Northern Ireland

Rory McIlroy charity to donate to three Irish children's charities

Ex-Ireland rugby player Gordon D'Arcyn; Barretstown CEO Dee Ahearn; Dublin GAA footballer John O'Leary and RTÉ broadcaster Ray D'Arcy at the K Club. Picture by Maxwell Photography
Ex-Ireland rugby player Gordon D'Arcyn; Barretstown CEO Dee Ahearn; Dublin GAA footballer John O'Leary and RTÉ broadcaster Ray D'Arcy at the K Club. Picture by Maxwell Photography Ex-Ireland rugby player Gordon D'Arcyn; Barretstown CEO Dee Ahearn; Dublin GAA footballer John O'Leary and RTÉ broadcaster Ray D'Arcy at the K Club. Picture by Maxwell Photography

RORY McIlroy's charity, The Rory Foundation, is to donate funds raised through the Irish Open to three children's charities.

LauraLynn, the Republic's children's hospice, the Jack and Jill Foundation, which supports the families of children with brain damage, and Barretstown, a camp for children living with serious illness, will all benefit from the funding.

Events will be held around the championship at the K Club in Co Kildare in May to raise money for the Irish charities.

Sharon Morrow, chief executive of LauraLynn, said she was "extremely pleased" the charity was one of three selected by the Co Down golfer.

"It will help us to raise awareness of LauraLynn and the services we provide to children with life-limiting conditions, and their families," she said.

"It will also provide much-needed funds.

"I want to pay tribute to Rory McIlroy, and his team at the Foundation, for the wonderful work they are doing for really worthy causes, and for selecting us along with two other great children's charities. It is a major endorsement of all the work of everyone at LauraLynn."

The Rory Foundation was established in 2013 to offer support to children's charities. Barry Funston, Chief Executive of the Rory Foundation, said McIlroy was "proud" to support the children's hospice.

"The Rory Foundation is committed to helping children’s charities and we are glad to be able to offer some support," he said.

Beneficiaries of the foundation so far include the Cancer Fund for Children, Mencap NI and Sport Changes Life, all based in Northern Ireland.

McIlroy will host an evening with Sir Alex Ferguson at the Convention Centre Dublin on May 17, compered by actor James Nesbitt.