# Irish billionaire increases donations by €2 million - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/05/23/irish-billionaire-increases-donations-e2-million/ - Published: 2016-05-23T12:27:25+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake **Businessman Denis O’Brien’s charitable foundation in Ireland increased its donations last year by nearly €2 million, according to the charity’s latest accounts.** The Iris O’Brien Foundation distributed €4.5 million in 2015, against €2.6 million in 2014. Total donations to the Foundation, thought to be solely from Mr O’Brien, were €4.4 million last year and [€2.7 million in 2014](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/04/13/denis-obrien-gave-e2-7m-last-year/). O’Brien established the [Iris O’Brien Foundation](http://www.solocheck.ie/Irish-Company/The-Iris-Obrien-Foundation-Limited-328929) in 2000 to identify and assist projects in Ireland and internationally which aim to alleviate disadvantaged communities. According to the most recent Sunday Times Rich List, Mr O’Brien is worth £3.7 billion (€4.7 billion). ## Advertisement Last year’s Foundation giving was split between domestic and overseas giving, with each activity receiving €2.4 million and €2 million respectively. In 2014 Mr O’Brien gave Philanthropy Ireland a gift of €250,000 which is listed as Bellane DOB in Philanthropy Ireland’s accounts. The accounts note that around €2 million is being expended to provide ongoing support to a number of projects. Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has been supported by the Foundation since its inception. The Foundation, which is based at Mr O’Brien’s Communicorp Group headquarters in Dublin, spent €3,700 on management and administration in 2015. * **[Local Citizens Advice services receive £625,000 from Martin Lewis Fund](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/03/20/local-citizens-advice-services-receive-625000-martin-lewis-fund/)**( 20 March 2017) * **[Stop trying to find great fundraisers – and grow your own](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/11/06/stop-trying-find-great-fundraisers-grow/)**( 6 November 2017) * **[Industrialist makes largest ever Irish philanthropic donation](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/06/30/industrialist-makes-largest-ever-irish-philanthropic-donation/)**( 30 June 2018) ![Loading](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/page-views-count/ajax-loader- 2x.gif)