US billionaire’s lesson in generosity for Ireland’s super-rich tax misers

WHAT must the super-rich in Ireland make of Chuck Feeney? The American billionaire has put it up to them by giving away more than €1 billion to support worthy causes in this country and he wasn’t even born here.

Worse, the 75-year-old has broken the habit of a lifetime by allowing others recently to publicise his actions, making people aware not just of his generosity but raising serious questions as to who has done even close to the same.

A fascinating biography — with which he co-operated fully — has been written by Conor O’Clery and deservedly is selling well. Now Feeney’s Irish publicist has let it be known that Atlantic Philanthropies — the cover name for his personally funded venture — donated about €45 million last year to selected ventures and intends to spend about €100m over the next year before the money runs out.