Famous faces in Pittsburgh came together Thursday night to celebrate 50 years of the Ireland Funds. Overlooking a sea of green, former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and his wife, Kiya, accepted the Patricia R. Rooney Community Impact Award at the Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala at Acrisure Stadium. “It’s often said, you know, we’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time. Like, you have to choose. And you know, I think our experience here in Pittsburgh with the great Steelers organization exemplifies that we were here for a long and really good time,” Tomlin told the crowd. The gala was Tomlin’s first formal public appearance since stepping away from the team in January. Tomlin did not openly discuss his decision and Thursday night was no different, as he skipped out on a scheduled media opportunity. He instead voiced his appreciation for the Steelers and the Steel City during his speech. “It’s been an honor to serve the greatest organization in sport. It’s been an honor to be a part of this great community, to call home, for our kids to call home,” Tomlin said. “We’re in somewhat of a nomadic business, so we don’t take that for granted.”Award-winning actor Michael Keaton showed his Pittsburgh pride with a Terrible Towel in hand when he was honored with the Daniel M. Rooney Ambassador’s Award. “When you look at what’s going on in the world and not far from this country, the chaos and the cruelty, and the lack of vision and the small-mindedness and the meanness. And organizations like this that are pretty big, but by comparison, they’re flying under the radar, and they’re about generosity and kindness and decency,” Keaton said.The Ireland Funds was founded in 1976 with three goals in mind: peace, culture, and charity. The initiative was started by former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and owner of the Steelers, Dan Rooney, and Anthony J.F. O’Reilly.It has since grown to assist thousands of organizations worldwide. “It, kind of, started out slow, to now see it, there are events across the country and different cities around the world. It’s great to see,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. The Ireland Funds has raised more than $750 million.

PITTSBURGH —

Famous faces in Pittsburgh came together Thursday night to celebrate 50 years of the Ireland Funds.

Overlooking a sea of green, former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and his wife, Kiya, accepted the Patricia R. Rooney Community Impact Award at the Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala at Acrisure Stadium.

“It’s often said, you know, we’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time. Like, you have to choose. And you know, I think our experience here in Pittsburgh with the great Steelers organization exemplifies that we were here for a long and really good time,” Tomlin told the crowd.

The gala was Tomlin’s first formal public appearance since stepping away from the team in January.

Tomlin did not openly discuss his decision and Thursday night was no different, as he skipped out on a scheduled media opportunity.

He instead voiced his appreciation for the Steelers and the Steel City during his speech.

“It’s been an honor to serve the greatest organization in sport. It’s been an honor to be a part of this great community, to call home, for our kids to call home,” Tomlin said. “We’re in somewhat of a nomadic business, so we don’t take that for granted.”

Award-winning actor Michael Keaton showed his Pittsburgh pride with a Terrible Towel in hand when he was honored with the Daniel M. Rooney Ambassador’s Award.

“When you look at what’s going on in the world and not far from this country, the chaos and the cruelty, and the lack of vision and the small-mindedness and the meanness. And organizations like this that are pretty big, but by comparison, they’re flying under the radar, and they’re about generosity and kindness and decency,” Keaton said.

The Ireland Funds was founded in 1976 with three goals in mind: peace, culture, and charity. The initiative was started by former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and owner of the Steelers, Dan Rooney, and Anthony J.F. O’Reilly.

It has since grown to assist thousands of organizations worldwide.

“It, kind of, started out slow, to now see it, there are events across the country and different cities around the world. It’s great to see,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II.

The Ireland Funds has raised more than $750 million.