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03 Oct 2025

Best of Irish - Quartet of 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award winners announced

Former Lord Mayor of London, a rockstar, and two Sydney restaurant owners named as prestigious award winners

Best of Irish - Quartet of 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award winners announced

Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night has been named as a winner of the Tip O'Neill Irish Diaspora Awards

Recipients of the 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards, all of whom have Donegal heritage, have been described as “the very best of what it means to be Irish.”

This year's awardees, Vincent Keaveny, Danny Hutton, Eileen Mulligan, and Seán Donaghey, were announced by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal Council, Cllr Paul Canning.

The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards commemorate the legacy of the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Tip O’Neill, whose grandparents hailed from Donegal. The event continues to serve as a bridge between Ireland and its global community, reinforcing the bonds of kinship, culture, and shared values.

This year’s winners will be presented with their awards at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana, on October 17. 

Cllr Canning said: “This year’s awardees reflect the very best of what it means to be Irish. Whether through civic leadership, cultural pride, or international achievement, each of them carries our country’s spirit with pride and purpose.

“It is a particular honour to see individuals with such strong Donegal roots being recognised on the global stage, and we look forward to welcoming them home to Buncrana for this very special occasion.”

Chair of the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award Committee, Nicholas Crossan, commented: “The Tip O’Neill Awards continue to grow in stature, and this year is no exception. 

“We are absolutely delighted to honour recipients whose international achievements have brought pride to Donegal while maintaining strong ties to their roots. 

“Their return to the 2025 ceremony makes this year’s celebrations especially meaningful.”

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Award-winner, Vincent Keaveny, a Dublin man with Donegal connections, made history as the first Irish-born Lord Mayor of the City of London in 2021-22. He stated: “As the son of a Donegal man, and the first Irish citizen to serve in the historic office of Lord Mayor of London, I am delighted to receive the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award this year. 

“The Award connects a part of the world that is very important to me and my family with the work I have been doing in London in recent years as a member of the diaspora community. It is wonderful to be back in Donegal to receive this special recognition.”

Buncrana-born Danny Hutton is best known as a founding member and lead vocalist of the American rock band, Three Dog Night, which achieved significant success in the 1960s and 1970s. 

He said: “Having been born in County Donegal, I have always cherished my Irish heritage and believe that the inherent Irish traits of resilience, storytelling and creativity have in part driven my success as a musician, performer and record producer.

“It is particularly thrilling to be the first music artist to be included among the many Irish business, political, and sports figures that have been honoured with the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award.

“I look forward to returning to my hometown of Buncrana in October to celebrate receiving this very special award.”

Eileen Mulligan, of Rashenny, and Seán Donaghey, of Cockhill, have both spent the past 34 years in Sydney, where they’ve become beloved pillars of the Irish community. Through their award-winning restaurant, Mulligans, they offered not just food but belonging, supporting generations of emigrants, promoting Irish culture, and raising huge amounts of money for charitable causes across Ireland and Australia. 

They stated: “We are truly honoured to be nominated for the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards and are absolutely thrilled to be returning home to Donegal this October. 

“To be recognised in the place where our journey began means more than words can say.”

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