We are delighted to announce that this year's charity partner for our Leinster Society Christmas Lunch is the Irish Youth Foundation (IYF). The Irish Youth Foundation (IYF) was set up 40 years ago by Norma Smurfit with the sole mission of ensuring that every young person in Ireland has access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive. In that time, they have invested over €30 million in young people and given 500,000 children and young people the opportunities, mentors, and safe spaces they need to thrive. They fund and support community-based projects that provide safe spaces, trusted mentors, and opportunities for personal growth, helping young people build confidence, resilience, and brighter futures. Their work focuses on addressing the root causes of inequality by investing in youth services that tackle issues such as poverty, mental health, education gaps, and social exclusion. Through strategic partnerships and targeted funding, they enable grassroots organisations to deliver high-impact programmes where they’re needed most. However, the need for the work they support has never been greater. 1 in 5 children in Ireland are living in poverty and 1 in 10 are experiencing consistent deprivation lacking access to basic resources, opportunities, and support systems.  The funds that we can raise at our Christmas Lunch this year  for the IYF is vital to help them meet this growing need and ensure that every child has the chance to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. A Youth Worker's story of guiding a young man to his Junior Cert Mary, a Youth Worker, has been working with a young man in her project since the age of 8. She remembers a day when she had to go to the child’s school to advocate on his behalf. The child was being expelled for bad behaviour, which had culminated in the boy hitting his teacher. The school could no longer tolerate this behaviour. Mary met with the Principal and filled him in on the child’s back story. The kind of story that often remains hidden. Unless there’s a caring and supportive adult in your life. This young boy’s story was harrowing. His father was physically, emotionally and mentally abusive to his wife and two children. The young boy witnessed his father physically attack his mother on numerous occasions and experienced significant abuse himself. The father was involved in gangland activity and eventually ended up in prison. A kind neighbour brought the boy a puppy to help him adjust. When his Dad returned from prison, he saw how much his son loved the puppy and in order to re-instate his authority, on his first day home he broke the dog’s neck, in front of his son, and threw him over the balcony of the flat complex. The following day the boy attacked his teacher in school. On foot of Mary’s advocacy, the boy was allowed to stay in school and Mary has continued to support him. A few years later, this same young boy was the victim of a horrific attack. A rival criminal gang petrol-bombed the boy’s family home. He, his mother and sister suffered horrific injuries. They spent months recovering in ICU. Mary was abroad at the time, with the Irish Youth Foundation, taking part in a fundraising challenge. She flew straight home to support the boy and his family. Last year, Mary spoke at one of our fundraising events and told us this story. The same young boy had just completed his Junior Cert Maths paper and had phoned Mary to tell her it had gone well. He is on track to complete his post primary education and hopefully go on to 3rd level education. All over Ireland, Youth Workers like Mary are advocating on behalf of lost young people every day. Note: Names and minor details have been changed to protect identities.  

ESB has been announced as the Overall Winner for this year’s Chartered Accountants Leinster Society Published Accounts Awards, in addition to winning the ‘Statutory or Unlisted Entity (IFRS)’ Award category.  The Leinster Society have been proudly hosting the Published Accounts Awards for 48 years. These awards honour outstanding achievement in corporate reporting; celebrating companies across the island of Ireland that demonstrate excellence, transparency, and innovation in financial communication. Companies simply submit their annual report, which then goes through a round of technical reviewing, before a team of external judges make their final decision. A lot of hard work goes into producing the annual reports, and the Leinster Society are proud to showcase that hard work. The awards, sponsored by Euronext and Arachas, took place in the Shelbourne Hotel on Thursday 6 November, with host Mario Rosenstock who had us all laughing from the moment he stepped into the room in a questionable wig. From beginning to end there was a buzz of excitement and energy in the room. A total of 27 public and private companies, and 9 not-for-profit organisations competed as finalists across thirteen distinct awards categories. A huge congratulations to all of our winners, see full list below. Check out the photos of the night here. Award 2025 Winner Euronext Dublin (Large Cap > €1bn) Glanbia Euronext Dublin (SME < €1bn) Dalata Company Listed on a Foreign Market Grafton Group Euronext Growth Award Uniphar Statutory or Unlisted Entity (IFRS) ESB Statutory or Unlisted Entity (Non-IFRS) daa Arachas Large Not-for-Profit Concern Worldwide Arachas Small / Medium Not-for-Profit Dogs Trust Sustainability & ESG Reporting Award (UnlistedEntity) Northern Ireland Water Diversity & Inclusion Award (Listed orUnlistedEntity) Bank of Ireland Diversity & Inclusion Award (Not-for-Profit) The Wheel Branding, Communication & Digital Award Dogs Trust Overall Winner ESB   'ESB’s Finance team works closely with colleagues across the organisation to produce an Annual Report which provides our stakeholders with the financial and non-financial information they need to understand ESB’s performance, business model, net zero strategy and contribution to Irish society. This award is testimony to the hard work of our people over many years to continuously raise the standards of our Annual Report year-on-year. The theme of our Annual Report this year was “Empowering the Sustainable Energy Transition”, and we put a particular focus on our disclosures around “Planet, Place and People” in advance of the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, which ESB will be voluntarily applying. ' Stephen Walsh, Group Financial Performance Manager, ESB "Dogs Trust Ireland is honoured to receive two Published Accounts Awards. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team and their commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence. Sharing the impact of our work openly with our supporters and stakeholders is central to who we are, and it’s deeply rewarding to see that commitment acknowledged in this way." Karla Dunne, Interim Executive Director, Dogs Trust “daa is delighted to receive this Published Accounts Award for our 2024 Annual Report. It’s a fantastic recognition from the Society of the hard work and collaboration that goes into producing our annual report with our auditors EY and our design partners Emperor. Thank you to everyone involved in organising a superb awards night.”  Kevin Cullinane, Deputy Director of Communications, daa  “We are absolutely delighted and honoured to win this prestigious award which is a true reflection of the time and effort that goes into the production of the Annual Report from cross functional teams across the Glanbia organisation. It is a true example of working together to produce quality output.” Marian Ryan, Assistant Group Financial Controller, Glanbia “Sustainability reporting extends beyond mere disclosure; it represents a commitment to accountability, transparency, and alignment with the Paris Agreement targets. By realigning strategies with science-based goals and conducting a double materiality assessment, businesses can integrate emission reduction, water and biodiversity conservation, robust social and governance practices, and sustainable finance considerations into their strategic planning. To achieve meaningful progress, organisations should also embed circular economy principles, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and enhance climate resilience. Companies that adopt this holistic approach are better positioned to drive responsible growth, create long-term value, and contribute to a sustainable global economy.” Anthony Raivellur, Judge, Former EY and Deloitte Sustainability Professional "The judging panel were incredibly impressed by the high quality of each report shortlisted, and the responsible teams should be immensely proud of their talent and dedication.  he ultimate winner in each category stood out by exemplifying the high standards of quality that we were looking for and have set a standard that other plcs, unlisted companies and charities can aspire to "  Maeve O'Connor, Judge and Group Financial Controller , Hostelworld “The standard of accounts continues to improve year on year with a noticeable effort for accounts to refer to risk factors and strategy achievements.  The leading accounts all have unique and helpful aspects such as informative  graphs and 5 year comparison tables” Gavin O’Flaherty, Judge and corporate partner, William Fry  “It was encouraging to see sustainability approached more holistically this year. The best reports moved beyond environmental checklists and spoke about people, community, and purpose. When brands align sustainability with authentic human connection, that’s when it becomes a meaningful part of their identity.” The full judging panel for the Branding, Communication and Digital Award: Larry Byrne of Larry Byrne Design  Andrea Kavanagh of Resonate Design Barbara Monahan of CUBE Design    

When it comes to our events we don't like to pick favourites, but we must admit the Leinster Society Annual Christmas Lunch is up there at the top! So we are delighted to announce its return this December. When: Friday 5 December from 12.00pm Where: The Dublin Royal Convention Centre Price: €135 per person Join us, Santa, and our very special guest, sell-out comedian Andrew Maxwell, as we kick off the festive season while raising money for the Irish Youth Foundation, with a fantastic raffle, a delicious lunch and lot's of fun. Tickets are on sale now at €135 per person or €1,350 for a table of ten. A limited number of larger tables can be accommodated, get in touch to enquire. To book your tickets email us at LeinsterSociety@charteredaccountants.ie. This event is kindly sponsored by our friends in cpl. Due to limited seating at this event please note our Cancellation Policy: •    Cancellations may be made up to 2 weeks in advance and will not incur any fee. •    No shows, or those cancelling within this 2 week period of the event, will be charged in full. Regional Christmas Dinners Meath Christmas Dinner We are delighted to be expanding our regional Christmas dinners this year, with a trip to Navan, Co. Meath. Join us, and fellow local members, for an evening of good food and great company in fabulous venue; Bellinter House. When: Thursday 20 November Where: Bellinter House Price: €50pp Time: 7pm 'til late  Kilkenny Christmas Dinner When: Wednesday 26 November Where: Zuni Restaurant  Price: €55pp Time: 7pm 'til late Wexford Christmas Dinner When: Thursday 27 November Where: Kelly's Resort & Spa Hotel, Rosslare Price: €80pp Time: 7pm 'til late  To book any of these regional dinners please email  Leinstersociety@charteredaccountants.ie with the name of the location.