11th Annual Munster Rugby London Dinner Proves Huge Success
4th March 2026 By The Editor
A view of last month's London Dinner.
Munster Rugby’s Annual London Dinner took place at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square last month with over 300 people in attendance on the night which proved to be a huge success.
It was our 11th London Dinner and the event has been one of the most prestigious occasions in our rugby calendar since it was first held in 2014.
Once again this year, the Richard Harris Patrons’ Award recognised an individual who, through his or her life or work, encapsulates Munster Rugby’s values.
Richard Harris was a Munster Rugby patron in its truest sense, everywhere he went he espoused his love of Munster Rugby and what it meant to him.
The inaugural Richard Harris Award was presented to the Harris Family in 2014, followed by JP McManus in 2015, Daniel Tierney in 2016, Anthony Foley in 2017, Sir Niall FitzGerald in 2018, Garrett Fitzgerald in 2019, John Field in 2022 and Declan Kidney in 2023 before Keith Wood and Doug Howlett were the recepients in 2024 and 2025.
The recipient of the 2026 Richard Harris Award was An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking at last month’s Munster Rugby London Dinner.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin grew up in Turner’s Cross, just a stone’s throw away from Virgin Media Park. Martin has long been a supporter of Munster Rugby throughout his life with sport featuring heavily in the Cork man’s family. The Taoiseach is passionate not just about rugby but all sport and its ability to have a positive impact in communities. For many years, he has regularly been part of the Red Army cheering on Munster at Thomond Park and Virgin Media Park.
Earlier this season, the Taoiseach was present to officially open the province’s Cork Centre of Excellence at Virgin Media Park. Martin has directly contributed to Munster Rugby with his strong support for this project which is Munster Rugby’s second-largest capital project ever. The €7.3 million facility will not only cater for Munster Rugby’s grassroots game but it will also serve the local community across a range of sports for children and adults of all ages.
