Over 350 guests attended The Ireland Funds annual Rugby Lunch in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel on Friday 1st February. The lunch honoured Irish Rugby legend, Tommy Bowe.
Director Ireland, Caitriona Fottrell, welcomed guests and thanked them for attending, highlighting the fact that the capacity room sold out almost immediately thanks to returning, loyal supporters. Caitriona then spoke about the work of The Ireland Funds and how donations made on the day would help fund the Flagship Grants of The Ireland Funds. She then introduced a short video highlighting the work and impact of Flagship Awardee, Move4Parkinson’s.
The Ireland Funds Chairman, Alan Foy, then took the stage and thanked the Funds’ Corporate Partners, ICON, Blueface, Cpl, Mason Hayes & Curran and KPMG, whose continued support is greatly appreciated. Alan reiterated Caitriona’s sentiments highlighting the great and global network of the Funds and encouraged those in the room to increase their involvement. Alan then introduced the second Flagship Awardee video highlighting TCPID and featuring a programme graduate who has now gained meaningful employment with the corporate community.
Sports Broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn, emceed the event and conducted a lively Q&A with honouree Tommy Bowe whose stellar rugby career has seen him play professionally for Ulster and Ospreys, have Grand Slam success with Ireland, two tours with the British & Irish Lions in 2009 and 2013 and was voted 2010 Six Nations Player of the Championship.
In attendance were Chairman of The Ireland Funds America John Fitzpatrick, Chairman of The Ireland Funds Great Britain Rory Godson and Chairman of The Ireland Funds Canada Oliver Murray. The Ireland Funds Board of Directors was represented by Alan Foy, Tommy Gallagher, Emer Gilvarry, Caroline Kennedy, Gerard Ryan, and Trevor Ringland.
Special thanks to all our lunch Partners: AIB, Brandes Investment Partners, Land Rover, William Fry and guests for their wonderful support.
