Conference 1 connect 2018 • 47 THE FOUR-DAY CONFERENCE WELCOMED OUR SUPPORTERS FROM 27 CITIES ACROSS THE WORLD visiting a range of funded projects as well as key events that included The Ireland Funds AWB Vincent Literary Award which was presented to Irish author Anne Enwright. The conference also included a plenary session that discussed the long-range plans for the organization. The philanthropic impact of The Ireland Funds was recognized at the event’s Gala as special guest Senator George Mitchell addressed those gathered and thanked them for their generosity which has impacted thousands of causes and nonprofit organizations across the island of Ireland. Donors who have shown a philanthropic com- mitment at the highest levels to The Ireland Funds were acknowledged as members of the new Ireland Funds O’Reilly Rooney Society. Several of those donors present on the night were recognized and thanked by those gath- ered. THANK YOU to all our supporters and friends who took time to join us in June. We simply could not do this key work without you.