On Tuesday 22 November, The Ireland Funds Belfast Young Leaders gathered in the magnificent setting of the Graduate Centre in Queen’s University Belfast to celebrate Thanksgiving by hearing from three organisations supported by The Ireland Funds who are making a real difference across Northern Ireland.
Ryan Feeney, member of the Belfast Young Leaders steering committee and head of engagement for QUB, welcomed guests and introduced the choir led by Young Leader Jonathan Ireland. The choir treated guests to an array of musical delights and finished with a Christmas hit to herald in the festive season.
Gareth Harper of PeacePlayers International, Bryan Patten of the Washington Ireland Programme and Anne Anderson-Porter of Co-operation Ireland, each spoke about the work of their organisations, their longstanding relationships with The Ireland Funds and what it meant to each organisation to receive a Flagship Grant.
Conor Houston, Chair of the Belfast Young Leaders steering committee and Programme Director at CDPB, concluded the evening and spoke about his gratitude for those working to make a difference in Belfast and his hope for the part the Young Leaders would play in developing that future.
