By Denis Griffin
MAYOR Pat McCarthy concluded his official visit to the United States on Friday evening as guest of honour at the Kerrymen’s Patriotic and Benevolent Association of New York’s Dinner in Westchester in Yonkers.
President Loretta King warmly welcomed the Mayor and Kerry Tourism Officer John Griffin. The Association founded in 1881 has been a great supporter of Kerry people in their hour of need and other charities, including most recently, Kerry people working in the Third World.
It also provides scholarship support for young people of Kerry heritage seeking further education and most recently the Kerry GAA Centre of excellence.
Last evening, the Association honoured two members – John Riordan, from Brandon, former president of New York GAA and attorney Sean Coffey, whose father hailed from Cahersiveen – for their work in the community.
In his address, the Mayor praised the work of the Kerry Association and the leadership provided by Loretta King, the first female President, and Vice President John Fleming.
He spoke emotionally about his participation in Thursday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, walking with members under the banners of St. Brendan and Thomas Ashe down Fifth Avenue.
“You have to be here to experience it,” he said. “The entire city centre comes to a standstill and everyone of every race is Irish for the day. What a showcase for Ireland.”
He recalled the events of 1916 and the crucial role New York played when the Associatiion sent a $1000 – an enormous sum 100 years ago – to the rebel leaders in Dublin.
He mentioned specifically the role of Kerry men and women in the Rising and the cable sent by the Ring Brothers from the Valentia Trans-Atlantic Cable Station to John Devoy, informing the Irish in New York even before the British knew aboiut it in London. It cost them their jobs and earned them a term in Frongoch Prison in Wales.
He said a large programme of commemorative evnts were being planned around the county and invited them to visit during the historic year.
He also mentioned other events like the Tralee 800 Celebrations in mid June and the Valentia Trans-Atlantic Cable 150 Celebrations in July.
Tourism was the backbone of the Kerry economy, worth over €400m, and each Kerry person abroad ought to be an Ambassador for the county, promoting it at every opportunity.
The Mayor mentioned specifically the Rose of Tralee organisation and its wide ranging ambassadorial role for the county and Ireland and the fact that over 20 current and former roses and escorts travelled from different parts of the world at their own expense to walk under the Kerry banner in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The event was overshadowed a little by the death of Mike Keane, a past president, whose funeral took place earlier in the evening. A minutes silence was observed and prayers offered by Chaplain, Fr. Brian Coffey from Beaufort.
Scroll down for photos by Denis Griffin of the Mayor and those attending at the event…
