Ireland Funds Reports US$7M Grants for First Half 2010 at Largest Ever Summit of Diaspora Network Leaders in Dublin

Acclaimed novelist Colm Toibin wins 38th annual AIF literary award

DUBLIN, June 20, 2010 - At the largest ever annual meeting of the worldwide Ireland Funds in
Dublin, the Irish Diaspora's philanthropy network reported that its
charitable donations for the first half of 2010 would reach US$7 million in
grants and gifts to arts, social and community organizations across the
island.

Convened at the Irish state guest house, Farmleigh, the Ireland Funds
summit of 270 philanthropists from diverse parts of the globe - including the
US, the UK, Canada, France, and China - was the culmination of a 4-day
program that included a visit to projects in Belfast. Guest of honor at this
year's summit was Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin.

A unique feature of the Dublin summit was the inaugural Young Leaders'
Diaspora Conference which brought together 130 emerging young leaders from
the US and Ireland with backgrounds in business, academia and the arts. The
conference focused on new strategies to grow the philanthropy network among
the next generation of leaders within the worldwide Diaspora.

At a post-summit gala dinner in the National Gallery of Ireland, attended
by Nobel laureate and poet, Seamus Heaney, the internationally acclaimed
Irish novelist and critic, Colm Toibin, received the 38th annual American
Ireland Fund (AIF) Literary Award. Mr. Toibin was presented with the award,
including a bursary of US$25,000, by AIF chairman, Loretta Brennan Glucksman.
Previous recipients include Mr. Heaney as well as novelists Edna O'Brien and
William Trevor, and poet Brendan Kennelly.

Ireland Funds worldwide president and CEO, Kieran McLoughlin, said "This
groundswell of pragmatic patriotism among Ireland's Diaspora has enabled the
Ireland Funds to deliver for projects across the island of Ireland against a
relentlessly challenging economic and philanthropic environment. There is no
doubt that this wonderful rally in support for Ireland, at a time of great
need North and South, is down to the hardwire connectivity the worldwide
network enjoys with our country."

Mr. McLoughlin continued: "It gives the Ireland Funds greater confidence
than ever that we will be able to continue the vital work of connecting
willing donors with deserving causes right through the end of 2010. And it
underscores the importance that the worldwide network offers to Ireland's
economic development as well as social solidarity, as identified by the Irish
Government at the Global Economic Forum at Farmleigh last year. If there is
evidence of a silver lining in the cloud that hangs over the economy of the
island right now, then the Diaspora is its brightest spot."

Over the past 35 years, The American Ireland Fund has raised more than
US$300 million to advance the work of more than 1,200 organizations that
counter sectarianism, preserve Irish culture, strengthen community
development and assist those in need in Ireland, as well as the UK and US.
Today, the Ireland Funds has a presence in twelve countries and hosts over
100 events per year attended by over 40,000 people.

Niall O'Muilleoir, +1-646-322-2460, for Ireland Funds