Heroes saluted at Echo gala in 'Capital of Irish America'

A full house raised glasses high to standout community ambassadors at the second annual Heroes of Irish America gala in Buffalo, NY last night.

Among guests of honor at the celebration of the cream of Irish America were Belfast Lord Mayor Micky Murray, Congressman Tim Kennedy, Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon and newly-minted Honorary Consul General of Ireland in Buffalo, Kathleen Higgins Greeley.

Addressing the 250-strong audience, Deputy Consul General of Ireiand in New York Katie Daughan paid tribute to the endeavor and commitment of the 2025 honorees. 

FORUM: Roundtable in the BankonBuffalo with Hon Consul Kathleen Higgins Greeley in the chair

Among awardees were, Guardian of the Ports recipient Ed Seebald of Buffalo, Origin 1st Theatre linchpin Kate Shea Kennon who received the Arts Ambassador Award, Sullivan's Brewing Company founder (and Buffalo native) Michael Meade who picked up the Taste of Ireland Award, and ousted American Irish Historical Society director Dr. Elizabeth Stack. 

Before the gala event in the Buffalo Irish Center, key attendees meet for an 'Economic Roundtable', hosted by Michael Anderson of BankonBuffalo in the city's iconic Electric Tower building where maintaining strong transatlantic relations despite tariff turbulence was on the agenda.