b'is to harness the power of aglobal philanthropic network of friends of Ireland to promote and support peace, culture,education and communitydevelopment across theisland of Ireland and among Irish communities aroundthe world.In 1976, Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team and the former U.S. Ambassador toIreland,alongwithfellowPittsburgh-basedbusinessmanSirAnthonyOReilly,createdwhatwas then The Ireland Fund. The Ireland Fund and the American Irish Foundation, founded by Irish President Eamonn De Valera and U.S. President John F. Kennedy, merged at a White House ceremony on St. Patricks Day 1987, to form what is today, The Ireland Funds America.'