| The Ireland Funds |
Article Index for The |
Website Links For Ireland |
Information AboutThe Ireland Funds |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT THE IRELAND FUNDS | |
| irish culture | |
| ireland funds, the | |
| non-profit organizations | |
| john f. kennedy | |
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HISTORY During his visit to Ireland in 1963 , United States President John F. Kennedy joined with Irish President Eamon De Valera to form ''The American Irish Foundation''. The mission of this organization was to foster connections between Americans Of Irish Descent and the country of their ancestry. In 1976 , Dr. Anthony J.F. O'Reilly (Sir Tony O'Reilly ), former CEO of H.J. Heinz Co. (as well as a former Ireland Rugby player), created ''The Ireland Fund'' with friend and fellow Pittsburgh businessman Dan Rooney , owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers Football team. With a trinity of goals--Peace, Culture and Charity--The Ireland Fund appealed for support for Ireland and its people from all Americans, and especially those of Irish descent. Over the following decade, The Ireland Fund formed a thriving fundraising network of chapters in additional cities across the United States including Boston , Chicago , Palm Beach , New York , Houston , Dallas , Denver , San Francisco , San Diego , Philadelphia , Providence , New Jersey and Washington D.C. On St. Patrick's Day 1987, The Ireland Fund and the American Irish Foundation merged at a White House ceremony to form The American Ireland Fund and to become the world's largest private organization funding constructive change in Ireland, both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic Of Ireland . EXTERNAL LINKS |
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