The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Our Lady of the Rosary Division in Ohio is teaming up with is the Ancient Order of Hibernians Boland Berry Division for a special event in honor of St. Brigid and St. Patrick on Saturday February 4, starting with Mass at 4.30 p.m. and followed by dinner and dancing to the music of the Kilroys.
The event will be held at the West Side Irish American Club in Olmsted Township, Ohio.
Said a release from organizers: "Hibernian of the Year John Myers will be introduced as the 2023 Hibernian of the Year. John currently is a member of the AOH Boland-Berry Division where he is the Freedom for all Ireland Chair and serves as a State Director for the Ohio State Board of the AOH and as State Immigration chair, pushing and advocating for a fair and comprehensive immigration reform legislation, conscious of our common immigrant roots.
"He served as a national board member of the Irish American Democrats Working with fellow Irish Americans, John was very active in the MacBride Principle’s Campaign for Fair Employment, helping raise awareness of the severe employment discrimination in the Six Counties; organizing, demonstrating, writing legislation, testifying before fact finding committees. He is a very active member of the Irish Community of Cleveland.
"In addition to being a member of the AOH, John is a delegate to the United Irish Societies representing the Irish American Archives Society, member of Irish Northern Aid, columnist for the iIrish Newspaper and the Co-Chair of the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. John and his wife, Mary Eileen Kilbane (Judge, 8th District Court of Appeals) live in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood where they raised their two daughters: Therese (Tess) and Joanna (Jo) Out of Law School John went on too many years of public service with the Lakewood Prosecutor, Public Defender, Cleveland Law Department and Cuyahoga County.
"Also, Myers worked for over a decade in the law offices of former Congressman Robert Emmett Sweeney, a renowned trial attorney and a lifelong advocate for the cause of Irish Freedom. Sweeney had been a national director of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and his Father before him, Martin L. Sweeney, had been the National President of the Hibernians.
"The United Irish Societies Honorees will also be introduced for the first time at an event that starts the St. Patrick’s Day Season in Cleveland, Ohio
"Grand Marshal for the 2023 Parade is Michael 'Mickey' Coyne an active member of the Irish Community. Never one to sit back and watch others work; Mickey became a charter member of the Irish American Club East Side and has served numerous terms as President over the years. The Coyne Family truly lived by the Irish motto 'Céad míle fáilte, a 100 Thousand Welcomes. to all who came to their home. A trait Mickey continues to live by and instilled in his children: Meghan, Kevin, Erin, Seamus, and Michael Patrick, thirteen Grandchildren and three Great Grandchildren. Compassion carries over to Mickey’s professional life as a Funeral Director for over fifty years with the McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home. Serving families from generation to generation he treats all with kindness no matter their financial circumstances
"The 2023 Irish Mother of the Year is Bridget Conway. Bridget Campbell Conway is from Doona, Ballycroy, County Mayo Ireland. She married Manus Conway They had six children: Nora Margaret (deceased) Anne, Rose, Frank, Colleen and Keith. Bridget also dearly loves her six grandchildren; Cailin, Aidan, Jamie, Jimmy, Bridget and Norah. ” She is and always has been involved in furthering and contributing to Irish Culture. Bridget owns every aspect of her Motherhood; the day to day dedication and the strength to lead, yet maintains a passion for friends, relatives and neighbors
"The 2023 PARADE Co-Chairs are Kevin McDonough and Maureen Cavanaugh. Kevin is a member and member of the Board of Trustees of the West Side Irish American Club.
"Organization being one of Kevin’s attributes added to the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival’s success as the Food Service Coordinator and Stage Emcee. Maureen Cavanaugh is very active in the Irish Community. Maureen is a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Irish American Club East Side, Delegate to the United Irish Societies and the Murphy Irish Arts Association. She is a certified Teacher of Irish Dance with An Coimisiun in Ireland. Over the years, she has volunteered at the Irish Cultural Garden. She is one of the key people in making the Irish Garden successful on One World Day every August. Maureen organizes our entry in the Parade of Nations and the display booths."
