Eileen and Seán Donaghey honoured as 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award winners

The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards return for 2025 to the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana on Friday, October 17, from 6.30pm.

Our final awardees to be profiled ahead of the 2025 ceremony are Eileen and Seán Donaghey.

Originally from Rashenny, Ballyliffin and Cockhill, Buncrana, Eileen and Seán have spent the past 34 years in Sydney, Australia, where they have become beloved pillars of the Irish community and the embodiment of the very best of Ireland's Global Community.

Through their award-winning restaurant, Mulligans, they created a welcoming space that offered not just food, but belonging and a new home away from home – supporting generations of Irish emigrants, promoting Irish culture, and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes across Ireland and Australia.

Mulligans Irish Restaurant, opened in 1994 with the support of Daniel O’Donnell, quickly became a cultural hub in Sydney’s Surry Hills.

Under Eileen’s warm hospitality and Seán’s traditional cooking, it provided comfort and connection to countless Irish emigrants, especially those from Donegal. Their generosity extended far beyond the restaurant, offering jobs, shelter, and guidance to those starting new lives abroad.

On being nominated for the 2025 award, Eileen and Seán said: “We are truly honoured to be nominated for the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award and 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.”

Their charitable work has been equally impactful. From fundraising events and themed nights to their joyful participation in the annual Variety Bash, they have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for causes including the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, which received €250,000 from a single event.

During the covid pandemic, they continued to bring people together through online cooking sessions and community support, offering comfort and connection during challenging times.

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In June 2025, Eileen and Seán celebrated 47 years of marriage. Their enduring partnership and unwavering commitment to community, culture, and compassion make them shining examples of the Irish diaspora’s spirit.

Meanwhile, Eileen and Seán Donaghey will be honoured alongside fellow 2025 awardees Vincent Keaveny and Danny Hutton in what will be a great night of celebrating individuals who exemplify the very best of Ireland's diaspora community and have had an impact on communities globally.

Tickets for the 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards are now on sale at Eventbrite.