The Irish American Partnership delegation and friends at St. Muredach's College, Ballina.

Irish American Partnership donates $600,000 in educational grants throughout Galway and Mayo

The Irish American Partnership disbursed $600,000 in grants to educational initiatives and community programmes across Ireland during its biennial leadership mission last week, bringing the charity’s year to date funding for Ireland to $2.5 million.

These awards were announced on October 2 last at a reception celebrating the culmination of the three-day trip, with the United States Ambassador to Ireland, Claire D. Cronin, in attendance.

“The Irish American Partnership is an organization that has become very near and dear to my heart since I became US Ambassador to Ireland,” said Ambassador Cronin. “This organization's impact is felt in the places where it is needed.”

She continued: “We are all connected, and through the relationships made by the Irish American Partnership good things are being done on the island of Ireland.”

Beneficiary programmes supported in this latest round of funding include access scholarships at Atlantic Technological University, the Activating Social Empathy initiative at the University of Galway, the Western Seaboard Science Project through Dublin City University, the FUEL Young Artist-In-Residence programme at Druid Theatre, Galway, and the Mary Robinson Centre, Ballina, as well as targeted grants to resource primary schools through the hallmark O’Neill Direct Grants to Schools programme.

Each of these programmes and institutions were selected for their transformative impact on young people and communities.

ATU president Dr. Orla Lynn was also in attendance, commenting: “It was a privilege for us to have hosted your visit to the Atlantic Technological University Mayo campus in Castlebar.

“As a new and young university, it is part of our mission to enhance the quality of life for everybody in the region, and we thank you for your grant which will go towards scholarships that enhance accessibility.”

President and CEO of the Irish American Partnership, Mary Sugrue, stated: “The board and supporters of the Irish American Partnership are committed to supporting young people on their educational journey, investing in Ireland’s future. We are here this evening to demonstrate our longstanding support of almost 40 years, and to connect this delegation to the grassroots efficacy of our work.”