Welcome

Welcome to the virtual home of The Grand Council of United Emerald Societies.

Reorganized in 1975 the Grand Council has a membership of over 25,000 members and serves as the umbrella group of 25 Affiliated Emerald Societies.

The membership of our Affiliated Emerald Societies serve in front-line professions such as Law Enforcement, Fire Service, EMS, Education, Sanitation, Mass Transit and Public Utilities.

The Grand Council has Affiliates in the State of New York located in New York City, New York Metropolitian area (Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester counties), New York Hudson Valley Region (Dutchess, Orange, Ulster and Putnam counties), State of New Jersey, State of Massachusetts and the Washington D.C. Area.

The Grand Council usually meets on the first Wednesday of the month at a different location in NYC, Westchester, and Long Island. No meetings are held in July and August

There is no January meeting; instead, we will have our 2022 GCUES Irishman of the Year Dinner on Wednesday, January 5, 2021, at Antun’s of Queens Village. Please go to our 2022 GCUES Irishman of the Year Dinner page for ticket reservation or journal information.

For our next meeting, the Grand Council returns to Long Island, Brooklyn, NY on Wednesday, February 2, 2021 (7:30 pm). Yes, Brooklyn is on Long Island. More details to follow next month.

Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoí mhaíse daoíbh Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Fraternally,

PETER F. WHALEN,

President

Ní neart go cur le chéile

There’s no strength without unity

Learn more

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THE IRISH EXAMINER

NYC SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Ní neart go cur le chéile
(There’s no strength without unity)

AROUND THE EMERALD GREEN

Death Notification*

Past President Patrick Comaskey

**Patrick Francis Comaskey**
**March 1, 1932 – June 28, 2021**

Patrick Francis Comaskey, a long-time resident of Wallington, NJ. passed away peacefully with his family in South Carolina at the age of 89. Patrick (Frank) was born on March 1st, 1932, in Mullingar, Ireland. As a young man, he joined the British Army and served in the Royal Mechanical Engineers during the Korean War in 1954-1955.

He received his college degree from Hunter’s College in New York and went on to a long and successful career as an accountant with the United States Customs service. Throughout his career, Patrick remained closely connected to his Irish culture and heritage, serving as the President of the US Customs Emerald Society and Grand Council of Emerald Societies, as Aide to the Grand Marshall in the New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and establishing March as Irish Heritage month with the US Custom’s organization. Irish music and dancing were a consistent part of Patrick’s family life, and he was an avid collector of musical instruments and military memorabilia.

Patrick was a quick-witted, discerning man who embodied the values of hard work and grit. He equally appreciated a joke, a good laugh, and a well-poured pint. He will be dearly missed. Patrick will return home to Mullingar, Ireland, for burial.

*Late notification (Posted online on July 23, 2021, Published in Record and Herald News).

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Peter F. Whalen, Presiden

Irish Echo Community Champions Awards

AOH Bronx County Board Dinner

President Peter F Whalen led the Grand Council delegation to the AOH Bronx County Board Dinner on Sunday, November 21, 2021, at Rory Dolans’. The Dinner was dedicated to the 1981 Hunger Strikers’ American Legacy and honored Former Congressman Elliot Engel, AOH National President Danny O’Connell, County Tipperary Association President Nuala Purcell, and Irish Northern Aid Michael Shanley.