Bill, Bono and Byrne lead fundraiser

IRELAND’S newly appointed cultural ambassador, actor Gabriel Byrne, joined U2’s Bono and former US president Bill Clinton in New York on Thursday night for the American Ireland Fund 35th Anniversary Gala.

Byrne was appointed as our first cultural ambassador by the Government on St Patrick’s Day. The concept grew in part from recommendations by the Global Irish Economic Forum at Farmleigh last autumn, and is rooted in the connection between culture and the economy.

Thursday’s gala event was attended by 1,300 members of the Irish-American business, political and arts communities. The funds raised surpassed the American Ireland Fund’s target of $2.5 million (€1.967m) – raising more than $3m (€2.36m).

Proceeds from the gala will benefit a range of projects across the country as well as in the US. Among the beneficiaries will be the Music Network in Ireland, a nationwide musical and vocal tuition programme for young people. Established with a $10m U2/Ireland Funds partnership grant, which includes a $7m commitment from the band, the project will receive a further $500,000 from this week’s fundraiser.

Also committed on the night was a $200,000 investment in the Forgotten Irish campaign in New York’s boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx to support isolated and impoverished elderly Irish-American emigrants.

At the event Bono said, “One of the big disappointments of my young life was when the piano was taken from my grandmother’s house.

“Luckily for me, I went on to a school with a strong music facility. As a band we believe music tuition should be available to anyone who wants it.”

He added; “It greatly benefits the individual, which in turn benefits the country. We hope the National Music Tuition Programme will inspire Ireland’s young musicians, who might not otherwise get access to such valuable teaching.”

Also addressing the gala was president of the Worldwide Ireland Funds, Kieran McLoughlin.

He said: “There may be a downturn in the economies of our two countries but there’s no downturn in the generosity of Irish Americans.

“You understand that philanthropic investment strengthens communities not just economies.

“You understand that the ultimate triumph over those who seek to wreck our communities, whether in Times Square or Belfast, is reaching out to marginalised people through persistent investment in peace and reconciliation.”