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 Gerry 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
2002 -2002 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 Hon. William Fitzpatrick, WCFF ES,
2013 Hon. Robert J. Creighton, SCPO ES
2014 Hon. 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 Hon. Edward Grayson, DSNY ES
2023 Patrick J. Lynch, NYPD ES
2024 Hon. Edward T. Cetnar, PAPD ES
