Dublin, October 21, 2026 — In 1986, Paddy Harte TD had an idea: turn the goodwill of successful Irish  Americans into lasting investment in Ireland. With a grant of £50,000 from the Government, a group of  Irish educators, officials, business leaders and politicians from North and South founded the Irish  American Partnership. The grant was approved by the Government of Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, who  endorsed the work of the Partnership from its inception. 

The Partnership's early backers were among the most influential figures in Irish America. Philanthropist  Chuck Feeney provided funding to sustain its first years of operation, and former Speaker of the U.S.  House of Representatives Tip O'Neill became its spokesman in 1990. 

Last night, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD joined the Partnership at the RDS to mark the journey and the  impact: over $68 million raised for more than 750 schools, universities and community organisations  across the island. 

The evening was hosted by Cork-born journalist and media executive Samantha Barry, the former Global  Editorial Director of Glamour, who last week helped showcase Ireland to millions of American viewers on  NBC's TODAY show. From Ballincollig to the top of New York media, Barry acts as an ambassador for the  

Partnership, and embodies the modern Irish success story in which the organisation has spent four  decades investing. 

Speaking at the 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner, the Taoiseach said: "For the past four decades, the Irish  American Partnership has made an incredible contribution to Ireland’s education and community sectors.  Its remarkable contribution is a powerful testament to the enduring generosity of Irish America and its  commitment to young people across our island. The Government was proud to support the Irish  American Partnership from the outset, and we look forward to seeing their incredible work continue for  years to come.” 

Forty years on, the Partnership's model remains deliberately direct: 100% of funds raised go to education  and community programmes for young people. Its grants have put literacy and science resources into  primary schools, funded university access scholarships for students from disadvantaged areas, and, for  more than thirty years, it has supported integrated education in Northern Ireland, where Catholic and  Protestant children learn side by side. 

Martin J. Walsh, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and 54th Mayor of Boston, also spoke, reflecting on Irish  America’s enduring commitment to Ireland and the cultural ties that bind the two nations. 

Guests included U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh, former U.S. Ambassador Claire D. Cronin,  former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former Tánaiste Dick Spring, and early directors of the Partnership in  Ireland, Padraic White (IDA) and Dr. Ed Walsh (University of Limerick). 

Mary Sugrue, President & CEO of the Irish American Partnership, said: "In 1986, the State awarded us  £50,000 and a vote of confidence. Forty years on, we hope we have repaid that faith a thousand times  over, in classrooms across this island. And as the next generation of Irish in America remain as connected  to their heritage today, we look forward to creating further impact for the next forty years and beyond.” 

The Gala capped a four-day Leadership Mission, during which Irish American business and civic leaders  distributed annual funding to schools, universities and programmes in Dublin and Belfast, with a total of  $3.5 million in grants being disbursed in 2026.  

About the Irish American Partnership 

Dedicated to connecting Irish America and friends of Ireland to their heritage through targeted giving – the Partnership invests in education, community development, and peace initiatives across the island of  Ireland. Since 1986, supporters have raised more than $68 million for young people and communities,  North and South, empowering and educating the next generation of global leaders.  

The Partnership provides targeted grants to schools, provides university access scholarships, funds  education centers for homeless youth, supports peace and reconciliation initiatives in Northern Ireland,  and champions Gaelic games, Irish arts and culture, and more. A dynamic, grassroots organization, the  Partnership is endorsed by leaders across education, community, and government sectors. Learn more at: www.irishap.org