# Ireland Funds gala raises $3 million

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/05/10/ireland-funds-gala-raises-3-million-2/
- Published: 2018-05-10T12:05:45+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Over 1,000 guests from the spheres of business, the arts and politics came together
last week in New York to support the largest of the 150 global fundraising events
held each year by The Ireland Funds.**

Held annually in May, the Gala is now one of the key social events on the New York
calendar and this year grossed $3 million. Over the course of its 43-year history,
the event has raised over $60 million in support of hundreds of Irish charities 
and causes.

Golden Globe-winning actor Colin Farrell was recognised by The Ireland Funds with
its Performing Arts Award in recognition of his work as an ambassador of Irish culture
throughout his extensive film career. He has also created awareness of the work 
of charitable causes such as the Special Olympics, Fighting Words, Crumlin Children’s
Hospital, and BeLonG To Youth Services.

## Advertisement

> Check it out: more photos, more video, more Colin Farrell, more coverage of The
> Ireland Funds New York Gala! Enjoy! Visit [https://t.co/RZ1cevTiSt](https://t.co/RZ1cevTiSt)
> [#IFNYGala](https://x.com/hashtag/IFNYGala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#philanthropy](https://x.com/hashtag/philanthropy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [#Ireland](https://x.com/hashtag/Ireland?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/duyBWmMcqj](https://t.co/duyBWmMcqj)
> — IrelandFundsAmerica (@IrelandFundsAM) [May 9, 2018](https://x.com/IrelandFundsAM/status/994212924234354688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

  “Tonight’s Gala exceeded our already ambitious goals,” said Kieran McLoughlin,
Worldwide President & CEO of [The Ireland Funds](http://www.irelandfunds.org). “
Once again our network of donors and friends have come together to raise significant
support for the island of Ireland. This impact will be felt by thousands of people
who benefit from the outstanding nonprofit organizations supported by The Ireland
Funds.”

“Events such as this express the power of philanthropy and for that we are immensely
grateful,” said John Fitzpatrick, Chairman of The Ireland Funds America. “The ties
between the island of Ireland and its diaspora are stronger than ever and that has
truly been demonstrated tonight through our donors’ generosity.”

The gala is supported by a list of top US businesses, mainly in the financial sector
in New York. Corporate tables cost €50,000 while individual tickets are €1,000.

> A wonderful Ireland Funds NY Gala. $3million raised to promote and support peace,
> culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland,
> and Irish-related causes around the world. [#IFNYGala](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFNYGala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [pic.twitter.com/zZtmVCDheq](https://t.co/zZtmVCDheq)
> — Andrea Haughian (@Andrea_Haughian) [May 4, 2018](https://twitter.com/Andrea_Haughian/status/992281275972005888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 [The evening](https://www.instagram.com/p/BiUtpIngsR-/) was co-chaired by Jennifer
Morgan, President of Americas and Asia Pacific, SAP; Kelly Grier, US Chairman and
Americas Managing Partner Elect, EY; and Michael Dowling, President and CEO, Northwell
Health. Notable guests at the 2018 Gala included actor Liam Neeson; Ciarán Madden,
Ireland’s Consul General; Antony Phillipson, British Consul General; Ambassador 
Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland’s Permanent  Representative to the United Nations,
and Heather Humphreys, Ireland’s Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation.