundofMonacoAcademicinResidence.JameswilllectureinAprilattheLibraryandallareinvitedtoattend.TheIrelandFundofMonacoResidentialBursariesMONACOAROUNDTHEWORLDInhislandmarkhistoryIreland1912-1985PoliticsandSocietyProfes-sorJosephLeestatesthattheimprintleftbyemigrationwillfeatureprominentlyasthearchaeologyofthemodernIrishmindcomestobeexcavatedfurtheraddingthatitistothewritersthehistorianmustturnasusualforthelargertruth.Quiteanaccoladeforthewritersbutontheissueinquestionitmaynotbedeserved.Thegenerationofwriterswhichmighthavebeenexpectedtoproducethelargertruthaboutemigrationfromthewaryearstotheearlynineteensixtiesdidnotmakeaconspicuousattempttodoso.InexploringthereasonsforthisJamesRyanhopestopresentanimportantdimensionoftwentieth-centuryIrishliterarylifewhilesimultaneouslycreatingthebackdroptoaseriesofshortreadingsfromhisrstnovelanemigrationnarrativeHomefromEngland.HisnovelsincludeHomefromEnglandPhoenixLon-don1995DismantlingMrDoylePhoenixLondon1997SeedsofDoubtWeidenfeldNicolsonLondon2001andSouthoftheBorderLilliputDublin2008.ThenovelonwhichheiscurrentlyworkingTalkingtoStrangersisdueforpublicationin2015.HewasmarriedtothelateCarolineWalshLiteraryEditoroftheIrishTimesfrom1999to2011.BasedinDublinJamesisactivelyinvolvedintheliterarylifeofthecity.ToattendonApril212015kindlyRSVPtoPrincessGraceIrishLibrary9ruePrincesseMarie-de-LorraineMonaco-VilleMC98000PrincipautdeMonacoTel37793501225pglibmonaco.mcwww.pgil.mc97connect2015WhydidtheIrishexperienceofemigrationsoprevalentinthepostwarperiodfeaturesorarelyintheliteratureofthetimeAuthorJamesRyan AUGUST2014AnumberoSydney-basedYoungLeadersparticipatedintheworldslargestunruntheinamous14kmCity2SurstartinginHydeParkandnishingattheiconicBondiBeach.AllrunnerswhoraninsupportotheFundwerekittedoutinverystylishAustralianIrelandFundrunningt-shirtswhichweregenerouslysponsoredbyExecutiveDirectorTeresaKeating.OncepastthenishlinerunnerswereabletoavailosnacksmusicandmassagesandamuchneededcofeeintheWestpactentthankstoAIFTreasurerYvonneleBas.SydneyCitytoSurfOCTOBER2014InrecognitionotheirsupportthisyeartheChairmanandBoardoTheAustralianIrelandFundinvitedthemembersotheYoungLeadersNetworktojointogetheroranintimatereceptiontonetworkandmeetwithBoardmembers.ThenightwashostedbyDirectorPeterRyanandhissonPatrickattheRepublicHotel.GuestswereluckyenoughtohearromspeakersYvonneleBasTreasurerotheAIFYvonneisCFOGroupServicesGMEnterpriseInvestmentsDeliveryatWestpac.TherecentlyarrivedSydneyConsulGeneralJaneConnollyandBrendanSheehantheNationalHeadotheYoungLeadersalsospoke.SydneyYoungLeadersReception1122331KeithHorganDavidCreavenStephenLehane2KeithHorganDavidCreavenMalcolmByrne3DermotRyanKeithHorgan1YvonneleBasBarryKeenan2BrendanSheehanJaneConnollyRonanMacSweeney3GeraldineMurphyAndreaMcElhinneyJohnGallagher98connect2015AROUNDTHEWORLDAUSTRALIA 99connect2015AUSTRALIAAROUNDTHEWORLDAUGUST2014TheluncheontookplaceatVictoriaParkHerstonforthersttime.TeresaKeatingprovidedaprogressupdateontheactivitiesandprojectssupportedbyTheAustralianIrelandFund.AmbassadorNoelWhitespokeoftheim-portantroleplayedbytheglobalIrishcommunityinstayingengagedwithIrelandandsupportingitovertheyearsemphasisingtheimportancetheGovernmentattachestothediaspora.FinallyEmilioOrnyengaiaaMaristCollegeAshgrovestudentspokeeloquentlyabouthowhepersonallybenetsfromthequalityeducationhereceivesatMaristCollegethankinghisPrincipalPeterMcLoughlintheAustralianIndigenousEducationFoundationandTheAustralianIrelandFund.Thankyoutoallwhoattendedanddonatedourworkwouldnotbepossiblewithoutyourhelp.BrisbaneGalaLuncheon1231BrigitteHinnebergMaryJohnsonDrTomMooreTinaAlexandrouKiahWesselandguests2GuestswithJamesMetzelingEmilioOrnyengaia3BrigitteHinnebergMaryJohnsonAmbassadorNoelWhite 100connect2015SEPTEMBER2014TheAustralianIrelandFundwerehonouredtohostablacktiedinnerorormerIrishPresidentMaryMcAleeseatTheStartoraiseundsortheChairoModernIrishStudiesattheUniversityofNewSouthWales.ItisacausewellrememberedbyandclosetotheheartoDr.McAleeseandsherecalledlaunchingtheundraisingcampaignonherrstvisittoAustraliain1998.AspecialpresentationoTheIrelandFundsBirdandBellAwardwasmadebyDr.McAleeseandChairmanJohnONeillAOtoLadyMaryFairfaxACOBEorallhersupportoverthelast10yearstointegratededucationinNorthernIrelandtheawardwasacceptedbyLeeThomasonLadyFairaxsbehal.OtherspeakersincludedtheChairmanoTheAustralianIrelandFundJohnONeillAOwhowarmlywelcomedDr.McAleesebacktoAustralia.HisExcellencyNoelWhitespokeabouttheimportanceoTheAustralianIrelandFundanditssupportortheChairoModernIrishStudies.ProessorRonanMcDonaldotheGlobalIrishStudiesCentreprovidedacomprehensivesummaryotheworkbeingdonebytheCentreandtheimportanceoitscontinuation.ManygreatsupportersotheChairoModernIrishStudieswereacknowledgedontheeveningincludingormerIrishAmbas-sadorRichardOBrienMaryLeeandProessorPatrickOFarrellwhowasrememberedorallhisefortsorIrishstudies.PresidentMaryMcAleeseTributeDinner1231LeeThomasDr.MaryMcAleeseJohnONeill2JohnONeillYvonneleBasDr.MartinMcAleeseDr.MaryMcAleesePro.RonanMcDonald3BernadetteOBrienDr.MaryMcAleeseDr.MartinMcAleeseRichardOBrienAROUNDTHEWORLDAUSTRALIA 101connect2015AUSTRALIAAROUNDTHEWORLDNOVEMBER2014TheAustralianIrelandFundsagshipeventoftheyeartheannualGardenPartyNauticalIrelandtookplaceatthegroundsofLadyFairfaxshomeFairwateroverlookingthespectacularSydneyHarbour.ExecutiveDirectorTeresaKeatingcommencedformalitiesthankingcloseto500guestsfortheirsupportaswellascongratulatingFergusDeliaDoyleontheirMelbourneCupwinaspartowners.JonesyAmandaofWSFMkeptthecrowdentertainedasMCsforthedaywiththeirpatterandhumourastheyoutlinedamongstotherthingstherst-everraeforacaraCitroenprovidedbyCiaranDavisofAustralianRadioNetworkandChrisKnaapofCitroenPorscheParramatta.ChairmanJohnONeillAOtooktothestagewithHisExcellencyNoelWhiteaddressingthelargecrowdwithgratitudefortheirroleinprovidingmuch-neededhelptoouragshipprojects.JohnalsopaidtributetoformerAustralianPrimeMinisterGoughWhitlamwhorecentlypassedawayandrememberedMargaretWhitlamasoneoftheoriginalmembersoftheBoardofTheAustralianIrelandFund.TheChairmanwentontoociallythankLadyMaryFairfaxACOBEforherhospitalityandallhercontinuinggenerosityinallowingustohostouragshipeventatFairwater.KieranMcLoughlinPresidentandCEOofTheWorldwideIrelandFundsthenaddressedthecrowdhighlightingAustraliasimportantroleinthefamilyofTheWorldwideIrelandFundsandthankedeverybodygatheredforallthattheydo.GuestswerethentreatedtoaperformancebyBoysintheBandwhohadeveryonedancingintheaisles.SydneyGardenPartyatFairwater14231AnnaFairfaxLadyMaryFairfaxKateFairfax2ChairmanJohnONeill3YvonneleBasAmandaKellerTeresaKeatingBrendanJones4CiaranDavisJuliaHarle5CharlesCurranAnaCurranandguest6AnnaFairfax7DavidEnglmanCaseyMauraEnglman8HollyHughONeill5768 102connect2015NOVEMBER2014TheSydneyYoungLeadersgatheredatRyansBartocelebratetheyearthatwaswithnewandoldriends.ThenightprovidedtheopportunitytocatchupandnetworkoveradrinkortwotocelebratethestartotheChristmasseasonwhilstsupportingthephilanthropicworkoTheAustralianIrelandFund.AspecialthankstoAustralianIrelandFundBoardMemberPeterRyanorhostingsuchawonderulnightatRyansBar.SpecialguestsontheeveningincludedConsulGeneralJaneConnollyAmberandDerekClearyrepresentingtheRyanamilyandAustralianIrelandFundExecutiveDirectorTeresaKeating.SydneyYoungLeadersChristmasDrinksDECEMBER2014TheAustralianIrelandFundMelbourneYoungLeadersandtheIrishAustralianChamberofCommercetogethercelebratedasuccessul2014withaFamilyDaypicnicatHaysPaddock.FamiliesandriendsweretreatedtoaBBQalongwitharangeounandactivities.Theentertainmentkickedofwithourmembersbothyoungandoldshowingoftheirhurlingsoccerandcricketskillsollowedbyactivitiesorourlittlemembers.ItwassuchaperectdaythatSantaOClauscouldntresistmakinganearlyChristmasappearancetoshareaewtreatswiththeveryexcitedchildren.TheaternoonwasaimedatsayingthankyoutoeveryonewhohassupportedtheFundthroughout2014.MelbourneChristmasFamilyDay1231KeithHorganDylanCarrollEoinDieySiobhanTuiteAnthonyCullen2AmberClearyDerekCleary3FrankMulcahyMariaCrabbeConsulGeneralJaneConnollyLouiseKelly1ColinEganAmandaEganSandraBooth2TheHanleyamily-SarahAdrianHamishTillyandPaddy3SantawithMajellaAnneHumberstoneAROUNDTHEWORLDAUSTRALIA123 AUSTRALIAAROUNDTHEWORLDSEPTEMBER2014In2014oneofthemostgeneroussupportersofTheAustralianIrelandFundLadyMaryFairfaxACOBEreceivedTheIrelandFundsBirdandBellaward.Theawardwasestablishedin1978andisgiventothosewhohavebeenoutstandingambassadorsforIrelandthroughtheirinvolvementwithTheIrelandFunds.LadyMaryisthesecondAustralianrecipientoftheaward.LadyFairfaxjoinsanexclusiveandvariedlistofrecipients.PastwinnersrangefromtheimpeccablydressedPhilipTreacyandLouiseKennedytothepoliticallybraveJohnHumeMoMowlamandMaryMcAleese.ThediverselistofwinnersallshareonethingincommonacommitmenttosupportingpeaceandcharityontheislandofIreland.LadyFairfaxandfamilyhavebeengeneroussupportersofTheAustralianIrelandFundforover25years.TheBirdandBellawardwasgiveninparticularrecognitionofthe1milliondonatedtoTheAustralianIrelandFundinNovember2003toestablishtheSirWarwickFairfaxTrustSWFTinhonourofLadyMaryslatehusband.ThisdonationtosupportIntegratedEducationinNorthernIrelandwastheseedforafurther12.1millioncommitmenttothatcause.Only7ofchildreninNorthernIrelandareeducatedinintegratedschoolswhicharelargelyfundedbyorganiza-tionslikeTheIrelandFundsSWFTandotherdonors.OneexampleofwhathasbeenachievedwithsupportfromtheSWFTisRowandaleIntegratedPrimarySchool.Theschoolhasgrownfrom18pupilsin2007to399in2014.AsPaulCaskeyCampaignDirectoroftheIntegratedEducationFundexplainsTheSirWarwickFairfaxTrustAustralianIrelandFundhavebeenwithusallthewayinsupportingthisbrilliantintegratedschoolhelpingtoprovideadditionalaccommodationwhenitwassodesperatelyneeded.Itisamazingwhatcanhappenwithsuchsupport.TheBirdandBellAwardisGiventoLadyMaryFairfaxACOBE103connect2015 HONGKONGAROUNDTHEWORLDNOVEMBER2014150supportersoTheIrelandFundoChinawerejoinedattheConradHotelGrandBallroomHongKongbyIrishRugbyLegendRonanOGaraandthekeyexecutivesotheHongKongGuideDogsAssociationHKGDAoneothechosenbeneciarieswhowereonhandtoinormandeducateguestsontheirimportantwork.DonalBoylanrepresentingTheIrelandFundoChinakickedoftheeveningbyintroducingKieranMcLoughlinWorldwideIrelandFundsPresidentCEO.KieranspoketotheimportanceoTheIrelandFundsandtherecentupsurgeointerestinAsia.BrianFrancisHKGDADirectoroBusinessDevelopmentandTrainingprovidedacompellingoverviewotheHongKongcharitysimportantwork.HKGDAsupportsindependentlivinginabarrier-reesocietydeliveringareeserviceorpeoplewithvisualimpairmentautismandotherdisabilities.TraderIponeoonly10guidedogusersinHongKongsharedherpersonallie-changingexperienceduetoherbelovedguidedogRiley.Thescenewassetorablindcharityauctionwhereeagerguestsgenerouslybidortheprivilegeonamingaguide-dogpuppyoraRonanOGarapersonallyautographedIrishMunsterrugbyjerseysplusaRoyKeaneautographedIrelandSoccerjerseyarrangedbyourotherkeybeneciaryIrishGuideDogs.RonanOGarathencaptivatedtheaudiencebytakingquestionsromtheoorwiththeinsightulPeterRyanIrelandsrstConsulGeneralinHongKongactingasMC.TheeveninghasresultedinasignicantproleorTheIrelandFundsamongsttheIrishandtheirriendsinHongKongandsignicantundingorthebenetoboththeIrishGuideDogsandHongKongGuideDogsAssociation.TheIrelandFundofChinaDinner1ClemRickieMcCloskeyBrianFrancis2CyrilFungRituSandhuAnnieWang3DonalBoylanRonanOGaraKieranMcLoughlin4TaraMcCloskeyRonanOGara5FiannaChiPatrickMaloney6KieranMcLoughlinHarryONeill7LindaMurrayVivienGuoOisinMurrayJoyceNgAnthonyLeung8RonanOGaraTeresaRyanConsulGeneralPeterRyan9SarahPaulWeerappahKayTaoKellyChowKevinNg147369258105connect2015 NOVEMBER2014Over300riendsandsupportersoTheSingaporeIrelandFundgatheredattheprestigiousSt.RegisHoteltoenjoyanotherEmeraldBalltheannualmajorundraisingeventinTheSingaporeIrelandFundscal-endar.ThethemeothisyearsBallwasTheEnchantedForestandtheballroomandtablesweresuitablydecoratedwithplentyogreeneryandaprousionobutteries.Theselectedcharityor2014wastheAutismResourceCentreSingaporeARCwhichunderthedirectionoPresidentDenisePhuaisplanningtodevelopadedicatedartstudiooryoungadultswithautism.FundsraisedattheBallwillbedonatedtoARCtoalloworthesettingupandequippingothisneprojectandwillbematched11bySingaporeGovernmentunding.ThegenerosityothelocalSingaporeandIrishcommunitywaswellreectedinthemanysupportersandsponsorswhocontributedmoniesdirectlyordonateditemsorinclusionintheliveandsilentauctionswhichmadeasignicantcontributiontothenancialsuccessotheevening.SpecialguestsincludedthenewIrishAmbassadortoSingaporeGeofreyKeatingandhislovelywieJaneDenisePhuawhoalongwithherworkorARCisalsoMayoroCentralDistrictSingaporeandherhusbandRolandTayTheWorldwideIrelandFundsPresidentCEOKieranMcLoughlinTheSingaporeIrelandFundChairmanDr.StanleyQuekandhiswieBeBe.TheEmeraldBallTheEnchantedForest213564AROUNDTHEWORLDSINGAPORE106connect20151DenisePhuaAmbassadorGeofreyKeatingDr.StanleyQuek2Guests3JaneKeatingKieranMcLoughlin4KathyLim-SheehyEmilyDeBruijckereGeorgianaVerdonk5CrystalLim-LeahyMonthidaMcCoole6ColinMacDonald IRELANDRonanFoleyTheNewChairmanoftheBoardofTheIrelandFundsinIrelandInJanuary2015RonanFoleybeganhistermasChairmanoftheBoardofTheIrelandFundsinIreland.RonanjoinedtheboardofTheIrelandFundsin2012.HeisChiefExecutiveofIPBInsuranceoneofIrelandsleadinggeneralinsurancecompanies.AnativeofDublinheisagraduateoftheMarketingInstituteofIrelandandtheInsuranceInstituteofIreland.Heisaregularspeakerandcommentatoraroundbusinessstrategyandsocialprogressthroughcorporatesocialengagement.MONACOOliviaGaynor-LongTheNewChairmanofTheIrelandFundofMonacoOliviaisanangelinvestorinprivatetechnologycompaniesinIrelandandSiliconValleyandistheOwnerCEOofResidencePrivateMembersClubinDublin.SheisaformerChairofTheSanFranciscoAmericanIrelandFundWomensLuncheonandtheSanFranciscoGalaDinnerCommittee.InMarchOliviaandherhusbandBrianGaynor-LongwillreceiveTheAmericanIrelandFund2015DistinguishedLeadershipAwardfortheirphilanthropiccontributionsandsuccessinbusiness.ThecouplehavethreechildrenanddividetheirtimebetweenMonacoDublinandPaloAlto.NEWZEALANDColumRiceTheNewChairmanofTheIrelandFundofNewZealandColumRiceisjoiningtheorganizationasChairman.ColumgrewupinBelfastandattendeduniversityinBritain.HejoinedArthurAnderseninLondonuntilmovingtoNewZealandin1998.ColumjoinedPwCspecializinginmergersandacquisitionsandhadaleadingroleindevelopingthatbusinessforPwCinNewZealand.OverrecentyearsColumhasalsotakenaleadingroleingrowingtheBusinessAnalyticspracticeatPwCNZinadditiontodevelopinghisownprivatebusinessinterests.TheWorldwideIrelandFundsWelcomeNewLeaders107connect2015WELCOME 108connect2015theamericanirelandfundJamesR.BoyleHealthFleetInc.BostonMassachusettsLorettaBrennanGlucksmanChairmanEmeritusAIFNewYorkNewYorkPatrickBroeTheBroeCompaniesDenverColoradoJeremiahCallaghanLegentClearingLLCNewYorkNewYorkLiamCaseyPCHInternationalSanFranciscoCaliforniaThomasCoddPricewaterhouseCoopersDallasTexasChristopherM.CondronretiredAXAFinancialIncorporatedNewYorkNewYorkJohnM.ConnorsJr.TheConnorsFamilyOfceBostonMassachusettsMichaelR.CorboyCorboyInvestmentCompanyDallasTexasJosephE.CorcoranCorcoranJennisonCompaniesBostonMassachusettsThomasCorcoranCorcoranEnterprisesPotomacMarylandCharlesU.DalyChathamMassachusettsSusanDavisSusanDavisInternationalWashingtonD.C.LoreMoranDodgePalmBeachFloridaJohnDuyKBWNewYorkNewYorkJohnJackP.DunfeyTheDunfeyFamilyGroupBostonMassachusettsRobertJ.DunfeyTheDunfeyGroupPortsmouthNewHampshireIrialFinanTheCoca-ColaCompanyAtlantaGeorgiaAnneFinucaneBankofAmericaBostonMassachusettsJohnFitzpatrickChairmanAIFFitzpatrickHotelGroupNorthAmericaNewYorkNewYorkAmbassadorElizabethFrawleyBagleyU.S.DepartmentofStateWashingtonD.C.KenGormanApolloTennisVenturesLongboatKeyFloridaDonHanrattyOptmanceCareerPartnersInternationalPlanoTexasHarryHartfordCausewayCapitalManagementLosAngelesCaliforniaDenisJ.HealyTurtleWaxInc.WillowbrookIllinoisJamesS.HigginsMorganStanleyJerseyCityNewJerseyMichaelHigginsCIBCWorldMarketsNewYorkNewYorkJosephJayL.HooleyStateStreetCorporationBostonMassachusettsMichaelJacksonPalmBeachFloridaAdrianJonesGoldmanSachsCo.NewYorkNewYorkJohnB.KaneHonoraryConsulGeneralAspenColoradoShaunT.KellyKPMGLLPNewYorkNewYorkMicheleKesslerTheKesslerFamilyFoundationPalmBeachFloridaLesleyKingGrenierBostonMassachusettsJohnT.LynchSanDiegoUnionTribuneSanDiegoCaliforniaPeterS.LynchFidelityManagementResearchCompanyBostonMassachusettsJackManningBostonCapitalCorporationBostonMassachusettsTaraMcCabeThePermalGroupNewYorkNewYorkDoloresL.McCallMcCallOilandGasMidlandTexasRobertMcCannUBSFinancialServicesInc.NewYorkNewYorkBrendanMcDonaghTheBankofNTButtereldandSonLtdHamiltonBermudaWilliamS.McKiernanWSMCapitalLLCLosGatosCaliforniaWilliamJ.McNallyEsq.TheMcNallyGroupHinghamMassachusettsEugeneM.McQuadeCitibankN.A.NewYorkNewYorkThomasF.MeagherJr.GCMGrosvenorChicagoIllinoisAngelaMooreRavensdaleCapitalLLCWashingtonD.C.BoardofDirectors 109connect2015theamericanirelandfundDanielF.MulvihillPacicSouthwestRealtyServicesSanDiegoCaliforniaBartholomewMurphyMurphyInvestmentsSanFranciscoCaliforniaShaneNaughtonInundataVenturesNewYorkNewYorkDuncanNiederauerNewYorkNewYorkMichaelD.OHalleranAonBeneldChicagoIllinoisRonaldP.OHanleyBostonMassachusettsSheilaOMalleyRockeetMediaInc.PalmBeachFloridaThomasP.ONeillIIIONeillAssociatesBostonMassachusettsSirAnthonyOReillyFitzwiltonDublinIrelandLadyOReillyOrionGlobalCharteringCompanyNewYorkNewYorkThomasC.QuickFirstPalmBeachPropertiesInc.PalmBeachFloridaPaulS.QuinnEsq.NossamanLLPWashingtonD.C.RobertReynoldsPutnamInvestmentsBostonMassachusettsAmbassadorDanielRooneyThePittsburghSteelersPittsburghPAPaulineRyanWoodsideCaliforniaJohnT.SharkeyKaneSaundersandSmartNewYorkNewYorkMikeSheehanTheBostonGlobeBostonMassachusettsG.CraigSullivanSanFranciscoCaliforniaEJTracyTracyIndustriesSantaAnaCaliforniaMarkTuoheyBrownRudnickLLPWashingtonD.C.NettaBlanchardDallasTXBrianP.BurnsPalmBeachFLJohnCosgroveWashingtonDCWalterCurleyNewYorkNYMaryonDaviesLewisSanFranciscoCAHenryFeeleyChicagoILRobertP.FitzgeraldBostonMAJonK.FolanSanFranciscoCAThomasJordanSanFranciscoCADenisKelleherNewYorkNYDonaldKeoughAtlantaGABartleyMacPhaidinC.S.C.NorthEastonMAPatRooneyWestPalmBeachFLTimRooneyYonkersNYShirleyRyanWinnetkaILOcersLifeTrusteesChairmanJohnFitzpatrickNewYorkNewYorkTreasurerChristopherM.CondronNewYorkNewYorkSecretarySheilaOMalleyNewYorkNewYorkPresidentandCEOKieranMcLoughlinTheWorldwideIrelandFunds TheWorldwideIrelandFundshavecloseto40yearsoexperienceconnectingphilanthropicvisionwithinitiativesthatmakeadiference.YourlastingpartnershipwithTheAmericanIrelandFundbuildsabridgebetweenthepastandtheuturehelpingensuretheworkyouvaluetodaywillcontinuetomakeadiferencetomorrow.MakeaLastingGifttoIrelandjointheheritagesocietytoensurethatyourloveofirelandbenefitsgenerationstocome.HeritageSocietyTheAmericanIrelandFundcanhelpyouidentifythebestoptionstofulllyourphilanthropicvision.Bequestsarethemostpopularandexibleplannedgifts.ItisasimplemattertoincludeabequesttoTheAmericanIrelandFunddirectlyinyourwillorinacodiciltoyourwill.Inadditiontobequeststherearemanyothertax-ecientoptionstochoosefromgiftofsecuritiesrealestategiftsoflifeinsurancelifeincomegiftsgiftsofpersonalpropertysuchasartworkrarebooksetc.InmanycasesTheAmericanIrelandFundmaynotbeawarethatyouareconsideringincludingtheFundinyourestateplans.Pleasecontactustoletusknowofyourintentionssothatwemayinturnacknowledgeandrecognizeyourfuturecontributions.Yourlegacywillbetreatedwithcare.110connect2015 weinviteyoutolearnmoreabouthowtocreatealastinglegacyforireland.forfurtherinformationcontactLizaOConnorVicePresidentofMajorGiftsTheAmericanIrelandFund5646MiltonStreetSuite313DallasTX75206T469.232.9601F469.232.9602Eloconnorirlfunds.orgTheAmericanIrelandFundisatax-exemptorganizationincorporatedunderthelawsoftheUnitedStatesandhasbeendeterminedbytheIRStobeapubliccharityundersection501c3oftheInternalRevenueCode.TheAmericanIrelandFundstaxIDis25-1306992MyphilanthropyismotivatedbyawishtogivebackandadesiretoseeIrelandreachherfullpotential.TheIrelandFundshavebeenamajorfocalpointfortheIrishdiasporatocometo-getherreconnectwiththeirheritageandsupportgoodworkathome.JohnRyanCaliforniacanreflectallthatisimportanttoyouDuringourlongassociationwithTheAmericanIrelandFundwehavewitnessedtheFundsabilitytorecognizeandrespondtotheopportunitiesthatmakearealimpactinIreland.WechosetomakeourbequestanundirectedgiftsotheFundwillcontinuetohavetheexibilitytorespondtoarangeofareasthattheydeterminehavethemostpressingneeds.BydoingsoweareensuringthattheAIFwillcontinuetoeectivelyhelpIrelandnowandinthefuture.KipandPeggyCondronNewYorkTheHeritageSocietyYourLegacyensuresthatyourloveofirelandbringsbenefitstodayandtogenerationstocome.111connect2015 contactsUSOFFICESNewYork345ParkAvenue17thFloorNewYorkNY10154T212.689.3100F212.689.3336Enewyorkirlfunds.orgKieranMcLoughlinPres.CEOTheWorldwideIrelandFundsPatrickJ.TullyNewYorkDirectorNationalDirectoroftheYoungLeadersClionaDoyleProjectsManagerBoston211CongressStreet10thFloorBostonMA02110T617.574.0720F617.574.0730Esgreeleyirlfunds.orgTomOLearyChiefOperatingOfcerSteveGreeleyNewEnglandDirectorRachelAlabisoChiefCommunicationsOfcerBrianBeckDirectorofITAnneMooneyChiefFinancialOfcerDevinGearyCRMResearchSpecialistPatriciaMcCarthyAccountantMimiMahoneyEventsAssoc.Asst.totheNewEnglandDirectorSanFranciscoFourMainStreetSuite10LosAltosCA94022T650.949.5239F650.949.5256Emmuldowneyirlfunds.orgMarjorieMuldowneyWestCoastDirectorDallasMeadowsBuilding5646MiltonStreetSuite313DallasTX75206T469.232.9601F469.232.9602Eloconnorirlfunds.orgLizaOConnorVicePresidentofMajorGiftsKarlaStoverEventsAssoc.Dev.Asst.totheVPofMajorGiftssChicago205W.WackerDriveSuite1400ChicagoIL60606T312.419.9304F312.553.2007Ernneganlefevourirlfunds.orgRoseannFinneganLeFevourMidwestDirectorREGIONALEVENTCONTACTSNewYorkCityCarlaCaponeT212.213.1166PittsburghTheresaKaufmanT412.207.0760PhiladelphiaPatrickJ.TullyT212.689.3100SanDiegoLosAngelesMarjorieMuldowneyT650.949.5239SanFranciscoMaryanneMurrayT415.564.3846WashingtonDCSusanONeillT301.320.8232INTERNATIONALOFFICESDublinOceDonorCentreTheIrelandFunds2ndFloor25StStephensGreenDublin2IrelandT353.1.662.7878F353.1.662.7879Ecfottrellirlfunds.orgCaitrionaFottrellVicePresidentDirectorIrelandNicholaLynchEventsAdministrationMgr.SandraMcDermottGrantsOfcerCaitlinDuffyYoungLeadersDirectorJordanCampbellProgrammesMgr.TheAustralianIrelandFund413BourkeStreetSurryHillsNSW2010AustraliaT612.9357.2350Etkeatingirlfunds.orgJohnONeillChairmanTeresaKeatingExecutiveDirectorTheIrelandFundofGreatBritainWigglesworthHouse2ndFloor69SouthwarkBridgeRoadLondonSE19HH.GreatBritainT44.02.0794.09850F44.20.7378.8376Eshendersonirlfunds.orgMarkCarriganManagingDirectorSeanHendersonFinancialControllerTheIrelandFundofJapanShidomeBuilding15thoor1-2-20KaiganMinato-kuTokyo105-0022JapanT03.6219.2907Eboylanfmp-pms.comPaulBoylanPresidentTheIrelandFundofCanada67YongeStreetSuite401TorontoOntarioM5E1J8CanadaT416.367.8311F416.367.5931Ejnoonanirlfunds.orgOliverMurrayNationalChairJaneNoonanExecutiveDirectorTheIrelandFundofChinaLevel10CentralBuilding1-3PedderStreetCentralHongKongT852.3478.7318F852.3975.2800Ebillcondonmultitudefoundation.orgBillCondonActingChairTheIrelandFundofFrance42RueVignon75009ParisFranceT33.7.77.67.79.09Eann.garveyirlfunds.orgHelenLambertPresidentTheIrelandFundofNewZealandLevel3TowerOne205QueenStreetAuckland1010NewZealandT649.977.2252F649.977.2256Enewzealandirlfunds.orgColumRiceChairmanDeniseFlanaganSecretaryTheIrelandFundofMonacoEuropaRsidencePlacedesMoulinsMC98000MonacoT33.0.678.635.540OliviaGaynor-LongPresidentSileJacksonAdministratorTheIrelandFundofGermanycoAnwaltskanzleilawrmElmarConrads-HasselMozartstrasse553115BonnGermanyT49.228.221.118F49.228.96399122Era.conrads-hasselt-online.deElmarConrads-HasselChairmanTheSingaporeIrelandFund491BRiverValleyRoad13-01AValleyPointSingapore248373T65.6339.2866Esingaporeirlfunds.orgDr.StanleyQuekChairman112connect2015 Joiningforcestohelpyourneighbors.1042024.1.1ADUS361-1214 CelebratingtheIrishSpirit.FidelityInvestmentsisproudtosponsorTheAmericanIrelandFund800.343.3548Fidelity.comFidelityInvestorCentersFidelityFidelityInvestmentsandtheFidelityInvestmentsandpyramiddesignlogoareregisteredservicemarksofFMRLLC.FidelityBrokerageServicesLLCMemberNYSESIPC2014FMRLLC.Allrightsreserved.704391.1.0