Welcome to the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award website. There are numerous people of Irish ancestry in the worldwide Diaspora who deserve to be recognised in the Country of their ancestors and this award will acknowledge the achievements of those individuals.
The Award
The Tip O ‘Neill Irish Diaspora Award is presented on an annual basis to a chosen member of the broad Irish Diaspora in recognition of achievements in their chosen field and their interest in, and support for Ireland and its Diaspora.
Tip O’Neill
The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award was initiated in 2012 which was the centenary of the birth of Thomas P. Tip O’Neill. Tip O’Neill whose maternal grandparents hailed from Donegal (Buncrana and Clonmany) was an American Politician and Statesman who served as Speaker of the US House of Representatives from 1977 until 1987. Tip O’Neill was one of the most promiment US Politications of his era with many notable achievements at home and abroad. In an Irish context he was central to the initiation of the Northern Ireland Peace Process and did much to advance the socio economic regeneration of Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of the Republic through initiatives such as the International Fund for Ireland.
Donegal Diaspora Project
The Donegal Diaspora Project is working to promote and engage Donegal’s global community. The Project links people from all parts of the world to Donegal and to each-other, creating networks of mutual interest and benefit.
Donegal
Donegal promises wild landscapes blanketed in bog and heather, isolated white sandy beaches and a roughly hewn coastline. And when all of the cobwebs have been blown away, thriving little towns with cosy pubs, excellent seafood and a friendly welcome await.
74 entries for this year’s Tip O’Neill Schools Competition
With the final touches being put into place for this year’s Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award ceremony, the painstaking job of adjudicating the 74 entries received for this year’s Schools Competition is also well underway. [...]
Chris Matthews to receive Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award next week
With the US Presidential campaign in full swing, well known political commentator Chris Matthews is taking time out from his busy TV schedule next week to make a special visit to Donegal where he will [...]
Hardball’s Chris Matthews to receive Tip O’Neill Award 2016
The recipient of the 2016 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award will be American political commentator, talk show host, and author Chris Matthews. The announcement was made at a special reception which was held in [...]
2015 Award Recipient has been Selected
Loretta Brennan Glucksman US philanthropist Loretta Brennan Glucksman has been named the recipient of the annual Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award for 2015. The announcement was made at a special reception which was held in [...]
Tip O’Neill Diaspora Award 2014
On 12th September 2014, Senator Therese Murray President of the Massachusetts Senate received the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora award from the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. In a touching ceremony on Friday September 12th, [...]
2013 Tip O’Neill Event a Great Success
On Friday, 20th September 2013, the second Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award was awarded to the former Governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer. Upon receiving the award from Minister of State Dinny McGinley TD, Governor Schweitzer [...]