Irishman/Irishwoman of the Year

---

History of the Irishman/Irishwoman of the Year Dinner

Since its inception and reorganization, the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies presents an award of accomplishment to an outstanding Irish American who made their mark in their field of endeavor.

In selecting each year, the Grand Council feels inspired and proud that each award recipient is a proud American of Irish descent who has distinguished themselves by their leadership and dedication.

It’s no coincidence that five of our honorees (Connie Doolan, Dorthy Hayden Cudahy, John Lawe, Bill Burke, and Ed Sheerin) were elected Grand Marshals over 15 years from 1975 to 1990.

The Irishman/Irishwoman of the Year Dinner was usually held in November, and several venues have been used since 1975: Leonards of Great Neck, Astoria Manor, Antuns, and Durows.

2008 Past President Brian J. Sharkey spearheaded the Irishman/Irishwoman Dinner revival. Sharkey proposed that the Award dinner take place in December at Antuns. The Dinner would serve a dual purpose: 1) to recognize the Aide to the Grand Marshal as the Irishman/Irishwoman of the Year and 2) Grand Council Delegates Christmas Party.

The Dinner has become part of the Grand Council lexicon and is now a yearly stand-alone event in January held at Antun’s of Queens Village.

Recipients of the Irishman/Irishwoman of the Year Award since 1975

1975 James P. Moriarty, President of T. Moriarty and Sons Inc.

1976 Joseph Christian, Commissioner of NYC Housing Authority

1977 Denis Hanrahan, Executive Vice President of Aer Lingus Irish Airlines

1978 John Flynn, State Senator, representing Yonkers’ Irish contributions in Albany

1979 Monica Conway, Vice President of Bank of Ireland & Connie Doolan, Sales Manager at Guinness Harp Corp

1980 Ens Lanagan, Eastern Manager at CIE Tours & Jack Donohue, owner of Donohue Restaurant and Pub chain

1981 Jerry Toner, owner of Kennedy’s Pub & Dympna Kenny, Banking Executive, known as Offaly’s First Lady

1982 Hal Madden, Irish Business Leader at Transit Mix Concrete Corp & Bridie McManus, well-known Restauranteur and Travel Agent

1983 Jack McCarthy, Telecaster for NYC’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Mary O’Dowd, Irish American Entertainer

1984 Brother John G. Driscoll, President of Iona College & Dorothy Hayden Cudahy, Radio Personality

1985 Paschal McGuinness, President of NYC District Council of Carpenters

1986 Anna Monahan McElroy, Director of Housekeeping at New York Hilton & John Lawe, International President of Transport Workers Union of America

1987 William Joseph Burke, Senior Vice President of Bank of Ireland

1988 Barbara Kane O’Neill, noted Catholic Laywoman and supporter of Irish Culture

1989 Edward A. Sheeran, VP at Chase Bank, Queens Branch Network

1990 Joseph B. Buckley, owner of Katie Daly’s Restaurant in Massapequa, NY

1991 James J. Boyle, President of UFA of Greater New York

1992 Patrick J. Harvey, Business Agent of Local 608

1993 Rosemary Lombard, Treasurer of NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee & Terry Connaughton, owner of Riverdale Steakhouse

1995 Mary & Francis P. Beirne, outstanding Catholic Laywoman, Past Chair of Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee

1996 Judge Peter J. O’Donoghue, Past President of Saint Patrick’s Society

1997 Bob Burke, Chairman of Queens Surface Corporation

1998 ????, Justice, Suffolk County Court

1999 ????

2000 Msgr. Thomas P. Leonard, Irishman of the Year

Honorable Mario R. Biaggi, President’s Award

Dinner held at Durow’s of Glendale, NY

2001 No Honoree

2003 Eamon Donohoe, retired NYPD Sergeant and owner of The Saloon and The INN in Long Beach, NY

Irishman/woman of the Year and Aide to the Grand Marshal

2009 Denis Mulchay, Chairman, Project Children, NYPD ES

2010 Bernard Sullivan, DSNY ES

2011 Frank Beirne, FDNY ES

2012 William Fitzpatrick, WCFF ES,

2013 Honorable Robert J. Creighton, SCPO ES

2014 Honorable Edwin Day, Rockland County Executive

2015 Thomas Doyle, DSNY ES

2016 Keith Lavalle, GCUES Legal Counsel

2017 Brian Coughlan, NYPD ES

2018 Dr. Kathleen Cashin, NYCDOE ES

2019 Thomas B. Farrell, NYCD ES

2020-2021 Edward P. Boles, FDNY ES

2022 Honorable Edward Grayson, DSNY ES

2023 Patrick J. Lynch, NYPD ES

2024 Honorable Edward T. Cetnar, PAPD ES

2025 John Samuelsen, NYCTA ES

2026 Patrick J. Ryder, NCPES

January 21, 2026-2026 Irishman of the Year Dinner