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Every year The Ireland Funds Annual Conference attracts
the leadership of the organisation from around
the world and every year these delegates are put
in touch with the work that the Funds are doing on
the ground in Ireland, North and South. This year
was no exception with representatives from seven
countries in attendance. The focus was very much
on developing strategies for the future and adapting the organisation
to embrace change. That change is happening rapidly in Ireland is accepted
by all and change is also happening equally rapidly in all our market
places. It is critical for the future of the organisation that we embace
these changes with enthusiasm and respond positively to them.
The Conference was an opportunity to debate and discuss our new strategies
and focus on where the organisation can go in the
next five years. Already, the last year has seen
the introduction of many initiatives aimed at building
deeper levels of support. The emergence of vibrant
young leaders' groups in New York and Boston is
an indication of this and these Young Leaders will later visit Dublin.
The growth of the WineGeese Society, the Gallery
Circle Art Society and the various leadership fora
underscored how extensive the participation level
now is. People are interacting with the Funds,
and thus with Ireland and things Irish. In numerous
different ways, relationships are becoming deeper
as well as broader and knowledge is being exchanged.
We have learnt from experience that the more people know about Ireland
the more committed they become.
The Conference was
an opportunity to discuss in detail the Sesame
Street project and the
plans to invest in Integrated Schools in Northern
Ireland. Much of this relied on the extensive document
prepared by The Ireland Funds in Ireland entitled "Education and
Integration" which
is a roadmap for the Funds' involvment in the future.
The Conference also included a number of presentations
from projects currently being funded by the Funds
including Playing for Peace and The Omagh Community
Center
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the weekend was the announcement by the
Worldwide Chairman, Sir Anthony O'Reilly, of a contribution of 10 million
euros by the Irish Government to The American Ireland Fund's campaign
to raise a $20 million Endowment Fund. The AIF had felt for some time
that that the lack of an Endowment Fund was hindering it's development
as a true foundation.
This magnificent gift, announced by the Taoiseach,
Bertie Ahern, will be used to challenge existing
Board members and donors to match and exceed this contribution over
the next 3 years. It truly is a landmark development in the history
of the Funds and was announced on the final night of the Conference
at the closing dinnner in Ormond Quay.
Photo
Index:
1. Dan Rooney,
Sir Anthony O'Reilly; Chairman, The Worldwide
Ireland Funds, Loretta Brennan Glucksman; Chairman,
The American Ireland Fund,
Dr. Maurice Hayes; Chairman of The Ireland
Funds in Ireland
1a. Kingsley Aikins; President and CEO, The
Ireland Funds
2. Christopher 'Kip' Condron, Peggy Condron,
Brian Fahey, Caitriona Fottrell, Jim Higgins
3. Maurice Hayes and Dan Rooney share a laugh
4. Jim McCarthy, Marjorie Muldowney, Kieran McLoughlin
5. X, Suzanne and Joe Corcoran
6. Bernarde Powell, Jackie Higgins, Sarah McLoughlin
7. AWB Vincent Literary Award recipient Eugene
McCabe
8. Mary Blood, Paul Caskey, Jackie McDonald
9. Toni Ryan with representatives from Sesame
Street NI
10. Dr. Vincent Bradley, Trevor Ringland
11. Entertainment
12. Peggy Condron, Marjorie Muldowney, Cindy
McCann
13. Entertainment
14. Tour of The Linen Hall Library, Belfast
15. Jackie Higgins, Dan Rooney, Jim Higgins
16. Peggy Condron, Kip Condron, Sir Anthony O'Reilly
17. Peter & Toni Ryan, Jackie & Jim
Higgins, Bernarde Powell, Bob McCann
18. Patricia Rooney, Kip Condron, Cindy McCann,
Peggy Condron, Dan Rooney, Bob McCann
19. Kingsley Aikins, Caitriona Fottrell, Dan
Rooney
20. Max Beher, Paul Caskey, Mike Corboy
21. Dan Mulvihill & Kingsley Aikins
22. Marjorie Muldowney; Regional Director San
Francisco with guests
22a. Patricia Rooney, Maryon Davies Lewis, Maura
Morey
23. Guests
24. Charles 'Chuck' Daly (right) and guests
25. Shiela O'Malley Fuchs, Joe Fuchs and guest
26. Jack & Jackie McDonald
27. Ann Ryan, Peter and Toni Ryan
28. Dan Mulvihill, guest, Kathleen and Kevin
Ryan, Mary Mulvihill
29. Dinner at Iveagh House
30. Jack McDonald, Seamus Heaney, Marie Heaney |
| Schedule of Events
2006 |
Friday
23 June
- 4:00pm AIF
Nominating Committee Meeting at The Merrion
Hotel
- 7:30pm Opening Dinner with
Presentation of the AIF AWB Vincent
Literary Award at Iveagh House
Dress
Code : Cocktail Attire
Saturday 24 June
- 8:00am Executive
Committee Meeting at The Merrion Hotel
- 9:30am AIF Board
Meeting at the Royal College of Physicians, No
6 Kildare Street
- 10:30am Plenary
Session followed by Lunch at the Royal
College of Physicians, No
6 Kildare Street
Dress Code : Casual
Attire
-
7:30pm A Taste of Georgian
Dublin at Number
10 Lower Ormond Quay
The
magnificently restored private residence
formally owned by Lord Belvedere which
dates back to 1745
Dress Code
: Cocktail Attire
-
Later Retire to Penthouse at
The Merrion for Cocktails
Sunday 25 June
- 9:30am Golf
at the K Club Ryder Cup Course
Alternatively
- 11:00am A
Tour of Beaulieu House & Gardens
Situated
on the banks of the River Boyne, Beaulieu
is a rare and magically atmospheric gem
among Irish houses.
Monday 26 June
- 9:30am Travel to Belfast
to visit key projects
supported by The
Ireland Funds
- 6:00pm Return
to Dublin
The Ireland Funds Annual Golf Classic
Sunday 25 June 2006
The Palmer Course at The K Club, host to the
Ryder Cup 2006
Twelve Good Men and True versus Twelve Good
Men and True, or a clash of the continents?
Friendly transatlantic
rivalry, or a battle for sporting hegemony?
The Ryder Cup is golf's greatest matchplay
contest; it might even be the world's foremost international team
event.
On 25 June 2006, The Ireland Funds' golf aficionados
are invited to preview this year's Ryder Cup course.
Cost of $230
or €200 per participant includes all green
fees and awards reception following competition. |
|
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