DUBLIN AROUND THE WORLD October, 2017 The Dublin Young Leaders held a Leader- ship Series lecture with Tommy Breen, kindly hosted by Davy Stockbrokers. Tommy Breen was the former CEO of DCC plc and is also a Non-Executive Director of Essentra plc, a UK headquartered FTSE 250 company. Tommy spoke of DCC’s pride in being an ongoing sponsor of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, an Ireland Funds Flagship Grantee and how important that partnership was. He also spoke about his love of entre- preneurship and how he hoped to become more involved with helping young entrepreneurs in the coming years. The Young Leaders gained a huge amount of insight into DCC’s culture, and corporate culture within such a successful international company. December, 2017 Christmas festivities kicked off at a Reception in the newly refurbished Regent House, Trinity College Dublin. Guests arrived to the sounds of Music Generation harpists from Co. Laois. The young players had received tuition in both classical and Irish harp through Music Generation’s music education program, which is proudly supported by The Ireland Funds. Guests heard from Caitriona Fottrell, Director Ireland, who announced the 2017 Ireland Funds Flagship Grantees: Blossom Ireland, Integrated Education Fund, Irish Film Institute, Irish Men’s Sheds Association and Speedpak Group. She spoke about the impact the Flagship grantees were having across a range of sectors throughout the island of Ireland. Caitriona then introduced Aoibheann O’Brien, Co-founder and CEO of FoodCloud Hubs. Aoibheann spoke warmly about how receiving The Ireland Funds Flagship Grant in 2016 impacted their organi- zation and allowed it to grow and expand vital services by 30% in just one year. Siobhán Gallagher, Director of Young Leaders, gave special thanks to the Young Leaders for their continued commitment and hard work across the global network of friends. A special thank you to event partner, Eversheds Sutherland. The Ireland Funds Leadership Series with Tommy Breen The Ireland Funds Annual Christmas Reception 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 Tommy Breen addresses the Dublin Young Leaders 2 Caitriona Fottrell, Tommy Breen, Darren Ryan 3 Tommy Breen, Caitriona Fottrell, Darren Ryan 1 Music Generation 2 Brian Martin, Mairead O’Brien, Jolene Quinn 3 Aoibheann O’Brien Photos: Dee Organ connect 2018 • 83