“John Dwyer and I were introduced to IYF by one of the founders, Nessa O’Neill. It’s such a worthwhile cause, I’ve been supporting IYF ever since.”

Richard Corrigan has played a central role in the development of the IYF, joining the Board of Trustees in 2012. During this time Richard has raised over £500,000 for the IYF and the organisations it supports.

Richard is the most celebrated Irish chef in Britain, having opened numerous restaurants, gained Michelin stars, published two books, cooked for the Queen and Barack Obama, and regularly makes appearances on radio and television. He has won BBC2’s Great British Menu three times and is a regular judge on the popular BBC series. Richard owns and runs the Corrigan Collection Restaurants which includes: Daffodil Mulligan, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Corrigan’s Mayfair, Dickies Bar, as well as Virginia Park Lodge in Co Cavan, Ireland.

A farmer’s son, Richard has cooked all his life and is a supporter of British and Irish produce and small independent suppliers. Richard is well known for his generous hospitality and celebrating seasonal events such as St Patrick’s Day, Game Season and The Return of the Native Oysters in September. Since Virginia Park Lodge’s acquisition in 2014, Richard has devoted much of his time to restoring the estate to its former glory, growing seasonal produce for his restaurants and making the 100-acre property as self-sufficient as possible.

“I’m delighted to be involved with the Irish Youth Foundation (UK) and I’m looking forward to supporting its great work with young disadvantaged Irish people in the UK.”

Dara’s Irish heritage and interest in the enrichment of education and the imaginations of children make a perfect match with the aims of the Irish Youth Foundation (UK).

Dara Ó Briain is one of the UK and Ireland’s favourite stand-up comedians and television presenters. He is best known for hosting Mock the Week, Robot Wars, Three Men in A Boat, Dara And Ed’s Big Adventure, Stargazing Live with Professor Brian Cox, Dara Ó Briain’s Science Club, and the documentary Dara Ó Briain Meets Sir Stephen Hawking, all on BBC. He also hosted Dara Ó Briain’s Go 8 Bit and School of Hard Sums on UKTV.

He started his career in television as a children’s presenter on RTÉ whilst performing his first stand-up gigs on the Irish comedy circuit. He is a graduate of University College Dublin, where he studied Mathematical Physics. Dara released the bestselling book, Tickling the English in 2009 and, more recently, his two children’s books about space: Secret Science: The Amazing World Beyond Your Eyes and Beyond the Sky: You and the Universe.

Mary Clancy Hatch is now retired but remains a major shareholder of the Clancy Group of Companies. She is a former Chair of the Irish Youth Foundation (UK) and the Women’s Irish Network. She remains engaged in the Irish community in London and is a Patron of Irish Heritage, ICAP, the Kiln Theatre and the Irish Youth Foundation.

“In this busy world, it’s important for me to give back to those less fortunate than myself.”

John Dwyer took over as Chairman from John O’Neill on 1st May 2011.

John hails from Dundalk and was a Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers for 20 years including 5 years on the Executive Board leading the UK and Global Deals business . He is now working with a range of investment institutions supporting growth portfolio companies.

He lives in Hampstead in London. John is married to Natasha and they have three daughters. John has been a Trustee of the IYF since January 2004 and has been actively involved in a number of the IYF’s fundraising activities, not least the infamous Poker night organised with Richard Corrigan.

“I believe in equal opportunities for education no matter where you start. This can change lives. IYF grants help organisations to achieve this.”

Virginia and Edward Lawlor started the Lawlor Foundation in 1988 following the death of their son, Peter. Their objectives were to support adolescents and education in England and Northern Ireland. This leads to its incorporation with the Irish Youth Foundation in 2005.

Virginia, a recently retired psychotherapist, continues as a Trustees with a keen interest in this field particularly in Northern Ireland.

Learn more about the Lawlor Foundation’s Grants here.

Originally from Galway, Tiarnán has been in London since he began his investment banking career with JPMorgan more than twenty years ago. Tiarnan was one of the founding team members of Evercore’s European business in 2006 and he is currently responsible for its Financial Sponsor business in EMEA.

Tiarnán is married with three children and lives in Chiswick. His involvement with the IYF began with the inaugural Rock’n’Rugby lunch and has grown from there. He is passionate about helping disadvantaged young Irish people in the UK.

Triona grew up in a village called Cloghane, located at the foot of the Conor Pass on the Dingle Peninsula. Triona manages the sustainability finance reporting at Reckitt (FTSE20) and is a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

“I’m proud to be a Trustee of The Irish Youth Foundation (UK). The Irish Youth Foundation (UK) is a charity that stays true to its purpose and supports the most vulnerable young people in society. My core beliefs are every child deserves a chance in life.”

“Having enjoyed many family holidays in Ireland when young, it has been a great privilege to be warmly adopted by the Irish community here in the UK and to witness its wonderful generosity towards young people in need.”

Linda joined the IYF in 1999 following a career in newspapers, including working for the Daily Telegraph and subsequently becoming a founder member of the team which launched The Independent in 1986.

She says, “Working with IYF(UK) is an absolute pleasure. The past few years have been tough for charities with fundraising but the loyal supporters of this charity come through year after year for us. Working with new partners is always exciting and being able to visit some of our supported projects to see our grants brought to life reinvigorates my passion to play a small part.”