October 8-10, 2010 marked the Gala Weekend Celebrations of The Ireland Fund of Monaco. Occurring every other year, it is among the most elegant of events held by The Worldwide Ireland Funds. Supporters travelled from across the world to attend the weekend and the celebration included representatives from the Funds in Australia, France, Great Britain, Ireland and the US.
Thursday evening, guests were welcomed at the Princess Grace Irish Library. Located in the former family home of the late Countess Brame-Gastaldi, the Library is a tribute to the deep attachment Princess Grace felt for her Irish heritage. Today, it is the center of all things Irish in Monaco and offers the best in Irish culture and literature. The evening’s highlight was a reading of works by current Writer-in-Residence James Harpur, for those gathered. The Fund is a long standing contributor to the Library and the Writer in Residence program.
Friday evening, guests gathered for dinner at the Yacht Club of Monaco. Chairman of The American Ireland Fund, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, welcomed those who had come to celebrate. She explained how support generated over the weekend was critical to the work the Funds are doing to meet need and create opportunity across the island of Ireland.
Prince Albert II presents award at ceremony in the Hotel de Paris, Monaco
Saturday evening, the black tie Gala was held at the Salle Empire of the Hotel de Paris. Kieran McLoughlin, President & CEO of The Worldwide Ireland Funds, opened the evening by thanking the guests for their generosity which supports the needs of the most vulnerable members of society in Ireland.
The fourth Princess Grace Humanitarian Award, named after the late Princess of Monaco, was presented to Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland. As he made the presentation, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II remarked that he and Mrs. Robinson shared similar concerning the environment and social justice. In honor of this, a grant was presented to Mrs. Robinson in support of her Mary Robinson Foundation- Climate Justice. The Prince noted that he would be making an official visit to Ireland in 2011 to mark the 50th anniversary of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier’s first official visit to Ireland.
Also in attendance at the Gala were Irish Ambassador to France, HE Paul Kavanagh and his wife, Rosemary. Traditional Irish musicians De Dannan provided entertainment.
Sunday afternoon, guests travelled to the beautiful village of Roquebrune, where there are said to be remains of Irish poet, W.B. Yeats. Celebrating their last afternoon together guests were enjoyed an intimate repeat performance by Frankie Gavin and De Dannan. Mike Fitzgerald, President of The Ireland Fund of Monaco, closed the weekend by thanking everyone for attending the weekend’s celebration in support of the Fund.
The Ireland Fund of Monaco Princess Grace Humanitarian Award
Monaco 11th October, 2010 The Ireland Fund of Monaco announces its fourth biennial Princess Grace Humanitarian Award, presented to Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II, made the presentation at a special gala dinner in the Hotel de Paris, Monaco. The Princess Grace Humanitarian Award is the only one of its kind dedicated to the memory of the late Princess. His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II, is patron of the Ireland Fund of Monaco, and has presented this prestigious award since its inception.
Mrs. Robinson was selected for the award in recognition of her efforts to address not only human rights issues but also and especially her efforts on the issue of the impact of ecological changes on the third world due to the increase of carbon usage, a subject about which His Highness is passionate. Mrs. Robinson has created an organisation in New York, Realizing Rights, whose goal is to put human rights standards at the heart of global governance and policy-making and to ensure that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are addressed on the global stage.
As he announced this year’s recipient, Mr. Michael Fitzgerald, President of The Ireland Fund of Monaco, said, “We are honoured that His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II, presents this important award which is named in honour of his late mother, Princess Grace. She was adored in Ireland and by Irish people everywhere. She promoted compassion and care for people who suffer, and we are very honoured that her family have allowed us to memorialize the late Princess by naming this Award after her.”
“We are very pleased to single out Mrs. Robinson and to call attention to the important work she is doing. Her historic and ongoing contribution to human rights efforts on a global scale has been unique. As a barrister, academic, politician and then as the first elected woman President of Ireland, she was a vocal crusader on behalf of women, homosexuals and minority groups in Ireland. Since then, she became the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Now she is to chair a new non-profit agency in Ireland to foster Irish and international leadership on climate change and sustained development with human rights at the heart of the agenda. In every role, she has been an effective and passionate advocate for those without a voice across the world and we are privileged that she has agreed to be our ‘honouree.’”
The Ireland Fund of Monaco, part of a worldwide philanthropic organization, was established in 1998 in the Principality. The Ireland Funds comprise the leading network of people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland dedicated to raising funds to support programmes of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development for the island of Ireland. With operations in 13 countries, the Ireland Funds have to date raised almost $350 million for over 1,200 non-profit organizations in Ireland.
