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