Awards
IRISH PERSON OF THE YEAR
The Irish Person/s of the Year is the Division's Highest Honor, given each year to a person (or persons) who exemplifies the Hibernian motto of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity. Past recipients include (some of our better) politicians, civic leaders, Hibernians, priests, nuns, and religious brothers, a group of school-children (they produced a play on the Great Hunger in Ireland), and Irish publicans and shopkeepers... They have all used their talents to better humanity.
The Irish Person/s of the Year receives a proclamation and an engraved black-thorn Irish walking stick. The IPOY/s also serve/s as the Grand Marshal/s of the annual St. Patrick's Parade, accompanied by the mayor (if available) in a horse-drawn carriage.
2010 Irishmen of the Year: Dr. Pearse Lyons
Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech, was born in Dublin, Ireland and received his B.Sc. in biochemistry from the National University of Ireland, an M.Sc. in brewing technology and subsequently a Ph.D. in biochemistry of yeast from the University of Birmingham, England.
Using his in-depth knowledge of fermentation technology, Lyons moved to the U.S. and founded Alltech in 1980 with $10,000 and a dream. Headquartered in Lexington, the company is a global leader in the animal health industry, boasting group sales of more than $400 million. The company employs more than 1,900 people and has a presence in 120 countries around the world.
Alltech remains a privately held company with a strong sense of commitment to the communities it operates in. Celebrating 30 years in business, Alltech is the title sponsor for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, Sept. 25 – Oct. 10 (the first time ever held in the U.S). Supporting many causes, Lyons helped establish the Alltech-Muhammad Ali Center Global Education and Charitable Fund.
Dr. Lyons received the State Export Award for Kentucky and was acknowledged by World Trade Magazine as the leader of a the top 100 fastest growing high-tech companies. He was the Kentucky recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year in 1993. Lyons has been recognized for his contributions to science and industry and has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Plymouth, England, and Heriot-Watt University, Scotland. His Alma mater, National University of Ireland, Dublin, selected Lyons as one of its honorary doctorates on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. Recently, he was recognized as one of the top 15 Irish-American life scientists of the year by Biolink USA-Ireland.
2009 Irishmen of the Year: Donal Ryan & Tadgh O'Callaghan
Donal and Tadgh have been great friends of the Irish-American community in Louisville since moving here to own and operate Molly Malone's Irish Pub and Restaurant, which now boasts three locations: the Highlands and St. Matthews in Louisville and one in Covington, KY.
2008 Irish Person of the Year: Tom O'Shea
Tom O'Shea and partners are the proud owners of O'Shea's Irish Pub, Flanagan's Ale House, and Brendan's in St. Matthews. They are also big believers in giving back: to Fight Crimes Against Children, House of Ruth, Sudanese Relief Fund, Muscular Dystrophy, Special Olympics and Maryhurst Home. Along with the staff of all the restaurants, Tom organized “Katie's Day,” a benefit for a former co-worker’s daughter who was tragically injured on a ride at Six Flags. They raised over $35,000 to help meet some of the family’s immediate financial needs...
Tom and his partners sponsor the annual St. Patrick's Parade, the Week in the Highlands, and the Hibernians’ "Halfway to Saint Patrick's Day" and "Irish New Year's Eve" events. It's Tom’s belief that we are one community despite our differences — that we can use our differences to make our community stronger in a spirit of brotherhood and cooperation…
2007 Irish Persons of the Year: Patrick John Hughes and Patrick Henry Hughes
This father-son team has drawn national attention: Patrick Henry, a freshman at the University of Louisville, is in the Cardinal marching band with the help of his father, who pushes him in his wheelchair. Young Patrick is also blind: he doesn't let anything slow him down, though... like his parents, Patrick is an accomplished musician and plays both piano and trumpet. The family has been featured many times on national television and has performed in Spain and across the country. Both gentlemen promote the Crusade for Children and are active members of St. Bartholomew (young Patrick is a lector and both are music ministers).
For pictures of the Irish Persons of the Year (past and present), click here
For a listing of all past AOH award recipients, click here
Matt Talbot Award
see 2008 recipient at left center ... click to see the '07 recipient
Venerable Matt Talbot (1856-1925) was born into the poverty of Dublin's inner city and started drinking at the age of 12. After 16 years of addiction, a priest helped him by giving him a rehabilitation program which providentially included the Twelve Steps. Matt found sobriety through prayer and self sacrifice, and he remained sober for the last 40 years of his life.
Matt Talbot remains an inspiration for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts around the world. Once a self-centered alcoholic, Matt Talbot came to show outstanding kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness to his family, neighbors, and fellow workers. Matt Talbot is considered "Venerable" (a step to sainthood) by the Catholic Church.
The Matt Talbot Award goes to an individual who aids those suffering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
In 2009, the individual chosen asked to remain anonymous in keeping with his sponsor's advice.
The 2008 winner was
Retired Hall of Fame Jockey Pat Day
Past Recipients:
David Thompson, John W. Kennedy, Jim Davis, Ron McKiernan
Fr. Matt Brennan Award
Named after an early chaplain of the AJ Ryan Division, this award is presented each year during the St. Patrick's festivities to an AOH member who goes above and beyond for the Order and his brothers.
2009 Recipient:
Daniel K. McKiernan
Past RecipientsColoring Contest Winners:
These are announced at the annual AOH Mass in commemoration of St. Patrick. About 5,000 children grades K - 4 enter this wax-crayon only contest, hoping to win either from among students in their grade or the Grand Prize, a $100 US Savings Bond. All winners receive their framed entry and a contest t-shirt, and march with us in the St. Patrick's Parade.
In 2009, as in 2008, the Contest will have a seperate Irish Division courtesy King Southern Bank.
KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK
From about 1985 to 1990 in Louisville, there was a tradition of "knighting" men and women who contributed to Irish culture in Louisville, most notably those that worked and made possible the Heritage Weekends on the Louisville Belvedere (on the river) and the St. Patrick's Parade.
In 2006 and 2007, the AOH inducted five worthy knights into the "Order of St. Patrick" at our Wearin' O' the Green Party (see St. Pat's Season page for more details) and we plan on another great class this year. Inductees and past recipients will receive a custom lapel pin (above). Of course there is no connection between the AOH award and the order of knighthood initiated in the 1780s by the same name...
2006 Knights:
- Peggy Baas, Louisville Irish Fest org. president
- J. Kelly McKnight, Irish Fest board member/2-term AOH past pres.
2007 Knights:
- Billy Whelan, authority on the the Civil War Irish and AOH brother
- Heather McClanahan, founder of the McClanahan School of Irish Dance in Louisville
- Doris Batliner, authority/author on the Irish in Louisville/Portland (KY)
2008 Knights:
- Connie Fry, outgoing president of the Irish Society of Kentuckiana
- J Kenneth McKiernan, past AOH President and active 40 year member
- Mark Rosenthal, musician and leader of the group "Cloigheann"
- Greg Byrne, musician and leader of the group "Guilderoy Byrne"
- Kathy Burgess, owner of All Things Celtic, Irish step-dancer dress-maker, and Irish Art Contest curator
- Willie Higgins, one of our senior Hibernians and a great ambassador, golfer, and family man
- Fred & Dell Courtney, organizers of over 10 AOH St. Patrick's Parade
Above: Vince O'Neill accepting the Brennan Award in 07 (click to see Gene Noonan in '06)
Below: Knights of St. Patrick 2007 inductee Heather McClanahan Ackerman. Click to see '07 Knight Billy Whelan.
What a backdrop!
