About Us

It is a sad fact of everyday life that people suffer personal injuries through accidents in their homes, workplace, on our streets and roads and also in the pursuit of leisure activities and sports. In this regard rugby is no different from any other contact sport and unfortunately player injuries occur from time to time. Such injuries can be of a very serious nature, resulting in permanent disability in some cases.

The Irish Rugby Football Union Charitable Trust was formed in 1978 to assist severely injured rugby players in their everyday lives, and help to restore their confidence and independence; with the Trust being their for the injured players families as well.

There are currently 35 seriously injured players registered with the Charitable Trust in Ireland, most of whom are wheelchair users and have some form of permanent paralysis.

The support provided by the Trust takes many forms and includes financial assistance for medical, nursing and caring expenses, home alterations, education and training costs, provision of wheelchairs and specialised equipment together with motor vehicles and vehicle conversion costs. The Trust also maintains regular contact with each injured player and their families.

Over the past few years the average annual cost of financial support provided by the Trust has been approximately €450,000. This is partly funded by direct grants from the IRFU, our Partners, along with various fundraising initiatives and donations. Fundraising initiatives include sponsored walks coinciding with Lions tours and the Rugby World Cup, golf tournaments, sports quizzes and gala dinners on the eve of a home Six Nations match along with the Friends of the Charitable Trust scheme.

The Friends programme is important to the Trust as it provides a regular income from subscriptions with membership currently in excess of 400. The Friends programme includes individuals, Clubs and Schools across the four provinces, as well as Corporate Friends.

Trustees & Committee

The IRFU monitors the Trust through four Trustees: John Callaghan, Ronnie Dawson, Pat Fitzgerald, John Hussey and Ian McIlrath.

The day to day affairs of the Trust are administered by a sub-committee currently comprising: Michael Whelan (Chairperson), Mr. Cliff Beirne, Billy Dawson, Ollie Campbell, Fiona Coghlan, Yvonne Comer, Jan Cunningham, Robert Deacon, Stan Huey, Pat O’Connor, Dr. Noel O’Mahony, Prof. John Quinlan, Liam Rattigan, Niall Rynne, Bertie Smith, Dr. Eimear Smith, John Trainor and John Wilson.

The IRFU Charitable Trust is registered as a charity in the Republic of Ireland under Charity Reference CHY6120. In Northern Ireland the charity has a Registered Charity number XR87763 and is registered as the IRFU Charitable Trust (Northern Ireland) to take advantage of Gift Aid tax concessions.

Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20010331.