The Ireland Funds hosted its 34th National Gala at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. In its most successful Washington D.C. Gala to date, over $ 1.5 million was raised in support of The Ireland Funds’ work across the island of Ireland.
The sold-out event celebrated the deep ties, heritage and friendship between the island of Ireland and the United States and was part of a series of year-long celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of The Ireland Funds since its founding in 1976.
Patrick Collison, co-founder & CEO of Stripe, introduced Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, who served as the Honorary Patron of the event. “For half a century, The Ireland Funds have embodied the very best of Irish America,” said the Taoiseach. “Generosity, leadership, vision, underwritten by an unshakable belief in the power of connection. We salute you for it. You have invested in education, peacebuilding, arts, culture, and community development. You have supported young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to become doctors, engineers, teachers, and leaders. You have strengthened reconciliation in Northern Ireland. You have demonstrated what a diaspora can achieve when it acts with unity and purpose. Over 50 years, you have created a remarkable legacy and I know you are not finished yet.”
The Honorable Katherine M. Clark, Democratic Whip, U.S. House of Representatives and The Honorable Sean P. Duffy, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, both with ancestry tracing back to Ireland, were the 2026 Honorees and were recognized for their commitment to public service.
“For 50 years, this organization has summoned the talent and the generosity of our people, channeled a deep-rooted thirst. for a better world and mobilized it into a future more worthy of our children,” said Congresswoman Clark as she noted the work of The Ireland Funds. “What greater tribute could there be to our history and our heritage?”. “The Irish give what they have. Our work, our sacrifice, our faith to build something that’s bigger than ourselves,” said Secretary Duffy as he accepted his award. “That’s the story of being Irish. That’s the story of America, and that’s the story of The Ireland Funds.”
For 34 years, the National Gala has recognized and honored Presidents, Prime Ministers, artists, humanitarians, and leaders in government, business, and philanthropy. The Honorary Chairs of the 2026 event were H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the U.S.; H.E. Edward Sharp Walsh, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland; H.E. Dr. Christian Turner CM, British Ambassador to the U.S.; and Richard Cushnie, Director, Northern Ireland Bureau.
“The shared love and deep affinity between the United States and the island of Ireland have always been a focus of this National Gala and indeed at the roots of The Ireland Funds itself,” said Caitriona Fottrell, President & CEO of The Ireland Funds. “As we celebrate 50 years of carrying out our mission, we take pride in the positive outcomes we have delivered. Mobilizing the collective strength of our generous donors and the dedicated nonprofit partners we support, has been a catalyst for extraordinary change for the island of Ireland.”