THANK YOU to all our sponsors, donors and guests for making the IN Ball 2025 the best one yet!
It was a fantastic night of dinner, dancing, and camaraderie, bringing together our Chicago Irish community to celebrate our IN Spirit Honoree, Dolores Connolly, CEO of Sterling Engineering. We are also thrilled to share that our raffle raised nearly $20,000, which will be split between Concern Worldwide and Irish Community Services, furthering their incredible work.
Your support helps sustain Ireland Network Chicago's events and programming throughout the year, fostering connections and strengthening our community. Ireland Network Chicago truly appreciates your commitment and generosity. Click the links below to relive the night!




Thank You to our Generous 2025 Sponsors!
Want to see your name included with the other great sponsors below? Check out our range of sponsorship opportunities here. Event tickets and other enticing perks included at each sponsorship level! Thanks to your support, Ireland Network Chicago will be able to make donations to our charity partners: Concern Worldwide and Irish Community Services.






















2025 Ball Program Book | 2025 Ball Sponsorship Packages
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IN Spirit AwardThe IN Spirit Award demonstrates our profound gratitude for an individual's incredible service to the Irish community and is presented at the Annual Ball each February in front of our members, partners and supporters.It is our great privilege to honor Dolores Connolly with the 2025 IN Spirit Award |
Read More about Dolores Connolly here
Dolores Connolly was born and raised in Longford, Ireland. She attended Loreto College, Mullingar before receiving her International Certification in Early Childhood Education from Association Montessori Internationale, London in 1976. Her quest for travel and adventure was answered when Alcuin Montessori School of River Forest, Illinois, came to Ireland to recruit her to work at their school in 1979. Over time, Dolores’ professional ambitions changed and so too her career path. She started her corporate career with AOE / Danka Corporation, a global technology company. Over fifteen years, she worked through the ranks to become Regional Vice President.
In the late 1990’s Dolores joined her husband Dan, founder of Sterling Engineering Companies to support the company’s strategic plan to expand their service offerings. In 2002, she was appointed CEO of Sterling Engineering and Sterling Staffing Inc., a position she holds to this day. Currently operating in 25 states, with 500+ employees and annual revenues of $50+ million dollars.
Sterling Engineering recently expanded their operations in the European market opening EMEA Headquarters in Ireland, with offices in Dublin and Galway. This new venture is driven by Sterling’s global client demands to expand their world class engineering and specialized technical recruiting services beyond North America.
From Dolores’ early days volunteering with the Simon Community (an organisation striving to end homelessness in Ireland) to teaching inner city children in Dublin, service to the community has been a constant thread throughout her life. Her passion for social justice, equality and education for all is at the core of her philanthropy focus. This has driven much of her civic engagements and commitments over the years. As a Board Member for Concern Worldwide US, civic engagement is not just a role but it is a testament to who Dolores is and what she stands for.
Dolores is proudly involved, and an active member of a number of organisations:
- Concern Worldwide. Executive Board Member since 1999
- International Women’s Forum, Chicago. Member since 1998
- Chicago - Galway Sister Cities Committee. Member since 1995
- Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Presidents Circle, USA. Member since 2001
- Women Minority Business Enterprise,(WMBE) Chicago. Member since 2013
- Irish Books, Arts and Music (iBAM!) Award, Person of the Year, 2018
- Chicago Mother Jones Statue Committee 2021
Today, Dolores and her husband Dan live in Lincoln Park, Chicago. She credits him for his constant faith in her capabilities and ambitions. His unwavering support has allowed her to break glass ceilings throughout her career. They enjoy a life of adventure together while balancing their work and philanthropic endeavours both locally and globally.
Past IN Spirit Award Recipients
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2024 IN Spirit AwardIreland Network was honored to present the 2024 IN Spirit Award to MIKE CLUNE. Committed to philanthropy across the United States and Ireland, Mike contributes to a wide array of causes through his company, Clune Construction, and as chairman of Irish American Partnership. |
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2023 IN Spirit AwardIt was our great privilege to honor BILLY LAWLESS with the 2023 IN Spirit Award! As a businessman, restaurateur, immigration advocate and Senator, Billy has given a voice to the Irish abroad, provided jobs and resources to Irish in need, and strengthened ties between the U.S. and Ireland. His heartfelt passion, call to service and immeasurable generosity of time and treasures sets an example for us all. Read the letter from Senator Dick Durbin here and view more testimonials here. |
2022 Cliff Carlson, Irish American News
2020 Dan O'Donnell, Armitage Hardware
2019 Bill Gainer, Galway/Chicago Sister City and Cork/Cook County Partnership