From those humble beginnings the Shamrock Shootout has continued for 25 years and generated over $1,500,000 in donations to its many beneficiaries including Safer Dallas, Housing Crises Center, Autism for Ireland, and many more. One Irish beneficiary the past 15 years has been the Cranmore Integrated school located in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. Prior to the support from the Shamrock Shootout, Integrated schools were little known in America. The Ireland Funds and many of its donors subsequently became great supporters of the Integrated Education movement which in the early days was focused on bringing Catholic and Protestant children together. Kevin has visited the school many times and his son Conor, a Young Leader, visited the school in 2018 to present a donation. Through the individual support of Kevin Curley and the Shamrock Shootout, the Cranmore School build a Sensory Room for children on the autism spectrum. That was then complemented by the construction of a preschool facility named in honor of Kevin Curley and his family. The focus of the Shamrock Shootout has always been to both fundraise and fun raise. Many of the golf- ers have known each other for over 30 years. A number of the Shamrock golfers have taken the time to travel to Belfast and visit the Cranmore School. Thus a wonder- ful long distance and long lasting relationship between Dallas and Belfast was established. Baroness Blood, a member of the House of Lords attended a dinner in her honor at the Curley estate to honor her long-standing support for Integrated Education. The Shootout has been supported many of the leaders of the Dallas Irish community including Frank Dunigan, Dan O’Neal, Mike Buckley, Mike Corboy, Randy Greene, John and Joe Padian, Greg Boots, and Jim Sheets. Another beneficiary was Safer Dallas, an organiza- tion that benefits the Dallas Police Department. Kevin’s father is a retired member of the NYPD and support- ing the Dallas Police Department was natural fit for the Shamrock Shootout For Kevin it was a true family and friends affair. His dad Tom attended almost every Shamrock Shootout and son Conor managed the Shamrock Shootout pub, a cross roads pop up bar with food and drinks located right on the street leading into the golf course. After 25 years the Shamrock Shootout is merging with The Ireland Funds Texas Irish American Golf In- vitational. Kevin believes strongly in The Ireland Funds mission to support worthy charities on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and looks forward to continuing the cause. As Kevin reflects on the past 25 years one quote from his Latin class stands out, Non Vox Sed Votum, “not words but deeds”, says Kevin. “We started the Shamrock Shootout with the goal to provide concrete and substantial financial assistance to many deserving charities in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the USA, after 25 years we consider it mission accomplished.” Kevin Curley (center) visits Cranmore Integrated Primary School. Just one of the many organizations that has benefitted over the years from the Shamrock Shootout The Shamrock Shootout – 25 Years of Giving Back to Ireland and Beyond ThankYou Thank you, Kevin Curley Ireland Benefits from 25 Years of the Shamrock Shootout Twenty five years ago the Shamrock Shootout Golf Invitational was founded by Kevin Curley (an Ireland Funds America Board member) to support the Downtown Dallas St Patrick’s Parade and its beneficiary the Ronald McDonald House. No suitable venue was available for the after party, so honoree John Gary, a former television host and Grammy nominee, along with famous actor Dale Roberson, entertained the golfers in the golf cart barn! The Ireland Funds GOLF connect 2019 • 64