# Leading Irish philanthropist identified

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/03/08/leading-irish-philanthropist-identified/
- Published: 2011-03-08T09:33:02+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Irish newspaper the Sunday Independent has identified the person it claims is “the
foremost Irish philanthropist” – Declan Ryan, who last week made a €10 million donation
to build schools in Sri Lanka.

The [newspaper claims](http://www.independent.ie/national-news/ryans-prove-irelands-foremost-philanthropists-with-euro10m-gift-2567693.html)
that Declan Ryan, 47, also donated at least €27 million up to early 2009.

Ryan is the son of Ryanair founder Dr Tony Ryan. His late brother Cathal was also
a philanthropist and before he died arranged his affairs to continue giving along
with his brother. He left €250 million to family and friends in his will as well
as around €35 million to charity.

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The €10 million donation to Sri Linka, with which the Ryans have a family connection,
was given via UNICEF. It was announced at the ‘Partnering with the Philanthropic
Community to Promote Education For All’ event at the General Assembly Hall in the
United Nations.

Ryan runs The One Foundation, named after the U2 song One, which has given millions
of euros to charities in Ireland and overseas. In Ireland it mainly supports Barnardos,
Children’s Rights Alliance and Longford Women’s Link.

www.onefoundation.ie

 * **[Dame Vivien Duffield gives £8.2 million to 11 cultural organisations in England](https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/03/24/dame-vivien-duffield-gives-82m-11-cultural-organisations-england/)**(
   24 March 2011)
 * **[Businessman makes £1 million donation to University of Ulster](https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/04/03/businessman-makes-1m-donation-university-ulster/)**(
   3 April 2011)
 * **[Lesley Hynes sets up major donor and strategic fundraising consultancy](https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/04/04/lesley-hynes-sets-major-donor-and-strategic-fundraising-consultancy/)**(
   4 April 2011)