Co-operation Ireland

Co-operation Ireland is a charity, which is run by a voluntary board under the joint patronage of King Charles III and President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. The Chairman of Co-operation Ireland is Christopher Moran, a position he has held for over a decade having previously been Chairman of the Co-operation Ireland GB Executive. He was awarded a doctorate by Ulster University for his contribution to peace-building in Ireland and for supporting Anglo-Irish relations. The board is supported by five sub-committees: Audit; Finance and Governance; Chairman's; Strategy and Business Development; and Communications, Marketing and Fundraising. The organisation has charitable status in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. == History ==

The organisation was originally named Co-operation North, and was founded in 1979 by Irish businessman Brendan O'Regan. His objectives were to promote reconciliation between the Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland and to promote dialogue and understanding between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Queen Elizabeth II and President Mary Robinson become Co-operation North's joint patrons in 1995. A sister organisation, Co-operation Ireland USA, was founded in 1981, and opened a Belfast office in 1982. In 2000, a Gala Concert for Peace at Royal Albert Hall, London was held in support of Co-operation Ireland, with headline artists including The Corrs, The Saw Doctors and B*Witched participating. In 2016, Irish artist Colin Davidson presented Elizabeth II with a portrait at a Co-operation Ireland event attended by First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. In March 2018, Prince Harry and his fiancée, Meghan Markle, attended the organisation's Amazing the Space youth programme at the former Maze/Long Kesh prison site. The following November, President Michael D. Higgins addressed the organisation's dinner to honour the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland football teams ahead of a friendly match in Dublin. == Programmes ==

;Civic-Link An education-based project which links schools on a North–South basis, and gives students an opportunity to work collaboratively on projects based around citizenship and civic responsibility. ;CORE (Community Outreach Reconciliation and Engagement) A community-based project for the people of Inner East Belfast and Finglas South in Dublin. Those from Belfast come from the predominant Catholic area of Short Strand and from the predominantly Protestant area of Ballymacarrett. The project brings people from these communities together and encourages them to work with and learn from each other. The George Best Community Cup is part of the CORE project. ;Irish Peace Centres A project developed by four peace centres in Ireland – Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, the Corrymeela Community, The Donegal Centre at An Teach Ban and Co-operation Ireland. == Fundraising ==

Co-operation Ireland came to prominence through their annual Maracycle. Supporters continue to raise funds through sporting events such as the New York City Marathon and annual cycling challenge events, both in Ireland and overseas. To mark the organisation's 40th anniversary a cycle challenge from Boston to New York will take place in 2019. In addition gala dinners are held in London, Dublin and Belfast each year. == References ==