The first twelve honorees to be recognised at the inaugural Irish Maritime Awards in New York on 16 April have been named.
They are:
Rich Davey, CEO Massport, Boston, MA (invited)
Bethann Rooney, Director Port of New York and New Jersey
Bill Murphy, Artist
Skye Quinn, Sailor
James Whalen, Executive Officer New Jersey Marine Terminal Command with Port Authority Police Department
Vincent Foley, Maritime Law Attorney, New York
Thomas Cassidy, Maritime Law Attorney, Washington D.C.
Frank Simpson, Chief of Marine Operation, FDNY
Senator Nick Collins, Boston, MA
Michael J. Laird, Manager of Container and Gate Opertions (Rtd.), Georgia Ports, Savannah, GA
Mallon Fitzpatrick, President Board of Directors Sag Harbor Whaling Museum, Staten Island, NYC
Brigadier General Michael Ira Neil, San Diego, CA
The cohort represent the very best traditions of maritime endeavor across many fields and epitomize Irish leadership in the sector.
Rich Davey, CEO of Massport, formerly served as head of the transit authority in New York City while Bethann Rooney is a seasoned port operative with deep roots in Ireland. Bethann Rooney
Skye Gurney-Quinn from New York was part of the winning team in the transatlantic leg of the Clipper Round The World Race and later this year will take part in a sailing race around Ireland. Artist Bill Murphy's stunning works inspired by the Staten Island waterfront were recently exhibited at the Nobel Gallery on the island. AT THE WHEEL: Skye Quinn
Michael J. Laird is a member of the AOH in Georgia. A respected leader and true Savannahian, he recently retired leaving an indelible mark on both the Georgia Ports and the cultural fabric of his hometown. Executive Officer James Whalen has devoted more than 25 years of distinguished service to the United States maritime sector with the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey, a tenure long enough to have seen multiple administrations and countless operational challenges.
State Senator Nick Collins, representing the First Suffolk District of South Boston, helped spearhead a resurgence of economic activity on Boston's waterfront through his tireless advocacy, policy making and partnerships with state and local authorities. He has visited Ireland many times and remains a prominent member of the Irish Caucus in the State legislature.
Frank Simpson has worked several ranks in structural firefighting for 27 years and 12 years in Marine Operations. Prior to working as an Engine Company Captain in the Bronx, Frank was the Unit Leader of the Annual Education Day at the FDNY Training Academy.
Mallon Fitzpatrick both preserves and promotes whaling history including ship captains and crew from America, Ireland and other nations at Sag Harbor Whaling Museum.
Brigadier General Mike Ira Neil is a storied Marine who has been a strong advocate for the naming of a US Navy ship in honor of his fellow Navy Cross awardee, Patrick Gallagher, USMC from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. That ship is now being built at the Bath Iron Works in Maine.
Attorneys Vincent Foley and Tom Cassidy are maritime law experts with deep roots in Ireland - Cassidy's mum haling from the Aran Islands. Foley focuses his practice on international shipping and transportation related contracts, litigation and arbitration proceedings.
Nominations are still open for the Irish maritime gala and can be submitted via our website.
