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. 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. The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards return for 2026 at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana, on Friday, September 25. 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.