In pictures: Global excellence celebrated at Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards

The 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards took place on Friday evening at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, honouring four exceptional members of the Global Irish community whose achievements reflect the enduring spirit and values of the Irish diaspora. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

The day began with a special in-person panel discussion hosted by Ulster University, featuring Professor Paul Moore, Head of the School of Arts and Humanities. The session explored themes of identity, legacy, and the evolving role of the Irish diaspora in global affairs, setting a thoughtful and engaging tone for the evening’s celebrations.

Since their inception in 2012, the Tip O’Neill Awards have honoured the legacy of Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and proud descendant of Inishowen. The event continues to bring together dignitaries, community leaders, and guests from across the globe for an evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration.

This year’s four distinguished awardees included Buncrana-born founding member of the legendary American rock band Three Dog Night, Danny Hutton, recognised for his lifelong contribution to music and his pride in Irish heritage.

The first Irish-born Lord Mayor of the City of London in over 800 years Vincent Keaveny, honoured for his leadership in civic life and his advocacy for diversity and sustainability.

Restaurateurs, community leaders, and cornerstones of the Irish community in Sydney, Australia, Eileen and Seán Donaghey celebrated for their cultural contributions and philanthropic work supporting Irish and Australian charities.

The evening featured formal addresses from Minister Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Minister Neale Richmond, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Also speaking on the night were Cathaoirleach Cllr. Paul Canning, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council John G. McLaughlin, and Chair of the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards Committee Mr. Nicholas Crossan. A closing word of thanks was given by Tom O’Neill, son of Tip O’Neill and proud supporter of these awards.

Guests were treated to video messages from the Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Ms. Chantelle Taylor, and legendary Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell, adding a personal and international dimension to the evening.

The evening celebrations concluded with a special performance by Three Dog Night, marking a unique moment of cultural celebration and homecoming.

The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards continue to serve as a bridge between Donegal and its global family, celebrating those who never forget where they come from — and who continue to give back.

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Ceiliúradh ar Shármhaitheas Domhanda Éireannach ag Óstan Inishown Gateway le Gradaim Diaspóra Éireannach Tip O’Neill 2025

Bhí Gradaim Diaspóra Éireannach Tip O’Neill 2025 ar siúl tráthnóna Dé hAoine in Óstán Inishowen Gateway i mBun Cranncha, ag onóiriú ceathrar baill eisceachtúla de phobal domhanda na hÉireann a léiríonn a gcuid éachtaí spiorad agus luachanna buana Diaspóra na hÉireann.

Thosaigh an lá le h-ócáid ​​phlé speisialta, eagraithe ag Ollscoil Uladh, leis an tOllamh Paul Moore, Ceann Scoil na nEalaíon agus na nDaonnachtaí. Phléigh an seisiún téamaí féiniúlachta, oidhreachta, agus an ról éabhlóideach atá ag diaspóra na hÉireann i gcúrsaí domhanda, ag leagan guth tiusceanach agus mealltach do cheiliúradh na h-oíche.

Ó bunaíodh na Ghradaim Tip O’Neill i 2012, leanann siad an onóiriú oidhreacht Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, iar-spéicéir Theach Ionadaithe na Stát Aontaithe, agus sliochtach bhródúil as Inis Eoghain. Thug an ócáid ​​​​uaisle, ceannairí pobail, agus aíonna ó gach cóirnéal den domhan le chéile le h-aghaidh oíche aitheantais, machnaimh agus ceiliúrtha.

I measc na daoine a hbfuair an onóir i mbliana, bhí:

Rugadh Danny Hutton i mBun Cranncha, ball bunaithe den bhanna rac-cheoil Meiriceánach cáiliúil ‘Three Dog Night’, a bhfuil aitheantas tugtha dó as a shaothar sa cheol ar feadh a shaoil ​​agus as a bhród as oidhreacht na hÉireann.

An chéad Ardmhéara ar Chathair Londain, a rugadh in Éirinn le breis agus 800 bhliain, Vincent Keaveny, a tugadh onóir dó as a cheannaireacht sa saol sibhialta, agus as a chuid abhcóideachta ar son na h-éagsúlachta agus na h-inbhuanaitheachta.

Bialannaí, ceannairí pobail agus bunchloch Phobal na h-Éireann i Sydney, san Astráil, Eileen agus Seán Donaghey. Tá cáil orthu as a gcuid ranníocaíochtaí cultúrtha agus a gcuid oibre daonchairdiúla ag tacú le carthanachtaí Éireannacha agus Astrálacha.

Bhí roinnt óráidí foirmiúla ar an oíche ó Aire Charlie McConalogue, Aire Stáit don Roinn Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt, agus an t-Aire Neale Richmond, Aire Stáit don Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála. Ag labhairt fosta ar an oíche, bhí an Comhairleoir Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach Comhiarle Chontae Dhún na nGall, John G. McLaughlin, Príomhfheidhmeanna comhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall, agus an tUasal Nocholas Crossan, Cathairleach Choiste ghradaim Diaspóra Éireannach Tip O’Neill. Thug Tom O’Neill, mac Tip O’Neill agus taca bhródúil dena ghradaim seo, cúpla focal buíochais mar aitheasc clabhsúir

Cuireadh teachtaireachtaí físe speisialta ar fáil do na haíonna, ó Ambasadóir na hAstráile go hÉirinn, Ms. Chantelle Taylor, agus ón amhránaí Éireannach mór le rá, Daniel O’Donnell, rud a chuir gné phearsanta agus idirnáisiúnta leis an oíche.

Tháinig deireadh leis na cheiliúradh le taispeantas speisialta ó ‘Three Dog Night’, rud a chomóradh bomaite uathúil, ceiliúrtha cultúrtha agus filleadh na bhaile.

The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards continue to serve as a bridge between Donegal and its global family, celebrating those who never forget where they come from — and who continue to give back.

Tá na Ghradaim Diaspóra Éireannacha Tip Uí Néill mar droichead leanúnach agus seasta idir Dhún na nGall agus a theaghlach domhanda, ag ceiliúradh na daoine nach dhéanfaidh dearmad chíoche ar an áit a dthainig siad — agus a leanann orthu ag tabhairt ar ais don phobal.