Irish American Partnership: Investing in Ireland’s Future
For the Irish American Partnership, the future of Ireland is all about its youth.
The belief that Ireland’s future is all about its youth was on full display this fall when the Irish American Partnership (IAP) distributed $600,000 in grants to primary schools, universities, and community groups over a three-day Leadership Mission to Ireland. This year, the Partnership focused particularly on rural schools in counties Galway and Mayo. The grants brought the Partnership’s year-to-date funding for Ireland to over $2.5 million.
In addition to targeted grants to primary schools through the O’Neill Schools Grants Program, monies were distributed to Atlantic Technological University Mayo campus in Castlebar, University of Galway, Druid Theatre, and The Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina.
Partnership President and CEO Mary Sugrue said the Leadership trip “allowed us to evaluate our funding and gave us a vital understanding of the great impact giving has on youth and communities across Ireland. We had the chance to meet the young people benefiting directly from Partnership investment, gaining insight into the grassroots efficacy of our work.”
An integral part of the Partnership’s mission is allowing donors to witness firsthand the impact of their donations. Targeted giving at 100 percent efficiency lets donors determine how and where their money goes – most often, grants are directed to schools in the giver’s ancestral counties, provide teachers and students with tangible resources to succeed locally and in the global economy.
Witnessing firsthand their investments at work in Irish classrooms and educational programs inspires donors and enhances their commitment and connection to the Partnership. Since its launch in 1986, the Boston-based non-profit organization has distributed more than $57 million across the island of Ireland. While the Partnership has supported various programs in jobs and investment, peace initiatives, and cultural enrichment, education has emerged as the main appeal for thousands of Irish Americans who contribute yearly to the organization. “In Ireland, education has always been central to many of our ambitions,” says Sugrue. “And at the Partnership, we believe in the power of education to open doors for individuals.”
Sugrue deserves the credit for helping center the Partnership’s focus squarely on education.
The native of Cahersiveen, County Kerry, was a primary school teacher for several years in Ireland before emigrating to Boston in 1989, where she joined the Partnership. When President Joe Leary stepped down and became president emeritus in 2016, Sugrue took over and has spearheaded the organization ever since.
Being Part of Ireland’s Future
Job creation, economic investment, and education were undoubtedly needed when the Partnership began during the 1980s, a tumultuous decade on the island of Ireland. The North was wracked by political turmoil, economic instability, and violence in the streets. The Republic had the highest unemployment rate in Europe, a struggling economy, and rampant emigration by an entire generation of young Irish.
As Irish Americans wondered aloud how they could help, the Partnership put forth the premise that economic development and education would be the most effective way for Americans to help the people of Ireland.
Its original message, “Ireland: It’s Part of your Past – be Part of its Future,” became a direct appeal to Irish Americans who sincerely wanted to help.
The Partnership’s philosophy has since evolved to read, “Honoring Our Heritage – Investing In Ireland’s Future,” says Clodagh Boyle, vice president of external engagement.
U.S. House Speaker and Congressman Thomas P. ‘Tip’ O’Neill of Cambridge, MA was an early supporter of the group, writing, “I am convinced that the Partnership is on the right track. After many years of observing Ireland, I believe that the best and surest way to resolve that country’s problems is to help build a strong, dynamic Irish economy with opportunities for all. I urge you, in the strongest terms, to become a member of the Irish American Partnership.”
A National Network in America
From its headquarters in Boston, the Partnership has cultivated a national profile, receiving donations from all 50 states through ongoing campaigns. In places such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Albany, and Newport, active Partnership committees help to organize networking events, speakers series, and golf tournaments throughout the year.
The Golf Championship Series has been a staple of Partnership fundraising for 35 years, bringing donors together through top-level golf tournaments at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island, Beverly Country Club in Illinois, and Schuyler Meadows Club in New York.
In addition, the Partnership’s Irish Invitational Golf Tournament is a three-day outing at world-renowned golf courses in Ireland. In 2025, the Invitational includes rounds at Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Royal County Down Golf Club, and Ardglass Golf Club, also in County Down.
A popular initiative is the Young Partners Program, which encourages young professionals to connect to modern Ireland and continue the generosity of previous generations. Throughout the year, Young Partners chapters in Boston and New York host social and networking events that bring together like-minded Americans interested in Ireland.
Also popular on the Partnership calendar is the Nollaig na mBan Women’s Leadership Celebration, held each January in Boston, Chicago, and Washington, DC. The inaugural Chicago event in 2024 featured Ireland’s former President Mary Robinson, a seminal figure in Irish leadership and international diplomacy. In 2025, the featured speaker is slated to be U.S. Ambassador Cronin, who recently called the Partnership “an organization that has become very near and dear to my heart since I became U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. The Irish American Partnership’s impact is felt where it is needed.”
Education remains central to its mission as the Irish American Partnership approaches its 40th anniversary in 2026. President Robinson has called education a human right and has spoken enthusiastically about the essential role of preschool, schools, and universities “to give young people the capacity for leadership.” By helping to shape the next generation of Irish leaders, the Irish American Partnership is investing in Ireland’s future, which will pay dividends for years to come.
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