b'In1976 , DanRooney, ownerofthePittsburghSteelers footballteamandtheformerU.S. AmbassadortoIreland,alongwith fellow Pittsburgh-based businessman Sir Anthony OReilly, created what was then The Ireland Fund. The Ireland Fund andtheAmericanIrishFoundation, foundedbyIrishPresidentEamonn DeValeraandU.S.PresidentJohnF. Kennedy,mergedataWhiteHouse ceremony on St. Patricks Day 1987, to form what is today, The Ireland Funds America. The Ireland Funds is a global philanthropic network established in 1976 to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland, and Irish-related causes around the world. With chapters in 12 countries, The Ireland Funds has raised over $600 million for deserving causes in Ireland and beyond, benefiting more than over 3200 different organizations.'