The Ireland Funds held its 34th annual St. Patrick's Day Gala at Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore on March 17. The event drew a crowd of about 500 attendees. The event, a key fundraising night for The Ireland Funds, raised $700,000.

Among the luminaries present were the two honorees of the night. Chip Ganassi, the legendary owner of Chip Ganassi Racing, received The Daniel M. Rooney Ambassador's Award. Evan Frazier, CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute, was honored with The Patricia R. Rooney Community Impact Award. The evening highlighted both men's contributions to their respective fields, with Ganassi reflecting on his long and enduring love for racing.

"I got into racing for my initial love of the automobile and the competition," Ganassi said as he accepted his award. "But after 35 years, I still love it every bit as much as I did when I first got into it. I think that's why I've been at it for so long — it just doesn't feel like work to me."

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato attended the event. A PNC Bank IndyCar and another painted green for the occasion celebrated Ganassi's racing legacy in Pittsburgh.

The gala raised crucial funds for The Ireland Funds, ensuring continued support for the charity's work in promoting education and community development in Ireland.

First Published: March 20, 2025, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: March 21, 2025, 3:46 p.m.