On Thursday, 20 October, 2022, The Ireland Funds Women in Business and Philanthropy Lunch took place in the Garden Room at The Merrion and was attended by a capacity crowd of women representing the business and philanthropy sectors.
Executive Director, Siobhán Gallagher, welcomed guests, commenting that “today we celebrate women in philanthropy so, today, we celebrate everyone in this room.” She thanked everyone for their support and gave an overview of The Ireland Funds work including the recent launch of the Heart of the Community Fund 2022, an open call grant round designed to support organisations providing key services across the island of Ireland, and highlighted two outstanding organisations The Ireland Funds supports for their important work in the non-profit sector: Women for Election, an organisation that inspires, equips and supports women to succeed in Irish Politics, and Safe Ireland, whose mission is to end domestic violence and make Ireland the safest country in the world for women and children.
After lunch, guests enjoyed a fascinating fireside chat between guest of honour, Former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, and journalist, writer and current affairs presenter, Olivia O’Leary. Ms Robinson discussed leadership, the role of women in Irish society today, our responsibility to address the climate crisis, and the importance of philanthropy due to its flexibility to go where it needs to.
The event was co-chaired once again by Louise Kennedy and The Ireland Funds Board Directors, Caroline Kennedy and Emer Gilvarry.
Photos: Mark Stedman
