Bringing the leading transatlantic educational charity’s year-to-date grant disbursement to $1.2 million, the Partnership celebrates impact at reception in the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence 

DUBLIN, Ireland, September 29, 2022 (PR.com) – The Irish American Partnership (the Partnership) disbursed $500,000 in grants to education and community programs across the island of Ireland during its  biennial leadership mission this week. This round brings the charity’s year-to-date funding for Ireland to  $1.2 million. The awards were announced at a reception to culminate the mission, hosted at the  residence of U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Claire D. Cronin on Wednesday night.  

“We are delighted to spend this week evaluating our program funding and demonstrating the  Partnership’s crucial support and impact on education and community development to our Board  members and wonderful supporters,” said Chief Executive Mary Sugrue, at the reception.  

“We remain committed to supporting young people across the island on their educational journey,  investing in Ireland’s future, to help create the next generation of global leaders.” 

Beneficiary programs supported in this latest tranche of funding include the Peter McVerry Trust, the  Thomas F. Meagher Foundation, Fasttrack Into IT, scholarship and access support at Dublin City  University, Trinity College, University of Limerick, Maynooth University, Technological University Dublin,  University of Galway, Mary Immaculate College, the Royal College of Surgeons, Ulster University, and  Queen’s University Belfast, as well as direct grants to primary schools throughout the island of Ireland. 

These programs were selected for their transformative impact on students, schools, and communities  and their work advancing the Partnership’s priority campaigns: direct grants to schools, university access scholarships, education for homeless youth, as well as integrated education and reconciliation initiatives  in Northern Ireland. 

In 2022, the Partnership’s hallmark O’Neill Direct Grants to Schools Program has so far backed an Outdoor  Play and Learning initiative launched by organization patron and internationally renowned golfer, Pádraig  Harrington, to provide primary schools with resources to promote outdoor play, physical activity and  learning. The organization has also supported schools enrolling Ukrainian children in their classrooms,  donating all proceeds from fundraising events across the U.S. to schools across Ireland who welcomed  refugee children. 

This funding announcement follows the award of $20,000 in grants to four County Clare primary schools  last week, presented by decorated Irish golfer and Partnership ambassador Leona Maguire to mark  Maguire’s participation in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open. Scoil na Maighne Mhuire, Ballycar National  School, Stonehall National School, and Clonmoney National School will use this funding to purchase  much-needed resources. 

Ambassador Claire Cronin commented: “It was my honor to host the delegates from the Irish  American Partnership at Deerfield House. This organisation is doing great work for educational  initiatives on the island of Ireland. This announcement of $500,000 funding will provide essential  support to the next generation of Irish children. The Partnership strengthens the ties between our  two countries.” 

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ABOUT THE IRISH AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP  

Since 1986, the Irish American Partnership has raised over $50 million in support of schools, education  programs, and communities across the island of Ireland. Dedicated to connecting Irish America and  friends of Ireland to their Irish heritage through direct giving, 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, culture,  and more. The Partnership is a dynamic, grassroots organization that is respected and endorsed by  leaders across education, community, and government sectors. More: www.irishap.org.