| What Difference
Does it Make? [text version] :: printable version > (opens in new window) |
| 174 Trust |
Addresses the needs of those living in a materially and
socially disadvantaged society. Funding supports renovations
and refurbishment of the former Presbyterian Church and halls,
now a community centre in North Belfast. |
"The AIF's support for our work of 'Building Peace and
Promoting Reconciliation' in the most disadvantaged and divided
parts of North Belfast has been crucial to our survival and
ability to make the contribution we do. The Fund's endorsement
has been as important as any grants we have received and
has given us a degree of credibility - both at home and overseas - that
we would not otherwise have had."
Bill Shaw, Director |
| abbeyshrule airfield community enterprise group |
Seeks to provide a unique community facility in the form
of a visitor park in the Airfield. Funding supports landscaping
around the new Millennium bridge and access road. |
"Our goals for the future are the completion of the terminal
building housing
a visitor's and reception area, new control office, flight briefing rooms,
coffee shops and toilets. Any further grant aid from The American Ireland
Fund will be most acceptable and will go towards the completion of this
project."
Betty McGoey, Secretary |
| accessing college education |
Works with three secondary schools in West Tallaght to
enable students to gain access to the third level. Funding
provides students with grants so they can focus on their
studies and not have to take up part-time work. |
"The grant from The American Ireland Fund is vital to the
success of our programme."
Michael Meade, Chairperson |
| aislinn addiction treatment centre |
Provides community drug prevention, residential drug addiction
treatment, and aftercare programmes for young people ages
15-21. Funding is used to support capital projects. |
" The AIF's grant has helped us put in place our 12-step
Serenity Garden, which is for residents and staff and families
of residents. It is a quiet place that's very peaceful."
Breda Cahill, Administrator |
| all hallows college |
A community of education in theology and related disciplines.
Funding is used to expand the All Hallows College library
and equip it with modern student aids. |
"The American Ireland Fund can continue to help us by
providing funds for faculty development, the establishment
of a Chair of Pastoral Training and Supervision, scholarships
for those who want to prepare for work in disadvantaged areas,
and the preservation and decoration of the college chapel."
Father Mark Noonan, C.M.,President |
| altnaveigh house cultural society |
Provides a neutral environment where both nationalist and
unionist groups can come together, promotes the cultures
of everyone in the community, and establishes community businesses
to create employment and introduce new skills. Funding is
used for specialist training. |
"Our goal for the future is to develop the Ulster Scots
and Gaelic School of Cultures and Traditions and our show 'Piping
Hot.' This allows young people from the two main communities
to come together and learn and understand more about what
brings them together, rather than what drives them apart."
Margaret Thompson, Chief Executive |
| an cosán, -the shanty educational project |
Formed for the benefit of the people in West Tallaght with
the philosophy that education is the key to eradicating poverty.
Funding supports the recruitment and salary of a manager
for the Childminding in the Home project. |
"The Childminding in the Home project provides
a much-needed service in a community where unemployment and early school
leaving are high. We believe this project will provide an exit route
from poverty for many women."
Elizabeth Waters, Chief Executive |
| an taisce - the national trust for ireland |
The most influential environmental body in Ireland. Funding
helps develop the Green Schools programme to enable more
schools to participate and reduce their output of waste,
energy use, and consumption of water. |
" The American Ireland Fund in supporting our Green Schools
project has enabled us to expand the programme to more schools
throughout Ireland. These schools are now achieving on average
a 45% reduction of waste and learning to reduce, recycle
and reuse as a way of life."
Patricia Oliver, Director, Environmental Education Unit |
| archbishop marsh's library |
The first public library in Ireland [built in 1701] and
a magnificent example of a 17th-century scholars' library.
Funding is used to support fellowships to encourage the research
of rare books. |
"The AIF has helped to restore Marsh's Library by providing
valuable equipment for readers and staff, a badly needed
security system, and general refurbishment. Our goal for
the future is to make the library a centre for educational
projects and study of its collections."
Muriel McCarthy, Keeper of the Library |
| ark cultural centre for children |
Devotes itself exclusively to an innovative arts programme
for children. Funding is applied towards the 20% scheme,
whereby schools operating in areas of socio-economic disadvantage
charge reduced entrance costs to facilitate attendance. |
"The American Ireland Fund grant was the first contribution
pledged to The Ark towards the commission of artwork for
Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children. It was of tremendous
assistance to The Ark both in terms of getting the project
off the ground and also in terms of securing additional funding
for the project."
Jenni Barrett, Director of Development |
| baboró international arts festival for children |
The leading Irish arts festival devoted exclusively to
children. Funding is used to expand the outreach programme
workshops from 43 to 75, targeting special needs projects,
marginalised children in youth group settings, and disadvantaged
schools. |
"Schools travel from three counties to avail of the Baboró Festival's
rich arts experience. Some programmes are sent to schools
that could not otherwise experience some of the guest artists
that travel to Galway during this time. Workshops for children
and for teachers are also part of the festival, to encourage
children to participate in the value of aesthetic education.
Support from The American Ireland Fund has been instrumental
in reaching out to disadvantaged schools."
Lali Morris, Executive Director |
| ballinglen arts foundation |
Enables international artists to work and live in rural
Ireland to benefit the community and the artist. Funding
supports a Fellowship Programme that brings Irish and international
artists to Mayo, local educational and exhibition programmes,
and a permanent collection of contemporary art in North Mayo. |
"The support from this vital fund has literally made it
possible for us to survive. As
available Irish funding cannot cover our programming costs, we would have
had to eliminate staff, cut programmes, and possibly close our operations.
In addition, the prestige associated with this support encourages other
donors to contribute."
Margo Dolan, Founding Director |
| barretstown gang camp |
Provides a unique and powerful programme that allows seriously
ill children from Ireland and Europe to rediscover their
own inner strength, confidence, and self-esteem. Funding
is used to bring children to Barretstown to experience a
10-day session of therapeutic recreation.Provides a unique
and powerful programme that allows seriously ill children
from Ireland and Europe to rediscover their own inner strength,
confidence, and self-esteem. Funding is used to bring children
to Barretstown to experience a 10-day session of therapeutic
recreation. |
"The support from The American Ireland Fund has helped
Barretstown to run programmes of fun and adventure, and activities
which are medically endorsed and help the children to seize
life and deal with the challenges of their illness."
Jenny Winter, CEO |
| belfast community circus school |
Teaches circus arts to children in some of the most needy
communities in Northern Ireland, and acts as a training school
for professional teachers and performers of circus arts.
Funding supports a 10-week programme of circus workshops
for young people with the greatest need. |
"Ten years ago the first grant awarded by The American
Ireland Fund enabled us to employ a development worker - our
first paid worker. Continued support over the years for specific
projects has enabled young people to benefit from advanced
training and international exchanges. More recent support
for a peer educator programme now means that the next generation
of teachers is being supported to give something back to
the community."
Will Chamberlain, Director |
| belfast together |
A cross-community soccer project for children ages 10-15.
Funding is used to cover training facilities, transport between
loyalist and republican areas, and equipment. |
"This programme addresses the issues of sectarianism, tolerance
and understanding. We wish to sustain that impetus so that
children
can be free from bigotry and intolerance, which can only be of benefit
to peace-building now and in the future."
William Smith, Development Worker |
| belvedere college s.j. |
A college in Dublin. Funding helps pay for required renovations
and construction of new facilities to meet growing needs. |
"While building the theatre facilities and the science
and technology block, we have been able to appeal to prospective
supporters around the world. The American Ireland Fund has
enabled this to happen, and has thereby been a great help
in ensuring that we can provide facilities for students and
staff."
Unattributed |
| belvedere youth club |
The oldest youth club in Ireland, serving more than 500
children ages 7-18 in one of the most economically depressed
areas of Dublin. Funding supports the conversion and fitout
of a room where club members receive homework support. |
"Over the years The American Ireland Fund has assisted
our youth club in running many programmes that quite simply
could not have been run without such assistance. These include
homework classes, drug awareness programmes, summer camps,
and our youth theatre group which would have closed down
were it not for The AIF."
Paul Brady, Director |
| birr scientific and heritage foundation |
Houses exhibits and antique equipment related to photography,
astronomy, botany, and engineering. Funding helps pay for
wrought iron entrance gates to the Birr Castle Demesne. |
"With The American Ireland Fund's assistance, we've been
able to undertake a feasibility study leading to the restoration
of the great telescope of Birr and, as a result, increase
our visitor attractiveness."
Dr. Salter Sterling, Chairman |
| boys hope girls hope |
Assists young people who are experiencing difficulties
at home and are at risk of becoming homeless. Funding is
used to provide an aftercare facility for eight young people
who are moving from care to supported accommodation. |
"The AIF grant has made a significant impact in our ability
to provide young people with skills before they move from
our supported accommodation to independent accommodation
in the community."
Paul O'Callaghan, Executive Director |
| bunscoil mhic reachtain and the mccracken cultural society |
An independent Irish-medium primary school located in Belfast.
Funding is used to erect and equip a third classroom to provide
space for expanding numbers and to provide for parent support
classes and workshops. |
"The American Ireland Fund enabled us to portray the positive
side of North Belfast by helping us promote the Irish language
and culture to all sections of our community including different
age groups and social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.
All in all, this helps to breathe vitality into the area."
Máirtín Mac Cathmhaoil, Irish Language Development Officer |
| c.o.r.e. city outreach through renewal and evangelism |
Serves as a resource church for the city of Dublin and
the nation. Funding helps develop a centre for worship and
an appropriate space for the hosting of conferences and seminars,
expand social outreach programmes, and support urban renewal. |
"The costs of maintaining an old building like St. Catherine's
Church, running a busy office and putting on various events
are quite considerable. This is where The American Ireland
Fund can help."
Lara Sheridan, Office Administrator |
| cari foundation |
Provides professional, child-centered therapy and counseling
services to children, families, and groups who have been
affected by child sexual abuse. Funding supports dissemination
of information, a Helpline, and outreach education. |
"These funds had a profound impact on our work and allowed
us to make significant improvements to our preventive education
service and increase awareness of the Helpline."
Mary Flaherty, National Director |
| carmichael centre for voluntary groups |
Helps deliver support services, such as training and mentoring,
that are tailored to the needs of small voluntary and community
groups. Funding covers the costs of staff and volunteer training,
purchase of publications, and printing. |
"Hundreds of organisations now use the service every year,
so the Centre can make a real difference to the quality of
management, delivery of services and fundraising in small
and medium-sized groups which had not previously had access
to such assistance."
Kate O'Sullivan, CEO |
| carrick-on-shannon heritage experience |
Aims to preserve the town's heritage by promoting regeneration
and encouraging awareness of the local environment, focusing
on the restoration and conservation of two valuable buildings
in the town. Funding is used to restore a Telford organ as
part of the preservation of St. George's Church, which is
to become a centre for concerts and drama. |
"The generous grant from The American Ireland Fund has
provided a major boost to our efforts, both in itself and
by enabling us to attract additional grant funding from government
and European sources. With the help of this donation, we
have been able to put in hand the first stage of the restoration
of St. George's Church."
David Meikle, Director and Secretary |
| carriganass castle |
Focuses on the conservation of the 16th-century Carriganass
Castle, which serves as a showcase for the three valleys
of Borlin, Kealkill, and Mealagh. Funding helps develop an
amenity park with a picnic area, bike path, and information
area. |
"The credibility and profile of the project got a big boost
from the prestige of The American Ireland Fund, and this
was of assistance not only in other fundraising efforts but
also in our dealings with statutory bodies."
Dan Sullivan, Administrator |
| castleblayney trust for homeless, needy and unemployed |
Works with homeless, needy, and unemployed people to improve
their care, support, rehabilitation, accommodation, and employment
opportunities. Funding is used to build an extension on Shalom,
a refuge for mothers and children who are victims of domestic
violence and alcoholism. |
"The grant we received went towards the purchase of a house
to extend our social housing complement. We are now housing
46 persons in 11 houses and 10 flats."
Sr. Celine McArdle, Chairperson |
| charleville & district association for the handicapped |
Enables people with disabilities to live the life of their
choice and reach their potential through individualised support.
Funding goes towards the development of workshops in Charleville
town and helps provide shared care facilities for children
in a community setting. |
"The grant provided by The American Ireland Fund has been
crucial in developing a building for the provision of respite
care for children with disabilities. The grant has also helped
us develop a building which will accommodate our T.E.S.S.
training service as well as a print unit and cafeteria. All
of these projects have helped establish a better quality
of life for people with intellectual disabilities and their
families."
Conor Counihan, CEO |
| charleville castle trust |
Enables low-wage earners in Offaly to attend locally run
courses by the Athlone Institute of
Technology. Funding is used for course tuition. |
"We intend to create Ireland's first twenty-first-century
university, independent of the state, in line with the American model,
and totally international. Our goal is to create a new international
campus, bringing developed and underdeveloped countries together in the
serene environs of the great houses of Ireland."
Dudley Stewart, Managing Trustee
" We intend to create Ireland's first twenty-first-century
university, independent of the state, in line with the American model,
and totally international. Our goal is to create a new international campus,
bringing developed and underdeveloped countries together in the serene
environs of the great houses of Ireland."
Dudley Stewart, Managing Trustee |
| chester beatty library |
An art museum and library that houses an outstanding collection
of Islamic manuscripts as well as Chinese, Japanese, Indian,
and other Oriental art. Funding allows the library to record
up to 5,000 one-of-a-kind digital images, transparencies,
and prints. |
"Our goals are to make the library's magnificent collections
available for the use and enjoyment of the public; to promote
a wider appreciation and understanding of international cultural
heritage; and to foster relations between the people of Ireland
and the peoples whose cultures are represented in the collections.
The support of The American Ireland Fund will help us to
optimise the benefit of the Chester Beatty gift to Ireland
and the world."
Dr. Michael Ryan, Director |
| children's friendship project for northern ireland |
A cross-community youth initiative that promotes friendship
and understanding while developing youth leadership skills
and citizenship through training and education. Funding is
used towards expansion of activities, training, and team
building. |
"Our organisation has been able to expand its pre-departure
and follow-up activities, including leadership workshops,
residentials, team building and teen events. The grant has
also made it possible to expand local family-wide activities,
thus spreading the word and concept of peace and reconciliation."
Ian A. Young, Vice Chair |
| cill rialaig project |
A restored prefamine village that serves as an international
artists' retreat. Funding helps pay for a cottage studio
that will offer free-of-charge residencies to artists specifically
from Northern Ireland and other areas of political turmoil. |
"The American Ireland Fund's grant helped kick start our
whole project and gave us the confidence to believe our dream
could come true. We have had over 17,000 applications for
free-of-charge residencies. Here is where young artists meet
the world!"
Noelle Campbell-Sharp, Founder |
| cinemagic |
An international film festival in Northern Ireland, which
helps young people get a foot in the door of the film world.
Funding supports outreach and training programmes. |
"Through the medium of film, young people learn about different
cultures and social issues, which in turn broadens their
perspective and understanding. By creating opportunities
for young people, Cinemagic can help them tap their creativity
and maximize their true potential."
Joan Burney, Festival Director |
| clifden hospital digital radiology service |
A district hospital located more than 100 miles from the
nearest city. Funding helps to underwrite the x-ray unit. |
"Without The American Ireland Fund's help and support at
a critical stage in our development,
the project would have foundered."
Dr. John P. Casey, Practitioner |
| committee on the administration of justice caj |
Assists in the creation of a human rights culture in Northern
Ireland. Funding contributes to public education efforts
that include materials, venues, travel expenses for speakers,
and conference organising. |
"CAJ is working to secure a just and peaceful society in
Northern Ireland where the human rights of all are fully
protected. The AIF can support us to build a vibrant human
rights culture in Northern Ireland and to challenge human
rights violations as and when they occur."
Martin O'Brien, Director |
| connemara community radio |
A community-based radio station that services Connemara
on a volunteer network. Funding is used for training volunteers,
management, and staff.A community-based radio station that
services Connemara on a volunteer network. Funding is used
for training volunteers, management, and staff. |
"The AIF has helped us to train volunteers for Inishbofin
and Clifden studios in order to provide access to radio for
more communities."
Pat Walshe, Manager |
| cork academy of music |
Provides musical training for the long-term unemployed,
children, and those who leave school early. Funding is used
to upgrade equipment in the recording studio, a very important
element of the training programme. |
"Contributions from The American Ireland Fund have enabled
us to vastly improve our training facilities through the
purchase of recording equipment and musical instruments."
Robert Seward, Honorary Secretary |
| cork opera house |
Features a conventional opera house and a studio theatre
that showcases experimental projects targeted at younger
audiences. Funding enables subsidies that reduce ticket prices
and transport costs to rural schools, create in-school workshops,
and develop education pages on the website. |
"Through The American Ireland Fund's grant, we have been
able to deliver live performances to over 900 disadvantaged
students in the Munster region. In many cases, this experience
has been the students' first introduction to the magic of
live theatre."
Miriam Forde, Business Development Officer |
| corrymeela community |
Strives to heal the social, religious, and political divisions
in Northern Ireland by providing a safe environment in which
people can speak openly about their own experiences with
religious prejudice. Funding supports various capital projects
including the refurbishment of the Corrymeela House and the
upgrading of one of our residential units. |
"The American Ireland Fund has allowed us to develop our
programs, particularly our work with families and communities,
providing respite for marginalized family groups and facilitating
the development of cross-community partnerships."
Peter Anderson, Development Director |
| crawford municipal art gallery |
One of Cork's most important buildings, dating back to
1724. Funding enables the gallery to work with marginalised
teenagers on a three-year education/outreach programme that
exposes them to functional, contemporary, and historical
art. |
"Our goal is to have a full-time, year-round education
programme encompassing a wide demographic. The American Ireland
Fund can further assist the programme by aligning the gallery
with companies and patrons who are supportive of outreach
programmes and the positive effects they have on their participants." |
| croagh community council |
A council that promotes the social, cultural, and economic
welfare of Croagh Parish. Funding is used in phase 2 of the
village enhancement work programme, to install old-world
style lanterns and construct shrubbery beds. |
"The park was completed just before things got really expensive
and would never have been done at the time without the assistance
of Peter Lynch and The American Ireland Fund. As our village
is now beginning to grow it is wonderful to have an open,
tranquil space to appreciate life and serenity."
Mary Quaid, Capital Investment Officer |
| croi - west of ireland cardiology foundation |
A charity dedicated to pursuing and attaining the highest
level of cardiovascular health care for the people of West
of Ireland. Funding provides cardiac life support training
for individuals who endeavour to maintain life in the critical
waiting time for an ambulance. |
"The American Ireland Fund is helping us save lives in
the West of Ireland."
Neil Johnson, Chief Executive |
| dublin city gallery the hugh lane |
Houses one of Ireland's foremost collections of modern
and contemporary art. Funding supports the Francis Bacon
complex, which consists of an audio-visual room and microgallery
with six touchscreen terminals providing access to the database
of studio contents. |
"Our main goal for the future is the extension of the Gallery's
exhibition space. The American Ireland Fund can help in raising
awareness of the Gallery amongst potential donors both at
home and abroad."
Dr. Margarita Cappock, Curator |
| dublin simon community |
A voluntary organisation that provides outreach help, an
emergency shelter, housing projects, and transitional accommodation
for Dublin's homeless population. Funding is used to develop
a medical room in the outreach centre. |
"Homelessness is an ever-growing problem in Dublin, with
more than 300 people sleeping on the city's streets. The
need for Dublin Simon's services has never been greater.
Dublin Simon Community aims to address the root causes of
homelessness and strives to help people re establish independent
living. Being homeless places enormous stress on a person's
health, and identifying and treating medical problems is
crucial in helping a person who has been homeless regain
their independence."
Katherine Ayres, Corporate Fundraiser |
| dublin talmud torah |
A school for Dublin's Jewish community. Funding helps to
purchase software and hardware for the primary school, to
assist in the teaching of Hebrew and Jewish studies. |
"With continued funding, we hope to expand and update our
IT facilities for the benefit of the pupils both Jewish and
non-Jewish in our school."
Adrian Gordon, President |
| eacht sliabh luachra |
Helps create a sense of self-pride in the local community
by acknowledging and promoting volunteerism. Funding is used
to help restore valuable heritage projects for the community. |
"Our goals are to preserve and nurture the rich culture,
heritage and traditions of the Sliabh Luachra - a district
which is famous as a repository of traditional Irish music
and poetry - along the Cork/Kerry border. We would hope that
The American Ireland Fund would assist us in future projects."
Donal Hickey, Public Relations Officer
" With the help of generous Americans, through The AIF, the O'Reilly Library
at Dublin City University is making a significant impact for our students, faculty
and researchers. It has brought a world-class academic resource to Ireland's
youngest university."
Michael T. Murphy, Deputy CEO |
| ellis tate centre for the arts |
An arts centre in North West Connemara. Funding is helping
to build the arts centre by converting an old grain store
in Letterfrack. |
"We take great comfort from the fact that The American
Ireland Fund may be in a position to make our goals possible,
by stepping in to make up the funding difference and, in
so doing, bring the arts centre into existence."
Mari Saville, Director |
| energy action |
Addresses the thermal needs of the elderly and needy, and
offers training to long-term unemployed people. Funding provides
home computers, training programmes, home visits, individual
tutoring, and evaluation. |
"The American Ireland Fund has been instrumental in enabling
us to survive at crucial stages of development. As we are
charged with the responsibility of providing training, mentoring
and monitoring to the groups involved in the national programme
for fuel poverty alleviation, we anticipate that The AIF
will continue to be essential supporters."
Charles Roarty, General Manager |
| evangelical contribution on northern ireland (econi) |
Prepares Christians to address the community divisions
in Northern Ireland. Funding goes towards the costs of an
action research project that aims to contribute to peace
and reconciliation. |
"Using training modules developed with the help of The
AIF, we have been able to bring together local Protestant
and Roman Catholic congregations and enable them to understand
how history, culture and religion have shaped their identity.
With this understanding they are equipped to engage positively
with members of each other's community."
Lynda Gould, Learning Director |
| fatima groups united |
A coalition that aims to lobby for the regeneration of
Fatima, one of Ireland's poorest communities. Funding supports
research, training, and programme costs for a three-year
project to develop a sustainable form of art provision suited
to the needs of local people. |
" The American Ireland Fund has made a very significant
contribution to our organisation and the wider community
of Fatima Mansions by: responding positively and consistently
to project proposals; providing practical advice and serving
as a liaison in respect of potential donors; engaging directly
with the community in critical discussions around social
need and effective fundraising; and providing positive profiling
of Fatima in publications and other media."
Niall O'Baoill, Cultural/Arts Coordinator |
| fettercairn youth horse project |
Provides disadvantaged young people with the opportunity
to develop social skills through their interest in horses.
Funding supports the costs of training equipment. |
"We believe that the young people who access our project
have a right to the same quality of opportunity as young
people everywhere, and we are glad to been able to purchase
quality horses and hire experienced and qualified staff with
the assistance of grants from The
American Ireland Fund."
Michael Quilligan, Board Member |
| flax trust |
The largest community regeneration project in Ireland,
which focuses on economic development by using abandoned
linen mills to create a sizeable business centre in the Ardoyne/Shankill
interface, a Belfast "no man's land." Funding is used to
provide cross-community training through the Brookfield Business
School, teaching courses in IT technologies, engineering,
and construction. |
"The American Ireland Fund's grants to the Foyer and Brookfield
Business School have helped provide young, homeless people
with the accommodation and the skills necessary to gain full-time
employment and develop the capacity to get their own accommodation
and live a worthwhile, independent life."
Fr. Myles Kavanagh, Chairman |
| free legal advice centres flac |
Provides legal advice to those who otherwise cannot afford
it, focusing on those who don't
fully understand the legal system or their rights. Funding helps provide
training for volunteer advisors and increases access to the law for citizens
in rural areas. |
"We provide free, confidential advice through our telephone
information line and referral line, and through a network
of part-time legal advice centres nationwide, operated by
volunteer lawyers. The American Ireland Fund has enabled
us to provide information and training seminars for these
lawyers."
Catherine Hickey, Director |
| galway rape crisis centre |
Offers free and confidential support and counseling to
survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Funding is used to provide
training for all workers at the centre. |
"The AIF grant has enabled our staff and volunteers to
undertake valuable training and development, which means
they can provide a more comprehensive and professional service
to our clients."
Agnes Warren, Coordinator |
| galway simon community |
A caring and campaigning movement that has been working
with homeless people in Ireland since 1969. Funding helps
cover the costs of fixtures and fittings needed to expand
the charity shop floor. |
"Funding from The American Ireland Fund permitted training
opportunities in the resettlement project. The training covers
capacity building in the areas of social skills, hygiene
and nutrition together with education and self-advocacy in
the areas of housing and social welfare."
Á ine Kilgallon, Fundraiser |
| galway university foundation |
Works to advance the strategic priorities and economic
objectives of the National University of Ireland, Galway.
Funding is used to support the Community Knowledge Initiative,
a broad programme of outreach and civic leadership designed
to bring together community engagement and economic endeavor. |
"Funding from The American Ireland Fund has enabled NUI,
Galway and IRD Kiltimagh to initiate a partnership programme
of research, service learning and knowledge-sharing activities.
The Community Knowledge Initiative is based on the fundamental
principles of putting communities at the centre of debate
and educating students for civic engagement."
Aileen Shaw, Director of Operations |
| gate theatre |
One of the most adventurous and far-sighted play houses
in Europe. Funding is being used for a new building to transform
the existing facilities and house the outreach and creative
development plans. |
"With The American Ireland Fund Leadership Gift, the building
project has become a reality in the Gate's 75th year, and
they should take a bow, for when it is built it will help
nurture and unleash an extraordinary wave of new writing
talent."
Marie Rooney, Deputy Director |
| glencairn people's project |
Oversees the regeneration strategy for Glencairn and its
environment. Funding supports refurbishment of the office
block to provide a new gallery and production of photographic
slides and speaking notes to use as a community resource. |
"The grant enabled us to purchase an interpreter system
which guides the public through the museum and provides background
information about the exhibitions and the history of the
area. We hope to upgrade the system with a view to adding
French and Irish to the English language already in the system."
Tommy Kirkham, Councilor |
| glenstal abbey |
A Benedictine monastery in County Limerick which manages
a boarding school for boys, a farm, and a guest house. Funding
supports the development of a modern 16-bedroom residential
conference centre and a new library. |
"The American Ireland Fund has provided us with excellent
facilities for our guests and a new library which houses
our important collection of books and is available to our
guests and visitors."
Fr. Simon Sleeman, Bursar |
| grow |
A mental health self-help organisation. Funding is used
in the development of classroom training facilities. |
" Our goal is to make GROW available to the many people
struggling with mental illness - an estimated 1,000,000.
This will require much better management, publicity and training.
We are on our way."
Mike Watts, National Program Coordinator |
| habitat for humanity belfast |
Brings together Catholic and Protestant volunteers to restore,
revitalise, and reconcile divided communities by building
affordable homes for low-income families in the Ligoniel/Ballysillan
area of North Belfast. Funding helps provide necessary materials
and resources. |
"The AIF has played a fundamental role in enabling us to
build communities without fear in divided areas within Northern
Ireland, and has been instrumental in bringing volunteers
from all walks of life together to work side by side."
Liz Burke, Director of Fundraising & Communication |
| hazelwood integrated college |
An all-ability coeducational college for post-primary
children ages 11-18 that gives equal status to Catholics
and Protestants. Funding supports an enrichment fund for
extra-curricular activities and promoting links with other
schools, which add to the educational experience of the students. |
"Our goals for the future are to continue to promote integrated
education locally, nationally
and internationally; to enhance the reputation of Hazelwood College and
increase its
enrollment; to raise student awareness of the wider world by providing
opportunities for students to travel and interact with students from other
countries; to develop in young people a mutual understanding of other religions
and cultures; and to provide students with the opportunity to develop social
and leadership skills."
Eileen Lenehan, Acting Principal |
| inniskeen enterprise development group |
Promotes economic and social regeneration in the village
of Inniskeen, primarily through tourism associated with the
local poet Patrick Kavanagh. Funding enables the restoration
of two galleries of St. Mary's Church, which houses the Patrick
Kavanagh Rural & Literary Resource Centre. |
"The funding provided by The American Ireland Fund has
enabled us to provide essential seating. This gives us the
opportunity to hold larger events such as the Patrick Kavanagh
Weekend, which is hugely popular and growing in numbers each
year. Through this event we can encourage interest in Kavanagh
and promote the memory
of this great poet."
Rosaleen Kearney, Secretary |
| integrated education fund forge integrated
primary school |
Enables children ages 4-11 from the two main religious/cultural
traditions in Northern Ireland to be educated together. Funding
helps purchase playgroup equipment and games for the children. |
"Thanks to your fund, we currently have 14 three-year-olds
in a local community centre and a pre-school facility attached
to our primary school. Thank you for helping our visions
and dreams come true."
Julie M. Hardy, Principal |
| ird kiltimagh |
Works to improve the local community through development
of commerce, tourism, and the arts. Funding helps enable
the work necessary to render a site suitable for the development
of The National Institute of Rural Development.Works to improve
the local community through development of commerce, tourism,
and the arts. Funding helps enable the work necessary to
render a site suitable for the development of The National
Institute of Rural Development. |
"The American Ireland Fund has given us the financial means
to progress projects that otherwise would not have been able
to be developed. The money has been used to evolve projects
to better the quality of life and the economic activity of
the area for locals and visitors alike."
Joe Kelly, CEO |
| irish georgian society |
Ireland's Architectural Heritage Society, which aims to
promote an interest in and the conservation of distinguished
examples of architecture and the allied arts. Funding is
applied towards the restoration of historic buildings. " |
In the future, The American Ireland Fund can help with
support and advice and by raising the profile of the Society
to make more people aware of our aims and activities."
Mary Bryan, Chief Executive |
| irish guide dogs for the blind |
Provides guide dogs to the visually impaired. Funding supports
a cytology plan that will help develop a long-term breeding
plan and increase the number of dogs produced. |
"It's not about dogs, it's about providing visually impaired
citizens with dignity, mobility and independence. Mobility
means access to education, employment and the quality of
life enjoyed by the rest of society."
Marguerite McQuaid, Campaign Development Officer |
| irish society for the prevention of
cruelty to children |
Aims to ensure that all children have a happy, safe childhood
and help children who have suffered cruelty or trauma. Funding
helps expand the Leanbh project, which works with children
who are forced to beg on the streets. |
"The ISPCC has a vision - a society where all children
are loved, valued and able to fulfill their potential. In
September 2003, the ISPCC launched 'Stopping the Hurt' - a
new five-year strategy which encapsulates this vision. We
must rely on fundraising and the generosity of others to
achieve this. The opportunity exists to create a truly child-centered
society in Ireland and the ISPCC is determined to ensure
this opportunity is grasped."
Micheal Sheridan, Director of Fundraising |
| john ryan scholarship fund |
Provides scholarships to three secondary schools in Tipperary
town - The Abbey School, St. Ailbe's School, and St. Anne's
School - to help students with financial difficulties attend
or remain in University. Funding is used to award six scholarships
per year. |
"The American Ireland Fund's support promotes hope and
practical wellbeing where most needed."
Paul O'Callaghan, Principal, St. Ailbe's School
" In many cases, scholarship beneficiaries are the first member of their family
to attend third-level. We hope to continue with this very worthwhile scheme."
John Heffernan, Principal, The Abbey School
" Students do not have to take part-time jobs while they are in college, and
they have excelled."
Donald O'Byrne, Principal, St. Anne's School |
| kerry diocesan youth service |
Provides social, recreational, and educational outlets
that meet the needs of young people in the community. Funding
supports a youth training and education centre, which offers
second-chance education and training initiatives for socially
excluded young people. |
" The support of The American Ireland Fund has raised the
profile of the work which is vital for a volunteer organisation.
Also, it has acted as a catalyst for other funders to support
us."
Tim O'Donoghue, Coordinator |
| kilmaine community centre |
Provides a wide range of sports activities to local youths
and residents, and is expanding to offer cultural activities
such as art and drama classes. Funding is used to refurbish
the community centre. |
"The grant from The American Ireland Fund made all the
difference to our project. Our project is now finished. The
centre was re-opened on the 10th August and we now have a
new centre with no debt."
Marian Sheridan, Honorary Secretary |
| kylemore abbey |
An abbey operated by the Benedictine Nuns that houses a
craft shop, a restaurant, and an international all-girls
boarding school. Funding is used to restore and reinstall
the Victorian Walled Garden. |
"The American Ireland Fund has been an essential partner
in our efforts to reconstruct and restore this beautiful
haven in rural Connemara. The size of our undertakings is
far beyond our means, and we have had to rely on charitable
help from our friends in America and elsewhere. The AIF has
been instrumental in identifying potential supporters for
a charitable cause such as ours, helping us with our fundraising
approach in many ways, and in processing tax-effective gifts
from American supporters."
Mother Magdalena FitzGibbon, Order of Saint Benedict |
| lartigue monorail restoration project |
An effort to restore an original section of this unique
monorail.
Funding helps cover the cost of a locomotive engine. |
"But for the very generous contributions from The American
Ireland Fund, the committee would not be able to bring the
project to its present stage. Future financial assistance
will be vital to complete phase II of the project."
Jimmy Deenihan, Chairman |
| learning centre for autistic children |
Delivers services to autistic children and their families,
to allow these children to function more effectively, lead
richer lives, and be a more integral part of the community.
Funding is used to support an occupational therapy facility
at the centre. |
"The availability of funds from The American Ireland Fund
has allowed us to install and equip an occupational therapy
room. We have been able to provide specialist therapy addressing
the children's sensory integration needs. This has enabled
the children to make considerable progress in their overall
development."
David Quinn, Director |
| leitrim design house |
Develops a network of artists and craftspeople who live
and work in Leitrim and aim to foster sustainable businesses.
Funding helps develop traditional arts and crafts at the
local level. |
"With the grant aid received from The American Ireland
Fund, we were able to allocate a beautiful space in the old
market centre, renovate it and develop it into a gallery/retail
outlet for unique Irish craft exclusively created in County
Leitrim. The Design House has been awarded by the Crafts
Council of Ireland as a leading Irish craft retailer."
Anna-Marie O'Rourke, Project Manager |
| linen hall library |
The oldest library in Belfast, which houses the definitive
archive of the recent Troubles. Funding supports computer-based
cataloguing and conservation of key collections. |
"The generous donation from The American Ireland Fund has
enabled us to preserve and conserve a number of important
Irish maps from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries,
and to repair and restore the bindings of a number of eighteenth
and nineteenth century Irish books."
John Killen, Deputy Librarian |
| londonderry inner city trust |
Promotes the relief of poverty and the advancement of education,
particularly among young people, by providing training facilities
for acquiring and developing occupational skills and work
experience. Funding supports a 120-bed youth hostel on Magazine
Street, Derry. |
"Over many years The American Ireland Fund has supplied
pump priming for the numerous projects of the Inner City
Trust. This funding has enabled the Trust to draw down from
other sources several million pounds, which has regenerated
the bombed out heart of the inner walled city of Derry, created
employment for both Catholic and Protestant young people,
and created hope where none existed."
Patrick L. Doherty, Chief Executive |
| mater hospital trust |
Offers emergency, in-patient, day-patient, and out-patient
care in a socially and economically deprived area of Belfast.
Funding helps sustain Dr. Eleanor Wheeler's integrated art
project, which involves psychiatric patients in creating
mosaic and ceramic panels for the facility. |
"Patient participation is part of the process of providing
an aesthetic and relaxing environment for patients and visitors,
helping to alleviate stress and creating a culture of healing.
We feel this is key to the future development of the hospital."
Mary Maguire, Project Manager |
| maudabaun cultural centre |
Aims to regenerate the rural economy through cultural tourism
and to promote understanding between the differing identities
in Ireland. Funding is used to construct a stone-walled,
thatched building in the heart of the community. |
"We were able to complete a section of our building thanks
to funding from The American Ireland Fund."
Aogán O. Fearghail, Director |
| merchants quay project |
A voluntary drug-treatment agency that provides
crisis intervention, day support services, and residential
programs. Funding supports the ongoing development of the
St. Francis Farm initiative, a year-long residential project
that blends educational and skills training with self-development
in a rural farming environment. |
"With the current economic climate it is difficult
to access statutory funding sources for what they see as
not being explicitly clinical treatment. We are relying on
the support of The American Ireland Fund to enable us to
develop the initiative until it is self-reliant."
Tony Geoghegan, Director |
| michael smurfit graduate school of
business - ucd |
A business school that offers one of the top-ranked MBA
programmes in Europe. Funding is used by the Sharkey Chair
to help establish Ireland as the European hub of eCommerce. |
"The goal of the Smurfit School is to become one
of the leading business schools. This will require substantial additional
funding that will enable us to offer programmes similar to those offered
by the better business schools in the U.S."
Maureen Clinton, Office of Administration |
| millennium integrated primary school |
Founded by parents who see cross-community education as
part of a future of genuine reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Funding provides a new classroom with books, story tapes,
and a listening centre. |
"Financial aid towards the pre-school play group, made
possible by The AIF, has helped with enrollments and has
provided pre-school education in an area where there was
a shortfall in provision."
Mary Roulston, Principal |
| model arts & niland gallery |
A gallery of local, national, and international significance,
based in the former Model School National Building. Funding
helps to purchase a museum standard lighting system for the
gallery, which includes the most significant collection of
Jack B. Yeats paintings outside the National Gallery of Ireland. |
"In the future we would like to present the arts in an
accessible way to young and old alike, to foster appreciation
and to create it where there has been none, to stimulate
learning and to reach out to the disadvantaged through art
programmes."
Aoife Flynn, Executive Development Officer |
| móin fhionnúrach development association |
Established to purchase, conserve, and manage the bog of
Fenor for educational and recreational purposes. Funding
is used to build a boardwalk, provide seating, erect information
boards, and create wheelchair access. |
"Grant aid received from The American Ireland Fund played
an enormous part in bringing the Fenor Bog Project to fruition.
The funding has helped to put in place an amenity/information
area and install a boardwalk made of recycled plastic whilst
protecting the existing habitat."
Rita Byrne, Secretary |
| mountmellick concert hall committee |
A committee charged with restoring a historic theatre to
be used as a centre for arts and culture. Funding covers
the costs of refurbishing seating in the theatre. |
"The American Ireland Fund's grant meant everything to
us because, in being able to do the most urgent work, we
could open the doors for business and consequently generate
funding of our own."
Kathleen Cussen, Honorary Secretary |
| muckross rowing club |
Provides rowing facilities, equipment, and clothing for
area youths and enables them to compete at local, national,
and international regattas. Funding contributes to the ongoing
development of the club. |
"It is the goal of Muckross Rowing Club to continue its
development of rowing in the Muckross area as a primary,
healthy leisure occupation for our young people. The AIF
can assist in this with the provision of seed capital which
supplements the local input and voluntary work."
Maurice Coffey, Committee Member |
| national gallery of ireland |
Houses the national collection of Irish and European master
paintings. Funding is used to develop the Millennium Wing
extension, which provides over 44,000 square feet of additional
space with up-to-date exhibition facilities and improved
amenities. |
"The Millennium Wing opened to the public in January 2002
and since then over 1.3 million people have visited. Additional
services now provided include: a programme of international
exhibitions; a new print room and designated Yeats Archive;
and a Centre for the Study of Irish Art."
Criona Cullen, Head of Development |
| newman institute ireland |
A small, third-level college that offers post-graduate
courses in counseling, marriage and family, community development,
and the humanities. Funding contributes to a major international
capital development programme. |
"Generous contributions from The American Ireland Fund
have made it possible to bridge the gap between the U.S.
and Ireland by providing an on-line Masters course to people
who now are practicing and teaching at local levels, and
would not otherwise have had this opportunity."
Fr. Muredach Tuffy, Director |
| northern ireland children's enterprise
n.i.c.e. |
Aims to promote peace, reconciliation, and mutual understanding
in Northern Ireland by offering an enterprise that brings
about 10,000 meetings between individuals of two Belfast
communities. Funding is used to develop ongoing work with
groups in community relations and volunteer training. |
" The grant from The AIF has helped to support our ongoing
work in promoting reconciliation and understanding between
the communities in Northern Ireland. Hundreds of friendships
have been formed and relationships, which seemed impossible
twenty years ago, have been firmly established."
Carmel McCavana, Executive Director |
| oakgrove integrated primary school |
Strives to counteract increasing polarisation and segregation
in the Derry community. Funding helps create an attractive
playground environment in which children from different parts
of the community can come together to play safely. |
"The AIF was there with moral and financial help when it
was most needed. This enabled parents to actualise their
dream of having their Protestant and Catholic children educated
together even when the Government withdrew their support
and changed funding criteria."
Dr. Anne Murray, Principal |
| offaly historical and archaeological
society |
Aims to collect, interpret, exhibit, and preserve research
materials and artifacts that document the history of the
region. Funding is used to make the research facility more
accessible. |
"Future support will help us enhance our information-based
website, improve our database on local history, and assist
others with technical and editorial support for local history
publications."
Michael Byrne, Secretary |
| omagh community house |
A community house for local voluntary groups, located on
the site of the bombing in Omagh. Funding supports the costs
of construction. |
"The American Ireland Fund has contributed significantly
to the construction of a landmark building upon the site
of devastation that was left after the Omagh bombing. It
is because of The AIF that the most socially excluded and
isolated individuals within our community can avail of the
services provided by the Community House tenant organisations."
John Kerr, Manager |
| phab northern ireland inclusion matters |
Offers integrated personal development training for disabled
and nondisabled young people. Funding provides assistance
with residential training costs. |
"The AIF grant has helped us tremendously in expanding
our disability awareness programme in schools and youth clubs
throughout Northern Ireland. We were able to recruit and
train volunteers as puppeteers, and have started to produce
accompanying educational materials for young people who watch
our shows."
Rainer Pagel, Director |
| queen's university of belfast foundation |
Supports Queen's University, which has a record of academic
achievement that stretches back more than 150 years. Funding
helps establish the Chair of Poetry as part of the Seamus
Heaney Centre for Poetry. |
"The AIF grant helped us accelerate the recruitment and
appointment of a high-profile person
to the Chair of Poetry. This appointment will enable the Seamus Heaney
Centre to leverage gifts more readily in the future."
Norma Sinte, Head of Corporate & Major Gifts Fundraising |
| roscommon travellers development group |
Addresses policy issues of concern to Travellers, which
include accommodation, education, youth, and equality. Funding
covers the costs of fixtures, fittings, and furniture for
the new community centre. |
"We would greatly appreciate assistance towards a training
project for young Travellers who have left school early.
The training programme is hoped to be an educational project
based on cultural sharing between Travellers, settled young
people and non-EU nationals in Roscommon town."
Siobhán Noctor, Traveller Resource Worker |
| rosses point heritage association |
Identifies and records the maritime, cultural, environmental,
and archeological information of a cross-border community.
Funding helps to stabilise the Old Pilot House. |
"The restoration of the Old Pilot House at the headland
was the most important of our targeted initiatives as it
has direct links to Jack B. Yeats the painter and W. B. Yeats
the poet."
Gerard Creamer, Secretary |
| royal college of surgeons in ireland |
A medical school that dates from the 19th century and maintains
the highest standards in education and training. Funding
assists a study to improve clinical status in patients with
multiple suicide attempts. |
"The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is an independent
and financially self-reliant medical school; retaining our
competitive advantage requires high investment in faculty,
technology and infrastructure. The College relies heavily
on support from donors both publicly and privately."
Prof. Kevin O'Malley, CEO/Registrar |
| royal irish academy of music |
A place of musical education and excellence that consistently
maintains the highest standards of performance and musical
appreciation. Funding is used to renovate and fit out the
existing performance areas. |
"Funding from The American Ireland Fund has made it possible
for the RIAM to offer its students, as well as members of
the public, a concert hall for the twenty-first century."
Ciara Higgins, Public Relations/Concerts Manager |
| school of the holy cross |
A primary school with a preschool and day care facility
serving the needs of pupils in a disadvantaged area of Cork
City. Funding is used to provide a playground within an enclosed
area of the primary school grounds. |
"As a result of the grants, we now have a beautiful, safe
playground for our infant section. The children derive great
enjoyment from it and are actively learning through play
in a fun environment. The playground has also facilitated
the development of confidence and tolerance among our pupils.
It is one of the reasons that the children's attendance here
is excellent."
Orla Barry, School Principal |
| scouting ireland |
Promotes the development of young people from both sides
of the border in achieving their full potential - physically,
intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Funding supports
the purchase and development of Castle Saunderson Campsite
on the border between North and South. |
"Without The American Ireland Fund, the Castle Saunderson
Project's fundraising initiatives would never have gotten
off the ground. Having The AIF endorse our project gave us
credibility when approaching potential donors and opened
doors that would never have been possible for us to open
alone."
Mary Farrell, Project Development Coordinator |
| seanchaí-kerry literary & cultural
centre |
Preserves and promotes Ireland's rich literary history.
Funding supports work on the writers' exhibition and the
development of the archival library. |
"The Centre is developing a programme of third-level accredited
literary and cultural programmes in association with the
Institute of Technology, Tralee and the University of Limerick,
targeted primarily at students in the USA and Europe. The
support of The American Ireland Fund in promoting these programmes
overseas will greatly assist in the development of Seanchaí as
a centre of education into the future."
Cara Trant, Manager |
| skibbereen rowing club |
A rowing club founded in 1970 that has members from Skibbereen
Parish and surrounding parishes. Funding is used towards
construction of a new boat house, gymnasium fitout, and gym
equipment. |
"The American Ireland Fund has made a great difference
to our club as it has enabled us to promote and develop an
awareness of the benefits of sport to the health of a community.
Young people from a geographically disadvantaged area with
a history of rural depopulation and emigration have been
nurtured to experience an enthusiasm for sport and a sense
of personal value and achievement."
Bridie O'Donoghue, Secretary |
| society of st. vincent de paul |
An international voluntary Christian organisation working
with the poor and disadvantaged. Funding is used to purchase
a suite of computers that will enhance internal/external
communications throughout the organisation, both in Belfast/Derry
and other SVP outreach centres. |
"The new equipment purchased has enabled us to centralise
our accounts, bank through an electronic banking system,
provide a statistical research facility with Internet access
and link with our many projects throughout the Northern Ireland
region."
Aileen Coney, Regional Administrator |
| special olympics world summer games
2003 |
Provides a unique and unparalleled sporting and cultural
experience for the athletes taking part, their coaches and
families, and the volunteers, combining the excitement of
sport with the opportunity for personal distinction and pride.
Funding is used for both general running costs and the Sponsor
an Athlete program, through which The AIF supports an individual
athlete during the Games. |
"Moving forward, the Games Organising Committee is responsible
for ensuring that the legacy of the Games is built on. Over
the next four years the organisation aims to grow the number
of athletes 100% - from 8,000 to 16,000. Special Olympics
Ireland would be delighted to continue what has been a fruitful
and mutually beneficial relationship with The American Ireland
Fund."
Mary Davis, CEO |
| speedwell trust |
Brings together children from segregated schools and housing
estates to work on environmental programmes. Funding supports
the cost of programme materials for the children. |
"The American Ireland Fund's support is helping Speedwell
to develop and support partnerships between Catholic and
Protestant children from some of the most bitterly sectarian
areas of Northern Ireland. In doing so it is helping the
children build the peace to ensure a better future for us
all."
Jean Kelly, Director |
| springboard opportunities |
Provides opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds
to strengthen communities through public service and help
foster the creation of a new social infrastructure. Funding
goes towards educational awards." |
Support from The American Ireland Fund has helped Springboard
provide a unique opportunity for 12 disadvantaged young people
and 12 groups working in disadvantaged areas. Through the
Urban Service Project, young people strengthened disadvantaged
communities through public service, developing leadership
skills and an understanding of cultural diversity."
Angila Chada, Manager |
| st. columb's cathedral |
The oldest building in Londonderry [built in 1633], and
widely recognised for its active promotion of ecumenical
and bridge-building activities. Funding helps refurbish the
Cathedral Organ. |
"The grant from The American Ireland Fund has helped us
continue with the restoration of the historic organ in the
cathedral, which was vandalised in December 1994. If we can
secure more funding, the organ will become an instrument
of reconciliation in our city and far beyond by bringing
together, through the medium of music, people who differ
greatly from one another politically."
William Morton, Very Reverend Doctor |
| st. mark's boys national school |
Serves the community of the Glen, a highly disadvantaged
area of Cork City. Funding supports school-based projects
for parents, outdoor pursuits programmes, a gardening project,
upkeep of the school building, art/drama projects, employment
of tutors, and a speech/language therapy project. |
"We will continue to provide new opportunities for our
pupils. Opportunities they would not have without the financial
assistance of The American Ireland Fund. Our goal is to make
a difference."
David O'Connor, Principal |
| st. patrick's college of education |
Trains teachers on how to integrate technology into teaching,
both in the classroom and on line. Funding is applied towards
grants for creative educators who develop interactive, web-based
curricula. |
"The American Ireland Fund plays a key role in enabling
us to provide teachers with the grants to develop and disseminate
on-line curriculum units, which can be used by all teachers
in Ireland and around the world free of charge."
Deirdre Butler, Project Director |
| st. vincent's trust |
Supports people of all ages who have experienced educational
disadvantage by helping them realise their personal learning
goals and participate in their communities. Funding pays
to retain the services of a psychologist whose work is invaluable
in assisting young people to cope with their many deep personal
difficulties. |
"St. Vincent's Trust launched a new adult and community
education service in January 2002. The number of participants
registered for courses in 2003 is 180, and most courses have
waiting lists. The type and variety of courses that can be
offered is dependent on how we can raise funds as there is
very limited public funding."
Anthony Cotterell, Accountant |
| taunagh select vestry |
Maintains the buildings of Taunagh Parish Church in County
Sligo. Funding supports the restoration of a valuable and
historically important stained glass window transferred from
a church in Leitrim. |
"The grant from The American Ireland Fund was important
for the preservation and installation of a stained glass
window. Its beauty and design is now enjoyed by parishioners
and visitors alike."
John Taylor, Director |
| the carline centre of learning |
Provides training for young people ages 13-18 who are outside
the mainstream educational system. Funding supports programmes
for trainees and equipment needed in our classrooms, workshops,
and general purpose areas. |
"Our goal is to expand the service we are currently offering
to our trainees. We would like to build a crèche to support
our teenage moms and dads, and also to be utilized by the
local community. Funding will always be used in the best
interest of our trainees."
Fiona Murray, Centre Director |
| the safe-home programme |
Repatriates elderly Irish emigrants who want to return
home but lack the resources to do so. Funding pays for production
of a video on New Ireland, induction packs, a conference,
and newsletter-related costs. |
Being able to reinforce our written material by face-to-face
meetings is an invaluable part of the induction process and
we thank The American Ireland Fund for making this possible."
Máirín Higgins,Program Director |
| the salvation army |
Engages in a programme of practical concern for the needs
of humanity. Funding contributes towards the provision of
a safe, secure, and stimulating play space for young children
who come from the most needy and deprived areas. |
"The grant from The American Ireland Fund enabled the Thorndale
Centre to construct a new boundary wall at the lower side
of the Rowan complex, which allowed the leveling of the
children's play area. This produced a larger and much safer play facility
for the Rowan families in addition to improved security."
Harriett Pointon, Divisional Director for Social Work |
| the spectrum centre |
Contains a wide range of facilities for the community with
an emphasis on youth work. Funding contributes towards the
cost of employing an outreach worker who serves as a liaison
with existing youth and community groups and encourages them
to use our neutral environment. |
"The Centre's official opening was made possible through
contributions from The American Ireland Fund. The development
of the youth lounge area also benefited, bringing young people
together for group work and personal development."
Heather Boyd, Manager |
| tipperary excel heritage |
Provides access to a full range of artistic and cultural
activities alongside heritage facilities and public service
spaces. Funding supports the Ballet Ireland Workshop for
children. |
"The Excel's primary goal is to become self-sufficient.
However, this takes time and expertise. We plan to have a
consultant employed by The American Ireland Fund to carry
out an assessment and produce
a strategy report for the arts in Tipperary. This assistance would be invaluable
to the
organisation."
Mary Sarsfield, General Manager |
| tyrone guthrie centre |
Offers residencies to established professional artists
from both parts of Ireland and abroad, and organises a Regional
Bursary Scheme for younger emerging artists. Funding helps
to further the capital development programme. |
"The AIF has assisted us in developing our facilities for
artists visual artists in particular, and in supporting periods
of residency for writers, musicians and visual artists from
all over the world."
Sheila Pratschke, Director |
| tyrrell trust |
Aims to promote a better understanding of the two main
cultural traditions in Ireland by using the historical Grange
Castle site to illustrate the common bonds between Catholics
and Protestants. Funding is used to restore the courtyard
gates at Grange Castle. |
"The Trust sees the participation of American young people
in this project as being vital to its success, because American
youth can bring to Ireland the culture of a country where
the differences between Catholics and Protestants, indeed
all religious differences, have long been successfully resolved.
At the same time, by visiting Grange Castle, they can experience
the history which they have in common with both their Irish
and British contemporaries."
Grattan de Courcy-Wheeler, Director |
| university college cork foundation |
Supports University College Cork, an internationally recognised
and respected institution with a diverse faculty serving
its 14,000 students and leading Ireland's research efforts.
Funding goes towards the construction of an art gallery and
related programs to be carried on in the gallery. |
"More and more buildings and laboratories at UCC are bearing
the names
of generous individuals whose gifts have been made possible through The
American Ireland Fund and it is our firm intention to increase our interaction
with such individuals. AIF grants have made and continue to make an enormous
difference at UCC."
Dr. Jean van Sinderen-Law, Director of Development |
| upper andersonstown community forum |
An amalgamation of 14 distinct community groups that promotes
the ethos of community, economic, and cultural regeneration
and provides day care, after-school programs, and training
and education courses. Funding helps prepare a strategic
five-year development plan. |
"The Forum is continuously trying to build the social,
community and economic infrastructure within the area. Assistance
in creating and sustaining employment would be particularly
welcome."
Patrick Wilson, Project Coordinator |
| valentia island branch committee of
kerry parents & friends association |
Provides fundraising, enhances community awareness, and
arranges transport for the mentally handicapped in the area.
Funding goes towards completion of the residential and day
service facility for six adults now living in Killarney and
12 day attendees who will be in life-long care at this facility. |
"Given that we live in an isolated rural area the most
westerly inhabited island off the Irish coast, fundraising
is limited. We got a huge lift and encouragement from the
first grant Sir Tony O'Reilly matched it with his personal
grant, and this set us up both financially and psychologically
to keep going."
Rosaleen O'Connell, Chairperson |
| verbal arts centre |
Stresses the creative and imaginative potential of language
and consistently promotes the right of every person to be
able to articulate his or her feelings, dreams, aspirations,
and fears. Funding is used to complete the fitting out of
the Centre's coffee house, a meeting place that's set on
Derry's historic walls. |
"The AIF grant has allowed the Verbal Arts Centre to excavate
and unlock the rich literary heritage of Ireland and use
it to promote positive community relations." |
| waterford & suir valley railway company |
Works to construct a narrow-gauge railway experience that
incorporates a railway heritage museum and recreates stations,
signals, and bridges. Funding helps cover the costs of rail
track, a train shed, and platforms. |
"Eventually the track will be extended to Grattan Quay
so that passengers may board and disembark the train in Waterford
City Centre and use it as a commuter service. Grants are
available from EU sources for capital work but we must provide
50% of the funding."
Maria Kyte, Manager |
| wave trauma centre |
Offers a number of therapeutic and self-development programmes
to help those bereaved or traumatised as a result of the
Troubles in Northern Ireland. Funding supports these programs,
which include drop-in support, welfare advice, reflexology,
aromatherapy, counseling, and massage. |
"The need for safe and effective means in which individuals
can tell/record their story is key to the long-term future
of Northern Ireland. The organisation has piloted a number
of storytelling projects which have been immensely beneficial.
This fits firmly within a process of peace-building and working
towards healing."
Sandra Peake, CEO |
| young irish film makers |
Enables young people ages 8-18 to make their own film productions
up to professional standards of excellence. Funding assists
with scholarships, video equipment, and production costs. |
"The American Ireland Fund helped us equip and organise
the National Youth Film School, a major new initiative to
set up youth film as an arts discipline throughout Ireland.
Twenty-three young people from Ireland and Northern Ireland
came together for five weeks in Kilkenny to make a feature
film called 'The Children', which won the Dolphin Trophy
at the Moondance Film Festival 2003 in Denver, Colorado."
Mike Kelly, Artistic Director |
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