b'DAY TWO THURSDAY 6Thursday morning brought delegates together at The Europe Hotel,Little Museum of Dublin. Interactive presentations ranging from which served as the hub of the 2015 Conference. Lunch was served as allthe crafting of creative writing with Fighting Words to a musical180 delegates listened to John Fitzpatrick, Chairman of The Americanperformanceby40+youngpeoplefromMusicGeneration,Ireland Fund, officially open the Conference. He expressed his thankscaptivated the donors and provided an up-front chance to speak to the to supporters extraordinary generosity and all they were accomplish- organizations that had benefitted from their generosity.ing for Irish charities through the Promising Ireland Campaign. Thursday evening, guests travelled to Muckross House, the USAmbassadortoIrelandKevinOMalleythenwelcomedchildhoodhomeofIrelandFundsfounderAWBVincent.Thethosegathered.Hespokeaboutthesharedeconomicenginestunning space which was gifted to the Irish State and is now en-between the US and Ireland and the important role The Irelandjoyed by the public and stands as one of Irelands most beautiful Fundsplay.AmbassadorOMalleyalsoacknowledgedtheIrish homes.Guests made their way to a marquee just outside the house student tragedy in Berkeley that had taken the lives of six students on and the evening proceeded with reflections by both Chairman John J-1 visas who had been working in the US. He thanked the Board ofFitzpatrick and President & CEO Kieran McLoughlin on the impor-Directors of The American Ireland Fund that had approved a $100,000tance of AWB Vincent, or Billy as he was affectionately known, to grant the night before to assist the Irish Immigration Pastoral CenterIreland, to The Ireland Funds, and to so many people gathered that in San Francisco in its immediate and ongoing work with the studentsevening at Muckross House. families and friends.The evenings highlight was the awarding of the 2015 Ameri-Kieran McLoughlin then introduced MchelMuircheartaigh,can Ireland Fund AWB Vincent Literary Award to BBC Foreigna national Gaelic Athletic Association hero who is known as theCorrespondent Fergal Keane. The award was presented by renowned voice of the GAA. He spoke movingly of the work and impact of The journalist Olivia OLeary. Olivia praised Fergals ability to help view-Ireland Funds and reminded those gathered that they were present forers see the real story through his documentaries and news reporting. far more than an ordinary conference, they were present for a comingShe characterized him as a journalist who has never been afraid to together of care.think with his heart as well as his head. Finally, Director Ireland Caitriona Fottrell provided an overviewFergal Keane accepted the prestigious award, and its $25,000 of the days activities to delegates before they broke into groups to hearprize, by thanking those gathered for the work they supported in some from a selection of the over 800 organizations assisted by The Irelandof the places of conflict he has reported from. In particular, he noted Funds Promising Ireland Campaign.that the true heroes of the Northern Ireland conflict had been those Representatives from eight organizations, all of who had re- who stayed during the greatest days of pain. He stated that without ceived Flagship Grants from The Ireland Funds, eagerly met withthe work of The Ireland Funds, much of the talk of peace in Northern the delegates and donors. Over the course of the afternoon delegatesIreland, would be hollow. Fergal expressed his wish that there were had the opportunity to learn more about Music Generation, Forige more models of The Ireland Funds in other places of conflict that Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Fighting Words, Womencould emulate the key work done in the name of peace.for Election, National College of Irelands Parent Child Home Pro-gramme, Playhouse Derry, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and the 7connect2015 | 52'