Social Scene: The Ireland Funds Raises Over $1.5 Million at D.C. National Gala

Attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, the Gala celebrated the 50^th Anniversary of The Ireland Funds

The Ireland Funds, a global philanthropic network which supports the work of hundreds of nonprofit organizations each year across the island of Ireland, has hosted its 34th National Gala at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. In its most successful Washington D.C. gala to date, over $ 1.5 million was raised in support of The Ireland Funds’ work across Ireland.

The event celebrates the deep ties, heritage and friendship between the island of Ireland and the United States. 2026 marks the 50^th anniversary of The Ireland Funds since its founding in 1976.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD. who served as the Honorary Patron of the event, addressed those gathered as part of his St. Patrick’s Day visit to the United States. The Honorable Katherine M. Clark, Democratic Whip, U.S. House of Representatives and The Honorable Sean P. Duffy, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, both with ancestry tracing back to Ireland, were the 2026 Honorees and were recognised for their commitment to public service.

The Ireland Funds National Gala generates support for the work of The Ireland Funds as the organisation is one of the largest private grant makers to the non-profit sector across the island of Ireland. In 2025, The Ireland Funds had its most successful year ever providing grants totalling more than $58.5 million to over 380 not-for-profit organisations.

For 34 years, the National Gala has recognized and honored Presidents, Prime Ministers, artists, humanitarians, and leaders in government, business, and philanthropy. The Honorary Chairs of the 2026 event were H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the U.S.; H.E. Edward Sharp Walsh, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland; H.E. Dr. Christian Turner CM, British Ambassador to the U.S.; and Richard Cushnie, Director, Northern Ireland Bureau.

“The shared love and deep affinity between the United States and the island of Ireland have always been a focus of this National Gala and indeed at the roots of The Ireland Funds itself,” said Caitriona Fottrell, President & CEO of The Ireland Funds. “As we celebrate 50 years of carrying out our mission, we take pride in the positive outcomes we have delivered. Mobilising the collective strength of our generous donors and the dedicated nonprofit partners we support, has been a catalyst for extraordinary change for the island of Ireland.”

Guests of note included Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hillary Benn MP, Former Taoiseach of Ireland Enda Kenny, Former Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) of Ireland Simon Coveney, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Patrick Collison (Co-founder & CEO of Stripe), John Murphy (President & CFO, The Coca-Cola Company), Aengus Kelly (CEO, AerCap), Ruth Cotter (CAO, AMD), Laura Modi (Co-founder & CEO, Bobbie), Anita Sands (Vice Chair & Head of Growth, General Catalyst), CBS News’ Margaret Brennan, Kerry Kennedy (President, Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center), Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Congressman John W. Mannion, Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky, Congressman Mike Collins, Congressman Riley M. Moore, Congressman Jefferson Shreve, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald, Congressman Timothy M. Kennedy, Congressman Bill Huizenga, Congressman Mike Kelly, Congressman Richie Neal, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Congressman Gabe Amo, Congressman David Joyce, Senator Ed Markey, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Jay Obernolte, Congresswoman Susie Lee, Congressman Mike Lawler, Congressman Kevin Hern, Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, Congresswoman Val Hoyle, Congressman Neal P. Dunn.

See photos from the event below. Photos by Tony Powell.

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