THE IRELAND FUND OF MONACO
Catching up with Michael Fitzgerald
We interviewed Michael Fitzgerald,
the President of The Ireland Fund of Monaco
on his recent gift as well as what’s
ahead for this growing branch of The Ireland
Funds.
Tell us about your background?
I am very pleased to be able to say that I
am pure Kerry
on both sides of my family since records begin.
I was
fortunate to be given the opportunity of a
good
education, and after studying law, I went on
to become a Barrister in England specialising
in Banking Law.
After years of advising clients on their businesses,
I decided to try and get involved in creating
my own new business. I have no idea why, but
the business of
lifesciences and medicines became a passion,
and I have been involved in creating a number
of such companies as a result.
I have also been involved in a number of companies
engaged in alternative and renewable energy
businesses.
How did you first learn about The Ireland
Funds?
The former President of The Ireland Fund of
Monaco, Billy Vincent, of course. I had been
happily and quietly beavering away on my own
in Monaco. Cameron O'Reilly suggested to Billy
that he look me up. Within 24 hours, we were
at lunch, and shortly thereafter, I was roped
in!
So what made you decide to take on the leadership
of The Ireland Fund of Monaco?
Again, Billy told me I was doing that job as
he was going to step down. Anyone who knows
Billy also knows that you do what you are told,
so I did.
What do you hope to see accomplished
with your gift of $1 million to The Ireland
Fund of Monaco?
I cannot very easily run around
asking others to support our initiatives if
our family has not
demonstrably supported them. The two initiatives
of the IFM are great ways for the Irish to
give something back to the world now that we
are all better able to do so.
In establishing the IFM, Billy Vincent was
very prescient. Monaco has amazingly strong
ties to Ireland, not least through Grace Kelly,
Prince Albert’s mother. At his inauguration,
Prince Albert II made it clear that he wanted
Monaco to become a centre of excellence for
medical research, and also that he wanted to
assist countries less fortunate than Monaco.
We have received the unqualified support of
our Prince to our efforts. In very simple terms,
the confluence of the Prince’s objectives
with our initiatives offer us the unique
opportunity to better ensure their long term
success.
Frankly, both Ireland and Monaco are poised
at the edge of new beginnings, and the IFM
is a great way of joining forces for the way
ahead. I hope our gift will be the catalyst
for more giving by others, so that, in conjunction
with The Worldwide Ireland Funds, we can undertake
the funding of worthwhile projects around the
globe which will be proudly recognised as the
Irish
helping others.
What lies ahead for The Ireland Fund of Monaco,
particularly what can you share with us about
the upcoming 2008 Gala Weekend?
Our Gala Weekends have attracted a great collection
of donors and friends of The Ireland Funds
in the ten years since The Ireland Fund of
Monaco was established.
Typically, we schedule the Gala dinner on the
Saturday evening, with other events on the
Friday and Sunday. • more
>
For 2008, (mark your calendars for October
10-12!) we will have the welcome dinner on
Friday evening. On Saturday, we will have a
Brunch in late morning, at which we will update
our guests on the activities related to M/IFA
and then leave them with plenty of time to
enjoy Monaco and prepare for the evening Gala
at the Hotel
de Paris!
On Sunday, we’ve planned an excursion
down the coast to one of the beautiful spots
on the Riviera. The trip will include lunch
and a chance for our guests to see the beauty
of the Cote d’Azur.
In late spring 2008, we’ll host a M/IFA
fundraising event. We’ll keep our colleagues
and friends of The Ireland Funds fully informed.
More info
MaryCarroll Sullivan,
RN, MTS, JD
Les Acanthes
6 Avenue des Citronniers
MC 98000 Monaco
T - +377.93.251.732
E - mcsullivan@irlfunds.org |
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