The Ireland
Funds Gala Evening : 23.02.07

Kingsley
Aikins looks at posters before the event |
The Ireland Funds, held
a major event in Dublin on the eve of the Ireland-England
Rugby International.
The Gala Evening, took place in the Four Seasons
Hotel on Friday 23rd February and was co-hosted
by Founder and current Worldwide Chairman of
the Funds’ Sir Anthony O’Reilly and
The Ireland Fund of Great Britain Chairman, Peter
Sutherland.
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Monies raised from this event will be used
to support a variety of initiatives with a particular
focus on programmes working in the area of Peace
and Reconciliation, Arts and Culture, Community
Development and Education throughout Ireland, North
and South.
Kingsley Aikins, President and CEO of the Worldwide
Ireland Funds said, “Philanthropy is exploding
around the world with a new generation of philanthropists
emerging to tackle a whole range of issues. Ireland
is now part of this global trend and tonight’s
event underscores the importance and potential
of this sector”. Michael Flatley and former
Taoiseach Albert Reynolds were among those at
the glittering event.
Also making a timely appearance on the eve of
the historic game at Croke Park was former English
rugby captain John Pullin. Mr Pullin was
captain in 1973 when sport triumphed over politics
- his squad traveled to Dublin after the outbreak
of the Troubles in the North when neither Scotland
nor Wales had traveled the previous year.
Commenting on Saturday’s game, Sir Anthony
recalled how he spent 12 years, from the age
of six on, playing rugby in the shadow of Croke
Park as a young Belvederian.
He said the historic play-off today "reflects
greatly on the GAA, one of the finest sports
organisations in the world, and reflects enormously
on Irish rugby and on a new prosperous and confident
Irish."
Sir Anthony said he anticipated a productive
year for The Ireland Funds, and support for integrated
education in particular. Other guests included
former Irish rugby internationals Keith Wood,
Ollie Campbell, Keith Crossan, Hugo MacNeill,
Jim McCarthy, Brendan Mullin and Trevor Ringland. Ambassadors
Thomas Foley and David Reddaway were also in
attendance along with Irish Minister for Health,
Mary Harney, Bill Cullen and Jackie Lavin; the
chief executive of Independent Newspapers Ireland,
Vincent Crowley; and head of Waterford Wedgwood
John Foley, with his wife Eilish. Dr Brian Hillery,
the chairman of Independent News and Media, and
his wife Miriam, as well as deputy chairman Liam
Healy and his wife Eithne, were also among the
guests.
Photo Index:
1. John Pullin, Captain of English Rugby team
who played Ireland in the historic game in 1973.
2. Kingsley Aikins
3. John Pullin & Kingsley Aikins
4. Joan & Maurice Hayes with Loretta
Brennan Glucksman
5. Former rugby internationals, Trevor Ringland,
Keith Wood, John Pullin, Hugo MacNeill with Chairman
of the Ireland Fund of Great Britain, Peter Sutherland & Worldwide
President, Kingsley Aikins
6. Peter Sutherland
7. Niamh & Michael Flatley with Jackie
Lavin and Bill Cullin
8. Kingsley Aikins, Bridget Hester, Riccardo
Fantini and Bart Murphy
9. Rita & Harry Crosbie
10. Tommy Gallagher, Jackie Lavin, Bill
Cullen & Sarah Gallagher
11. Gerard & Monica Flood with guest
12. Tom & Eilis Joyce
13. Keith Wood
14. Minister Mary Harney and Michael Flatley
15. guest with Dermot McCarthy
16. Niamh & Michael Flatley
17. Kieran McLoughlin & Bill Cullen
18. Dermot Gallagher with Ambassador
Thomas Foley and Loretta Brennan Glucksman
19. Darren McDermott, Tom Reilley & Mazy
Moghadam
20. Niamh & Michael Flatley with Sir Anthony
and Lady O’Reilly
21. Caitriona Fottrell and John Pullin
22. Sir Anthony O’Reilly and Keith Wood
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