IRFU Charitable Trust 2026 Rugby Ball in association with Vodafone Foundation
A week before Ireland takes on Wales in the Guinness Six Nations in the Aviva, the 2026 IRFU Charitable Trust Rugby Ball in association with Vodafone Foundation will once again take place in the Round Room at the Mansion House on Friday 27th February 2026. The 2025 Rugby Ball saw a packed Round Room entertained by MC Alan Shortt, along with a brilliant Q&A hosted by Nigel Osborne with special guests Eimear Considine Ryan and Dimitri Yachvili, and surprise guest Serge Betsen! We will announce the special guests for the 2026 in due course.
We were also joined by seriously injured player Ciarán McCarthy along with his family, including his mum Brenda. Ciarán spoke about his journey since his injury, his involvement in the award winning spinal cord injury repair research, culminating in his second book “Closer to walking again” which guests could get a signed copy of on the night. We were also joined by seriously injured players Danny Noonan and Victor Costello, as well as Jamie Graham and his wife Natalie who was celebrating her birthday the night!
Thank you once again to Vodafone and Vodafone Foundation for once again sponsoring the night. Without the ongoing compassion and commitment of our sponsors, we would not be able to have such an amazing event that is a highlight for rugby fans year-on-year. All funds raised on the night go towards helping those who have been seriously injured playing the game we all love.
The night will kick off with a drinks reception at 7pm kindly sponsored by Guinness, again many thanks to Diageo and Guinness for their ongoing generosity and loyalty to the Trust. Hopefully Ireland will have three good results under their belt in the Guinness Six Nations having already played France and England away, and Italy at home. Tickets for the remaining two home matches against Wales and Scotland will be up for grabs in the increasingly popular Silent Auction as well as the Live Auction. Along with many other lots from the world of rugby including a very unique and very special Lions Jersey – signed by many generations of Irish Lions!
Before the three-course silver service dinner commences just after 8pm, the fun “Heads & Tails” will kick off the nights proceeding which was kindly sponsored by Butlers. Many thanks to last year’s wine sponsor Masterlink. We will once again have the very popular Raffle with a prize for every table; and going on the last few years, the prizes will once again be outstanding. Followed by the nights entertainment including a Q&A with special guests to be announced. After the Live Auction and the Silent Auction end, a live band will take to the stage. In 2025, the brilliant Spring Break had everyone up and dancing to 80s favourites – many thanks again to Slattery’s of Beggars Bush for sponsoring the band.
We would love you to join us hence to book your table please contact Linda Black on 087 7458438 or email linda.black@irfu.ie. The cost for a table of ten people is €3,000 with all funds raised on the night going towards helping all 37 seriously injured rugby players and their families. Thank you once again to our loyal supporters, including corporate supporters and Corporate FRIENDS, who will join us on the night – plus a warm welcome to those who will be joining us for the first time. We would also like to welcome Business Plus as our media partner for the event. Thank you to both Business Plus and DMG Media Ireland for your ongoing support. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Leinster Rugby for their support.
Finally we’d like to thank you all for your support – sponsors and donators, committee members and volunteers, colleagues and all our loyal and generous guests including our FRIENDS. Your support for those who have been seriously injured playing the game we all love is greatly, greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you all on Friday 27th March 2026 and to ensure you are there, please book your table early. Many thanks again.
