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  • Cultural Ambassador for Ireland

Gabriel Byrne was appointed the first Cultural Ambassador for Ireland by Taoiseach Brian Cowen at the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Washington, DC on March 16, 2010. He will be working “…closely with the Government and artistic bodies to develop “an artistic vision” that is inclusive of the Irish diaspora throughout the world….His role will include the creation of a programme of art, ideas, debate and reflection to help foster a renewed cultural relationship between Ireland and America.” (quoting from the Irish Times)

Founded in 1972, Irish Arts Center is a New York-based arts and cultural center dedicated to projecting a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America for the 21st century, building community with audiences of all backgrounds, and preserving the stories and traditions of Irish culture for generations to come. (from the official website)


Gabriel Byrne was appointed a UNICEF Ireland Ambassador in November 2004. He is particularly interested in helping UNICEF Ireland highlight the plight of children whose lives have been devastated by HIV/AIDS. Gabriel recently held an Exhibition of his own Photographs in aid of UNICEF in New York and was the very special guest at the 2006 Mother’s Day Lunch.

Gabriel is also supporting UNICEF Ireland’s latest campaign “Believe in Zero”. (from the UNICEF website)

“The Irish Hospice Foundation supports the development of hospice care and promotes the hospice philosophy.

* Hospice care is the specialised care of people with life-limiting illness.
* The hospice philosophy is based on the principle of wholeness, expressed in many ways – for example, it gives equal emphasis to the physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of the patient. The hospice philosophy takes as its starting point that death is a natural part of life; that dying is an integral life experience.

Our aim is to facilitate the practice of hospice care in all its aspects. We do this by working independently as well as in partnership with the statutory, voluntary and professional bodies concerned with hospice and palliative care in Ireland. ” (from the official website)

The Forum on End of Life in Ireland sponsored by the Irish Hospice Foundation is a particular focus for Gabriel Byrne. He serves as the Forum’s Patron. “The Forum on End of Life in Ireland seeks to develop a vision of how modern Ireland can address the challenges of dying, death and bereavement. It offers an opportunity for organisations and the general public to discuss the issues they believe are crucial at the end of life.” (from the official website)


Gabriel Byrne is a well-known Human Rights activist and was deeply involved with getting Art for Amnesty‘s Imagine campaign running. In fact, it was his inspiration, after hearing his niece’s school choir perform Imagine, that led Amnesty International’s USA office to approach Yoko Ono with the idea for the campaign.  (from the Amnesty International website)

“Our Mission is to reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease on families living in the West of Ireland. Our Aim is to play a leading role in ensuring that the people of the West of Ireland receive the highest attainable level of cardiovascular healthcare, based on the best international standards. ” (from the official website)