St. Patrick's PARADE & related 2010
Abram J Ryan Div (Louisville, Ky) ANCIENT ORDER of HIBERNIANS
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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. 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. Both gentlemen are from Ireland and both are busy family men: Tadgh has three children and Donal is busy with one toddler. In addition to their support of the St. Patrick's Parade, Molly's has been a big supporter of Boys' Haven and Spina Bifida Association. 2008 Irish Person of the Year: Tom O'Shea 2007 Irish Persons of the Year 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 |
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| 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 |
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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:
2007 Knights:
2008 Knights:
2009 KNIGHTS:
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| 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 Recipients |
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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. |
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Coloring 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. |
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What a backdrop! |
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