IRFU Charitable Trust 2025 Rugby Ball in association with Vodafone Foundation

The night before Ireland take on France in the Guinness Six Nations at the Aviva, the 2025 IRFU Charitable Trust Rugby Ball in association with Vodafone Foundation will once again take place at the popular Round Room at the Mansion House, Dawson Street.  No doubt there will be a few Ireland v France tickets available through the Silent Auction and Live Auction on the night as this match is always a sellout.  The last time France visited Ireland it was a resounding victory followed by a brilliant win in Marseilles in February 2024.  Special guests are to be announced following on from the highly entertaining Q&A with Jenny Murphy, Jimmy O’Brien and Johnnie Beattie at the last Rugby Ball, which took place the night before Ireland beat Scotland in the Aviva to claim back-to-back Guinness Six Nations Championships!

Thank you once again to Vodafone and Vodafone Foundation for 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 calendar highlight for rugby fans; fans who continue to support the Charitable Trust in helping seriously injured rugby players and their families – some of who will join us on the night.

We would love you to join us hence to book your table please contact Linda Black on 01 647 3866 or email linda.black@irfu.ie.  The cost for a table of ten people is €2,800 with all funds raised on the night going towards helping all 36 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.

Guests will once again be treated to a drinks reception at 7pm kindly sponsored by our drinks partner Guinness.  We were delighted to welcome Coops Cocktails as part of our drinks reception for the 2024 Rugby Ball, so who will join us in 2025?  The drinks reception is followed by a silver service dinner from 8pm with entertainment and a few surprises earlier in the evening.  A particularly special moment during the 2024 Rugby Ball was the interview between MC Alan Shortt and seriously injured player Garrett Culliton who spoke about how the Charitable Trust helped him “follow his dreams” by providing Garrett with specialized wheelchairs for both Wheelchair Rugby and Track Events.  The latter helped Garrett to become a Paralympian and Garrett introduced Wheelchair Rugby to Ireland back in 1997 – a sport he is passionate about and one he introduced many to who have suffered a life-changing injury.  Again, without the support of the entire rugby family, the Charitable Trust could not continue to help seriously injured players continue to chase their dreams.

As mentioned we will have a Silent Auction with something for everyone – please register early to get your bids in.  We will also have a Live Auction with unique and exclusive prizes.  And of course the ever popular Raffle will take place with a prize for every table; as well as the fun “Heads & Tails” to kick us off where Butlers very kindly sponsored the prize in 2024.  You can check out the news item from the 2024 Rugby Ball by clicking here.  As always, we greatly appreciate the generosity of all of you who contribute to the auction items and raffle prizes on the night including stalwarts Vodafone and Guinness, as well as Aer Lingus, Bank of Ireland, The K Club, Leinster Rugby, Galway Bay Golf Resort and the IRFU to name a few.  The night will end with another brilliant band, following on from the very entertaining WOW Party Band in 2024 – which was very kindly sponsored by Slattery’s of Beggars Bush.

Finally we’d like to take this opportunity 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 in March 2025 and to ensure you are there, please book your table by emailing Linda at linda.black@irfu.ie