News Sept 2008

Click here for All Recent and Past Events >

Sept 18th 2008
The American Ireland Fund co-hosted the inaugural celebration of the Washington DC Young Leaders program with over 100 supporters gathered at the Irish Embassy’s stately headquarters   more >

Aug 17th 2008
The Australian Ireland Fund Gala Luncheon took place on Sunday 17 August 2008 at picturesque Hillstone St. Lucia, overlooking the scenic St. Lucia Golf Links.  more >

July 26th 2008
Nearly 200 American Ireland Fund supporters gathered on Nantucket on July 26 at the home of Bruce Percelay to enjoy a beautiful summer evening, Irish music and friendship.
more >

News July 2008

June 19th-21st 2008
The 2008 Worldwide Ireland Funds Conference took place amidst one of the most scenic and historic estates, Powerscourt House and Gardens, in County Wicklow, the garden county of Ireland  more >

News May 2008

May 8th 2008
New York - 1300 supporters and guests gathered at The Tent at Lincoln Center for the 33rd annual Dinner Gala which raised over $3.5m   more >

Apr 30th 2008
Following the occasion of his historic address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress, The American Ireland Fund took the opportunity to bid farewell to Bertie Ahern, in his last week and last visit to the United States as Taoiseach.   more >

Apr 10th 2008
On the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, The American Ireland Fund looked forward to building a new society in Northern Ireland through the launch of Sesame Tree, the Northern Ireland adaptation of Sesame Street.   more >

Mar 7th 2008
On the eve of the Ireland-Wales rugby match, The Ireland Funds Chairman Hugo MacNeill hosted an evening cocktail reception at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. Addressing over 150 attendees, Hugo described how The Ireland Funds plays a leading role in developing a unique, vibrant culture of philanthropy in Ireland.  more >

News Februay 2008

Jan 30th 2008
over 100 American Ireland Fund supporters gathered to learn about the great Irish charity, Front Line Defenders, and to launch its American branch. Front Line provides support, guidance and protection to Human Rights defenders across the globe. more >

Jan 25th 2008
President McAleese acknowledged The Ireland Funds' role of philanthropy in problem solving for peace cannot be underestimated. "The Ireland Funds became a powerful global philanthropic initiative of our Irish clan and their friends around the world". more >

News December 2007

Dec 3rd 2007
The American Ireland Fund was privileged to organize and host the first event of the first joint visit to the United States by Dr. Ian Paisley, First Minister of Northern Ireland, and Mr. Martin McGuinness, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, at the New York Stock Exchange more >

Nov 22nd 2007
Transformation is a powerful and evocative word and in Dublin a group of friends have chosen to use it in its most positive sense: the power to change things for the better. more >

Nov 15th 2007
The 26th Annual Boston Gala took place Thursday, November 15th. 900 guests gathered in a spectacularly transformed ballroom at the Marriott Copley Boston. The evening was a celebration of the growth of Rowallane Integrated College  more >

News October 2007

Oct 18th 2007
The latest speaker at the American Ireland Fund’s Leadership Forum was the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Shaun Woodward, MP.  more >

Oct 16th 2007
300+ guests gathered for The American Ireland Fund Women's Luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco. This unique sold-out event attracted an enthusiastic...   more >

Sept 28th 2007
Toronto Day at the Races saw many guests arriving in their fanciest hats and best clothes for a fun Irish day of horse racing, live auction, silent auction and raffle!   more >

Sept 24th 2007
Nobel Laureate and champion of human rights, Archbishop Desmond Tutu visited The American Ireland Fund Leadership Forum.  more >

July 15th 2007
Two individuals associated with PeacePlayers International have received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2007 ESPY Awards.  more >

News August 2007

July 5th 2007
The 11th Annual John Dunne Golf Classic was held on the North Course of the Angus Glen Golf Club with perfect golfing weather to ensure a great day for all.  more >

June 22-24 2007
This year's Conference was a great success. Kenmare, Co Kerry was the splendid location for our most successful and fun Conference ever.  more >

June 15th 2007
London's Midsummer Ball was also used to publicly launch The Ireland Fund of Great Britain’s Campaign for The Forgotten Irish.  more >

May 17-21 2007
Dallas was extremely busy in May with many events surrounding the Thomas Tierney Golf Classic...  more >

News May 2007

May 3rd 2007
The 32nd Annual New York Dinner Gala sets new records. It was the biggest and most successful in the organization's three decade history. It raised an all time record of $4.15million and attracted the biggest attendance at any American Ireland Fund dinner, 1500... more >

April 20th 2007
It was standing room only in the Thomas Davis Theatre at Trinity College Dublin on Friday, 20th April 2007 as Suas Educational Development presented the “Extraordinary Lives: Leaders who Serve” lecture... more >

Apr 22nd 2007
Over 220 guests and supporters attended our Melbourne Gala Luncheon at Zinc at Federation Square in Melbourne overlooking the Yarra River. ... more >

News March 2007

Mar 14th 2007
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, was the recipient of The American Ireland Fund Peace Award and Senator Mitch McConnell was the recipient of The American Ireland Fund Leadership Award.
See here for video from the event... more >

Mar 9th 2007
The San Francisco American Ireland Fund Dinner was held at The St. Francis Hotel. Guest of Honor, Chevron CEO Dave O'Reilly, received the AIF Distinguished Leadership Award, to the cheers of over 500 dinner guests. ... more >

Feb 10th 2007
Dallas AIF Regional Board member Page Tucker flies in to Belfast to visit PeacePlayers’... more >

News January 2007

Jan 11th 2007
Sponsored by The American Ireland Fund, the Irish America magazine Business 100 Awards Luncheon was held at The Boston College Club in Boston... more >

Jan 10th 2007
The WineGeese Society enjoyed a New Year’s toast entitled ‘Champagne and Crystal’... more >

News November 2006

Nov 16th 2006
The 25th Anniversary Boston Gala. The evening raised $2 million with 1000 guests in attendance... more >

Nov 1st 2006
The 22nd Annual Chicago Dinner for The American Ireland Fund was held at the Four Seaons Hotel... more >

Oct 10th 2006
The inaugural Women of The American Ireland Fund Luncheon at The St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco proved to be a sparkling success... more >

Sept 27th 2006
The inaugural Young Leaders Ireland Visit was a tremendous success with this vibrant group filling a very full agenda... more >

Sept 18th 2006
The 5th Annual AIF Philadelphia Golf Classic was one of a historic magnitude with 264 golfers raising $276,000... more >

News August 2006

Aug 16th 2006
British Consul General Mr. Nicholas Armour hosted a Garden Party at his residence for the “Building Bridges Breaking Borders” youth leadership program... more >

July 30th 2006
Over 250 people gathered at the home of Lesley and Bart Grenier as The American Ireland Fund held it's annual Nantucket Celebration...  more >

July 30th 2006
The Australian Ireland Fund Brisbane Garden Party  more >

July 24th 2006
The Australian Ireland Fund Sydney Supporters Lunch  more >

July 19th 2006
Under a perfect New York summer sky, the New York Young Leaders beat the heat with cool drinks, fine food and swinging music at their “Summer in the City” celebration...   more >

July 13th 2006
The New York Chapter of The WineGeese Society met and through great company conversation and conviviality, celebrated the life of Michael Collins...  more >

June 23rd 2006
The Ireland Funds June Meetings...   more >

AIF Grants
As of Nov 2, 2006 The American Ireland Fund has approved 325 grants to 215 projects totaling $7,365,627 for grants year 2006
As of Dec 31, 2005, The American Ireland Fund has approved 430 grants to 279 projects totaling $26,723,290 for grants year 2005

May 4th 2006
The American Ireland Fund hosted the 31st Annual New York Dinner Gala - a landmark occasion that raised a record breaking $4.1 million dollars and was attended by 1300 guests.   more >

May 4th 2006
AIF to donate $1m  for Sesame Street Partnership  more >

April 20th 2006
The opportunity exists for the Celtic Tiger to become a “Philanthropic Tiger” according to one of the world’s foremost philanthropic organisations.  more >

Mar 14th 2006
Minister Dermot Ahern and his wife Maeve were in Dallas for the St. Patrick's week  festivities.  more >

Mar 7th 2006
The inaugural meeting of the American Ireland Fund’s Gallery Circle took place  more >

Feb 23rd 2006
The latest AIF Leadership Forum was addressed by Dr. Mitchell Reiss the President’s Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. more >

Jan 21st 2006
Baroness May Blood came to Dallas to be headlined in the annual World Philanthropy Ball more >

Dec 7th 2005
Dolores McCall's outstanding generosity continues...
more >

Dec 1st 2005
On Thursday December 1st, the Irish America magazine Business 100 Awards Luncheon was held at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Sponsored by The American Ireland Fund, this event recognized the West Coast 25 honorees
more >

Nov 17th 2005
Buying Into Giving - The World of Modern Philanthropy
As CEO of one of the world’s most successful fund-raising models for cultural activity, The Ireland funds, Aikins calls himself a “messianic messenger of philanthropy
more >

Oct 2005
Bono talks at Glucksman Ireland House Inaugural Moynihan Lecture
more >

Sept 15th 2005
Ireland’s Prime Minister, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange and then addressed a gathering of American Ireland Fund supporters and donors.
NYSE Bell >

Sept 2005
All across the country, supporters have been teeing off for
The American Ireland Fund. Tournaments were held in Dallas, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Philadelphia and New Jersey
more...

July 13th 2005
This years Australian Ireland Fund Governor Dinner took place at Sydney’s premier venue, Guillaume at Bennelong restaurant at the Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Governor's Dinner >

June 19th 2005
This years's Ireland Funds Conference in Cork was a terrific success and attracted over 150 supporters from around the World, particularly, from The United States.
2005 Conference >

June 10th 2005
Supporters of The Ireland Fund of Great Britain gathered once again at London’s most prestigious gala venue, The Dorchester Ballroom, to celebrate our 17th Midsummer Ball.
London Midsummer Ball >

May 5th 2005
The American Ireland Fund today celebrated its 30th “Pearl” Anniversary New York Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, raising $3.1 million and making this the biggest and most successful event in the history of the worldwide organization.
New York Dinner Gala >

News March 2005

March 16th 2005
Among those in attendence were, An Taoiseacch Bertie Ahern. The American Ireland Fund presented the Distinguished Leadership Award to Senator John McCain. The evening raised $850,000 for educational programs that promote peacekeeping.
Washington's 13th annual Gala >

March 3 2005
The Ireland Funds London City Luncheon was attended by over 400 of the City of London's leading business people. The key-note speaker was An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD.
Taoiseach Ahern speaks at Luncheon >

March 11 2005
The hosts for the evening, Sir Anthony O’Reilly, Worldwide Chairman of the Ireland Funds and Lady Chryss O’Reilly, Patron of the Ireland Fund of France, were joined by some 500 guests at this annual fund-raising event.
The Ireland Funds’ Wild Geese Ball 2005 >

February 24 2005
The Ireland Fund Japan held a reception for the Irish Special Olympics team in Nagano on February 24th 2005.
Irish Special Olympics Reception >

Highlights 2004 >

• Irish America Business 100  more...

• IF Monaco A W B Vincent decorated  more...

• Major Philanthropic Initiative
Northern Ireland : Binding up the Wounds  more...

News October 2004

• 2004 Boston Gala Dinner coming Nov 11 more...

• Annual Golf events success! more...

• Major Philanthropic Initiative
Mental Health: Healing The Hurt  more...

• 2004 Literary Award more...

• 2004 Worldwide Conference success! more...

• Hope and History Campaign success!
The Worldwide Ireland Funds’ five-year, $100 million “Hope & History” campaign has come to an exciting and gratifying conclusion. more...

• 2004 Worldwide Conference starts June 20 more...

• AIF Launches Winegeese Society
A brochure with details on how to become a member of the newly formed Winegeese Society of The American Ireland Fund will soon be arriving. The Society is dedicated to discovering and experiencing wines and wineries of Irish provenance around the world.

• It is with great sadness that The American Ireland Fund informs you of the passing of Board Member John O’Sullivan. more...

• It looks as if another New York/Boston rivalry is growing as the AIF Young Leaders of Boston prepare to gather on March 12, 2004 for its Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. This brings together the young rising stars of Boston's ever growing Irish American business community for a fantastic fundraising event.

• The Harry McKillop Irish Spirit Award, established in 2003, announces the first recipient of the $25,000 award, Mrs. Jean Kelly, Director of the Speedwell Trust of Northern Ireland. more...

• AIF launches Young Leaders Program For the first event of 2004, AIF Board Director Kip Condron, President & CEO of AXA Financial, hosted and was the keynote speaker at a kickoff reception for the New York chapter of the AIF Young Leaders. more...

The American Ireland Fund Annual New England Gala Dinner 2003 in Boston was an enormous success raising over $2.3m more...

The Knight of Glin of The Irish Georgian Society visited our friends in Dallas more...

The Ireland Funds today hosted a seminar on "Major Gift Fundraising", at which guest speaker Dr. Scott Nichols of Harvard Law School stated that the charity sector has the potential to take-off in line with the tremendous growth in wealth in Ireland over the past decade. more...

A magnificent gift of $1m from Lady Mary Fairfax to fund "The Sir Warwick Fairfax Trust" for integrated education in Ireland. more...

This year’s Boston Dinner, chaired by Bob Reynolds, the Chief Operating Officer of Fidelity Investments, will be our 22nd New England Dinner and will feature a unique dinner journal. more...

The International Woman of the Year
Irish Tatler Awards recognise the unrelenting campaigning of Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Chairman of The American Ireland Fund -the U.S. chapter of The Worldwide Ireland FundsProject Spotlight: Camphill Communities more...

If it’s September it must be golf. Monday, September 22nd saw The American Ireland Fund host three golf classics at once, in Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

The Philadelphia Golf tournament was our follow up to last year’s inaugural event, chaired this year by Francis van Kirk, Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Over 250 golfers took part on three courses followed by dinner and a presentation on the work of The AIF in Northern Ireland.

In the New York Golf Classic both the East and West Course in Winged Foot were full for the tournament that raised money for Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, which carries out world class research into children’s diseases. Finally, in Boston, the John Kennedy Memorial Tournament in honor of the former Golf Director of The AIF was hosted by his son, Bill, in Charles River Golf Club. It raised funds for children’s medical charities in Ireland.

The last three events are part of the planned expansion of AIF golf programs throughout the U.S. At the same time there was the annual Terry Wogan Golf Classic just outside London, which raised funds for The Ireland Fund of Great Britain, and October 6th sees our New Jersey outing at the famed Balthusrol course. We now hold ten golf tournaments annually and next year we plan on adding golf events in Houston and Washington to this total.

News June 2003

Gregory Peck passes away
As I’m sure you probably know, Gregory Peck passed away earlier today. A life Trustee of The American Ireland Fund, he was a wonderful supporter and participant in the work of The Fund and we will all miss him greatly. more...

New Connect magazine
The American Ireland Fund publishes latest and updated Connect magazine featuring an exclusive interview with U2's Bono  more...

Art Auction raises €300,000
A staggering €300,000 plus was raised on the night, under the hammer of John de Vere White. "This was a tremendous achievement. The final sum is testament to the quality of the pieces on auction, with prices reaching up to €20,000 - the top figure of the evening, which was recorded for LeBrocquy's tapestry entitled Battle Field. more...

Washington DC - The American Ireland Fund (AIF) presented The Humanitarian Award to BONO, renowned lead singer of U2, at its 11th annual National Gala in Washington, D.C. on March 17, 2003.

Funds raised through the 11th National Gala will help support the Special Olympics World Summer Games which will take place in Ireland in June, 2003.

On the eve of the Washington Gala a special reception was held honoring Ambassador Richard Haass and two children from Ulidia Integrated School in Northern Ireland. A fund of $100,000 was announced to support the expansion of the integrated school network. more...

in Boston, 500 people attended our Associates Event, a St. Patrick’s celebration chaired by Devin Condron and vice-chaired by Erin Purcell. more...

President Mary McAleese was guest of honor at an Australian Ireland Fund Dinner in Sydney on March 14th more..., and 1,200 attended the annual St. Patrick’s Day lunch in Toronto. more...

The Ireland Fund of France Dinner honored Professor Brendan Kenneally at a major dinner in Dublin on the eve of the Ireland-France rugby match. more...