Thursday, 18 September 2025
The organisers of the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards are delighted to announce that broadcaster, musician, and academic Doireann Ní Ghlacáin will act as Master of Ceremonies at this year’s awards, taking place on Friday, 17th October 2025, at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana, Co. Donegal.
Celebrating its legacy as one of Ireland’s most distinguished diaspora events, the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards honour individuals of Irish ancestry who have made outstanding contributions in their chosen fields while embodying the spirit of community, heritage, and global connection. Named in memory of U.S. Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, whose Donegal roots were central to his lifelong commitment to Ireland, the awards have become a highlight of Donegal’s cultural calendar.
This year’s ceremony will be guided by the unique energy and charisma of Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, a familiar voice and face across Irish media. Known for her distinctive presence on RTÉ Radio 1, TG4, and RTÉ television, Doireann is also the co-host of the chart-topping podcast How To Gael. Most recently, she was a presenter for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 in Wexford, bringing her trademark warmth, humour, and insight to the much-loved celebration of Irish music and culture.
A fluent Irish speaker and passionate advocate for the Irish language, Doireann has built a career at the crossroads of culture, storytelling, and performance. With a background in traditional Irish music, both as a performer and scholar, she blends academic rigour with an innate gift for communication. Her work consistently connects Ireland’s rich cultural past with its evolving present, bridging generations while making heritage accessible and vibrant for audiences at home and abroad.
Importantly, Doireann’s connection to Donegal runs deep through her family roots, making her role as MC for the 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards especially meaningful.
Speaking about her role, Doireann said:
“It is an honour to be invited to host the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards, an event that celebrates the extraordinary impact of the Irish across the world while staying rooted in the community of Donegal. As someone with family connections to the county, and a passion for language, culture, and storytelling, I look forward to celebrating these remarkable awardees and sharing the pride of what it means to be Irish today.”
The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards, supported by Donegal County Council and the Tip O’Neill Diaspora Award Committee, will welcome distinguished guests from Ireland and abroad, including representatives from politics, business, culture, and academia. The evening will showcase the achievements of this year’s awardees and highlight the enduring bonds between Ireland and its global diaspora.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Paul Canning, welcomed the announcement:
“We are thrilled to have Doireann Ní Ghlacáin as MC for the 2025 awards. Doireann embodies so much of what the diaspora story represents — talent, creativity, connection to heritage, and the ability to bring people together. With her Donegal family ties and her gift for communication, she is the perfect person to lead this celebration in Buncrana.”
The 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards will take place on Friday, 17th October, at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, from 6:30pm. The final few tickets are available now via Eventbrite.
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tip-oneill-irish-diaspora-awards-2025-tickets-1380359936729?aff=oddtdtcreator
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