THE two Donegal people chosen for this year’s Tip O’Neill awards are the head of the world’s largest global law firm and an outstanding community champion.
Brendan ‘Tiny’ Vaughan, from Carrigart, founded the Donegal Hospice Calendar in 2011 in memory of his mother and helped to raise €240,000.
His extraordinary commitment to community and charity, plus Irish cultural and sporting organisations, has seen him spearhead a series of fundraising initiatives for flood victims, cancer patients and the emergency services.
He also co-founded the London Irish Vintage Club, whose annual Charity Vintage Day has raised over £1 million for worthy causes across Ireland and Britain.
Tiny, who has lived in London, Boston, Paris and Berlin, said: “Donegal has always been home in my heart.
“I accept this award on behalf of everyone who has worked alongside me to support worthy causes and to strengthen the bonds of our Irish community across the world.”
Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora 2026 award winner Brendan ‘Tiny’ Vaughan founded the Donegal Hospice Calendar in 2011 in memory of his mother and helped to raise €240,000.
Kate Barton, CEO of Dentons law firm in Boston, Massachusetts. Photographed at Boston College Law School for BC Magazine’s Summer 2026 issue.
Kate Barton is the Global CEO of Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm.
She also serves on the board of Boston company technology company Shark Ninja that creates household appliances and cleaning tools.
Kate also supports a number of charitable and educational organisations and holds degrees from Boston University and Boston College Law School and has completed executive studies at Harvard.
She said: “As the granddaughter of four grandparents who emigrated from Ireland to Boston, I am deeply honoured to receive this year’s Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award.
“Their legacy of resilience, storytelling, and humour has shaped who I am.
“It has guided me throughout my leadership roles in professional service as well as my philanthropic endeavours.
“I am grateful to carry forward the values they instilled in me and to celebrate the enduring impact of my Irish heritage.”
The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards return for 2026 at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, on Friday, September 25.
The award is presented on an annual basis to chosen members of the broad Irish diaspora in recognition of their remarkable contribution in their chosen field and support for Ireland and its Diaspora.
The awards were established in 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the birth of the late Tip O’Neill, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, whose maternal grandparents emigrated from Donegal.
Donegal County Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Gary Doherty, said: “I am delighted to announce Kate Barton and Brendan ‘Tiny’ Vaughan as our Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awardees for 2026.”
Tickets for the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards 2026 are now available from the eventbrite.ie website.