Killarney:  One hundred and eighty Irish and international donors are gathering in Killarney, County Kerry, for the 30th worldwide Ireland Funds annual conference.
 
On Thursday journalist and BBC Foreign Correspondent Fergal Keane, a nephew of the late John B Keane, will receive the $25,000, the Ireland Funds Annual Literary Award. This is being presented by Olivia O’Leary.

The conference will  be addressed by An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny at a gala dinner on Friday night in the Europe Hotel.
 
The  attendance will include  be co-founder of the Funds, Dan Rooney; US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O’Malley; Canadian Ambassador, Kevin Vickers; Chairman of the American Ireland Funds, John Fitzpatrick and former Chairwoman, Loretta Brennan Glucksman. The Chieftains will be performing after dinner.
 
Operating in 12 countries, The Funds have raised more than $500 million since its  foundation benefiting some 3,000 Irish charities.