Donald Keough’s love of Ireland and all things Irish led to his involvement in that country’s economic development, and he went on to serve on the Taoiseach’s Economic Advisory Board, visiting Ireland several times in the process.

He is currently chairman of the board of Allen &Company, a New York investment banking firm, having previously served as president of the Coca-Cola Company.

A graduate of Creighton University and navy veteran, Keough has been awarded honorary doctorates from Trinity College, Dublin, and is former chairman of the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife Marilyn endowed a chair of Irish Studies at that University in 1993.

Also in 1993, Keough received the highest award that can be bestowed by the home of the Fighting Irish, the Laetare Medal. He has also been honored with the American Irish Historical Society medal, and was formerly named Irish American of the Year by this magazine.