On November 19th, The Ireland Funds welcomed over 800 of New England’s top corporate leaders and friends of Ireland including Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Sighle FitzGerald, Ireland’s Consul General for New England, as they gathered at The Westin Copley Place to celebrate The Ireland Funds 44th Boston Gala.
The event, led by Gala Chair Robert L. Reynolds of Great-West Lifeco U.S. LLC and Gala Vice Chair Casey M. Condron of Fidelity Investments, and a dedicated Gala Committee, raised over $2 million in support of charitable, cultural, and educational causes across the island of Ireland and the local New England community.
The Ireland Funds 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to Bart A. Grenier, President, FMR LLC and Head of Asset Management, Fidelity Investments and Leslie King Grenier, Board Director of The Ireland Funds America. The Ireland Funds 2025 Literary Award was presented to Dorchester native Patrick Radden Keefe, bestselling author and staff writer at The New Yorker.
Caitriona Fottrell, President and CEO of The Ireland Funds, opened the evening by welcoming everyone present—sponsors, donors, and friends—and expressing gratitude for their support: “Every life The Ireland Funds has touched this year began with your generosity. A huge thank you to each and every one of you.”
Governor Healey followed with remarks about her Irish heritage, thanking The Ireland Funds for its impact both in Ireland and locally in Boston. She congratulated the honorees and acknowledged Bart and Leslie for their philanthropic spirit, while giving high praise to Patrick Radden Keefe for the powerful influence of his writing in effecting change.
A surprise announcement by Bart Grenier added to the evening’s excitement. He revealed a $5 million gift to The Ireland Funds America Endowment, honoring his wife, Leslie King Grenier’s leadership in the Boston community and her dedication to The Ireland Funds mission, which has supported thousands of nonprofit organizations since its founding in 1976.
It was a poignant moment as Leslie, who was seated offstage, was stunned by the announcement. She came on stage to a rousing applause and delivered her speech with grace and charm, thanking friends and family for supporting the night and thanking The Ireland Funds, an organization that has become like a family to her.
Caitriona Fottrell thanked Bart and Leslie for this extraordinary gift, which will ensure the future of The Ireland Funds in Boston continues for generations to come thanks to the Grenier family’s generosity.
After dinner, Caitriona welcomed Patrick Radden Keefe to the stage to accept this year’s Literary Award. Caitriona noted that Patrick, with his award-winning book Say Nothing, brought global attention to the very issues that shaped the foundation of The Ireland Funds – sectarian violence, fractured communities, and the promise and potential of reconciliation.
It was a proud moment for local Bostonians, and particularly Dorchester natives, to see Patrick receive this honor. Patrick was eloquent and witty in his remarks. He reflected on his book, Say Nothing, which he worked on for over 10 years. He was deeply moved by the recognition, thrilled to be in his native homeland, and spoke highly of The Ireland Funds’ work. In particular, he highlighted two charities that The Ireland Funds has supported for years – Fighting Words and Integrated Education – both of which deeply resonated with his own life and work.
Maudy Dooher, The Ireland Funds Vice President of Development for New England, concluded the program by announcing the local beneficiaries of this year’s Boston Gala, which included the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester, Irish Pastoral Centre, Nantucket Boys & Girls Club, Ron Burton Village, and Dreamland Film & Performing Arts Theater of Nantucket. In honor of Patrick Radden Keefe, a grant was made to The Sentry in Washington, DC.
Irish Tenor Sean Tester, a graduate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, closed out the night with a poignant rendition of The Parting Glass. It was a truly memorable evening that brought the Boston community together around shared values of giving back, honoring outstanding individuals, and announcing a transformative gift while highlighting the enduring ties to Ireland.
Guests of note included Andrew Arnott of Manulife/John Hancock, Robert G. Atchinson of Adage Capital Management, Kate Barton of Dentons, Roger Crandall of MassMutual, Abigail Johnson of Fidelity Investments, Jean Hynes of Wellington Management, Peter Lynch of The Lynch Foundation, Edmund F. Murphy III of Empower, and Ronald P. O’Hanley of State Street Corporation.
Photo credit: Maura Wayman