The Ireland Funds inaugural Flagship Awardee Dinner took place in the wonderful surroundings of the Little Museum of Dublin, St Stephen’s Green on Monday 12 November.
The event marked the announcement of Flagship funding totalling €465,000 over two years for six wonderful organisations: the Abbey Theatre, Children in Crossfire, CyberSafeIreland, Dogs for the Disabled, Sensational Kids and the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
The Ireland Funds Chairman, Alan Foy, welcomed the 60 guests and members from each Flagship organisation. He spoke about the importance of the work of The Ireland Funds and thanked its Corporate Partners and Board Directors for their dedication and involvement, particularly Caroline Kennedy and Shaun Murphy who sat on the judging panel during the Flagship finale presentation day in September.
Caitriona Fottrell, Director Ireland, thanked guests for their continued support before describing the wonderful work undertaken by each organisation during the competitive selection process, where 283 applications were whittled down to six Flagship Awardees. Throughout the course of the evening, Caitriona introduced each organisation and invited a representative to speak about the importance and impact of their work.
Guests included Ireland Funds Board Directors: Jim Barry, Alan Foy, Tommy Gallagher, Caroline Kennedy, Brendan McDonagh, Shaun Murphy, Mary McAleese, Gary McGann, Trevor Ringland, Peter Rooney and Gerard Ryan. Also in attendance were The Ireland Funds America Chairman, John Fitzpatrick; Chairman Emeritus, Loretta Brennan Glucksman; Chair of The Ireland Funds Great Britain, Rory Godson; Paul Carroll of Cpl; and members of the Young Leaders Dublin and Belfast steering committees.
Photo credit: Neil Harrison