One way of supporting the work of The American Ireland Fund is to establish a Donor Advised Fund within the AIF, and over 60 people have done so.

One of these is longtime AIF supporter and National Board Director Charles U. Daly, former Executive Director of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, who established a Fund in memory of his late wife, Mary. Connect magazine caught up with Chuck recently and asked him to tell our readers more about the Mary Daly Fund.

HOW AND WHY WAS THE MARY DALY FUND ESTABLISHED?
At the time of Mary’s death in 1987 a long and beautiful tribute appeared in the Irish Times, written by former Prime Minister Garret FitzGerald. In part it read:
“Mary found the violence in Northern Ireland intolerable, all the more so because for her the real Ireland was epitomized by the warmth and decency of the people of Bantry whom she had come to know and love so well.”

Mary’s family decided that her best memorial would be a living one, one that assisted persons in and around Bantry where we had our summer home. The fund was endowed by donations from family and friends, to be supplemented by the proceeds of a fully paid insurance policy on my life. The money and policy are managed by The American Ireland Fund.

HOW DOES THE FUND OPERATE?
Grant applications are solicited by ads in the local paper, news stories, notices in shop windows and West Cork word of mouth. Applications are available in both of Bantry’s banks and through the mail. A three person board of local persons was established by the family to evaluate the grants. At this time the members are Sean O’Luasa, a dentist and civic leader who also serves on the Irish Advisory Board of The Ireland Funds; Jack Matson, the county engineer; and Deidre Kingston, a school teacher who is the widow of a previous advisor, Matt Kingston.

After being advised of the annual amount available, the board makes its decisions, reviews them with the family and sends the selections to The Ireland Funds’ Advisory Committee to be rechecked for suitability and financial viability.

WHAT IS THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE GRANTS?
As indicated by the attached list of some grants made to date,
the focus is on Bantry-area projects; however, support is also given to the general grant round of The Ireland Funds because we realize that not every area has a specialized fund.

WHAT EFFECT HAS THE DALY FUND HAD ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY?
In addition to reminding the community how much they were loved by Mary, the grants have had a direct effect not only upon recipients but also on those around them. As the attached list indicates, the money has, for example, helped create jobs, provide outlets for crafts, train disabled children, create a renowned forestry and plant nursery, given more meaning to lives of aged persons, renewed a beach, created a boatyard and funded a new rescue boat service staffed by 26 volunteers.

HOW DO YOU MONITOR AND INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GRANTS?
Grants are monitored by local advisors and others who share the widespread knowledge of who got what. Successes and failures are widely discussed in pubs and elsewhere. Effectiveness is increased by those who see what has been accomplished and then file their own applications and by experience. Written reports of activities are examined.

WHAT IMPACT HAS THIS FUND HAD ON YOU PERSONALLY AND WOULD YOU RECOMMEND OTHER DONORS DO LIKEWISE?
I urge donors to first provide general support for The Ireland Funds as a whole because that is the fairest way to help. Beyond that, a named fund may be appropriate.
The Mary Daly Fund has made a difference in my life and the lives of my sons Michael and Douglas. After tending her grave on the slope overlooking Bantry harbor, we can kiss her headstone and walk to town where we will sense how the fund has woven Mary’s vibrance and love into the endless fabric of the Bantry she loved so well.

PARTIAL LIST OF MARY DALY FUND GRANTS
West Cork Music Schools Project
Bantry and District Health Fund (help transport cancer patients)
Carriganass Castle Community Project (renewal/tourism)
Bantry Rowing Club
Bantry Inshore Rescue Boat (volunteers have saved lives)
Future Forests (conservation/nursery/craft training)
West Cork Mussel Festival
CoAction Adult Training and Employment Centre
West Cork Women Against Violence
Bantry Agricultural Show (resurrected ancient farm program)
Bantry Task Force (planning for town’s future)
Baelscoil Bheanntrai (ancient heritage was taught in store front)
Bantry Historical and Archeology
Bantry Playground Group (there was no playground)
St. Joseph’s Workshop (training for disabled, especially children)
Bantry Celi Group (traditional dance)
Bantry Children’s Community Drama Group
Caislean Stone Masons (create workshop to train/employ youths)
Bantry Integrated Development Group (adult education)
Gortalassa Community Centre
Atlantic Challenge (history and tolerance via international rowing)

Chuck Daly in Northern Ireland >