 |
| --2007
Dignitary |
Tony Dempsey
 Tony was first elected to Dáil Éireann May 2002. He is 57 years old. Tony is married to Gemma and they have 5 children: Muiris, Rhona, Shane, Fergal and Anton.
The Dempsey's have been living in Barntown for 20 years. Tony retired from teaching 3 years ago after 35 years in the profession.
He was the principal of Enniscorthy Vocational College from 1996 to 2000. When he was appointed Principal of Sheilbaggan Vocational School in south west Wexford in 1975, he was one of the youngest ever school principals in a vocational school in Ireland.
Tony is a staunch member of the GAA. He has been involved with every inter-county hurling and football team in County Wexford either as a trainer, selector or manager. Tony trained the Wexford Junior Football team to Leinster success in 2000 when they beat Dublin. He has been a member of the GAA Central Council over 20 years. Tony was appointed chairman of Wexford County Board in 1976 at 35 years of age, becoming one of the youngest ever persons to hold the position.
|
| --2006
Dignitary |
|
 Michael Finucane
Michael Finucane is a member of the Irish Senate and lives in County Limerick. He will represent the Republic of Ireland at the Emmetsburg St. Patrick’s Day Association 2006 celebration.
Michael lives in Newcastle West and was born in 1943. He is married to Hannah and they have two daughters, Siobhan and Deirdre, and one son, Michael. Michael was educated in the Secondary School at Foynes and subsequently worked in a diversity of occupations, which included teaching also worked with a State Training Organisation FAS for 11 years. Senator Finucane was also involved in coordinating the Construction Project Recruitment for up to 5,000 employees for an Alumina Plant namely Aughinish Alumina Ltd. He also ran his own Recruitment Training Consultancy Business.
He was elected to Limerick County Council in 1985 and remained a member of the Council up to 2003. Senator Finucane has about 18 years experience in local administration. He was first selected as a Dail Deputy in 1989 and held that position up to 2002. In 2002 he successfully contested the Senate. Senator Finucane is one of a small number of politicians whose political experience spans both the Dail, the Senate and the County Council. His active political experience spans about 21 years.
Michael has represented his Party in many areas during his political career. He was formerly Chairman of the prestigious Public Accounts Committee. He is the Fine Gael Party Spokesperson for the Senate on Communications and Natural Resources and is a member of the Joint Committee in this area. He is the Deputy Party Leader for Fine Gael in the senate and is also Vice Chairman of the Constitution Committee.
On this trip Michael will be accompanied by his wife, Hannah. His main interests are all sports and his main forms of recreation are swimming and walking. |
| --2005
Dignitary |
|  John
Carty
John Carty, T. D. is a Fianna Fail Member of the Irish Parliament
representing County Mayo. He will represent the Republic
of Ireland in Emmetsburg. John was born in Knock, Co. Mayo
and makes his home in Claremorris, Co. Mayo. He married
Kathleen Reagan and together have two daughters and six
sons. John was educated at Knock National School, St. Patrick’s
College, Ballyhaunis Warrenstown Agricultural College, Co.
Meathand National University of Ireland, Maynoorth Co. Kindare
(Diploma in Local History). John worked as an Agricultural
Officer and Farmer prior to his election to Dail Eireann
(Irish Parliament) in May 2002. He is currently a member
of the Joint Committees: Social and Family Affairs (Convenor),
Agriculture and Food, British/Irish Inter-Parliamentary
Body. John is also Vice-President of Aughamore GGA (Gaelic
Athletic Association) Club and Chairman of South Mayo Family
Research Centre, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. His hobbies include
Gaelic Football, local history, genealogy, and reading.
John’s wife Kathleen will accompany him to Emmetsburg.
|
| --2004 Dignitary |
 Pat
Breen, T.D.
Pat Breen, T.D. is a Fine Gael member of
the Irish Parliament and represents County Clare. He will
represent the Republic of Ireland at the Emmetsburg St.
Patrick's Day Association 2004 Celebration.
Pat was born in Ballynacally in 1957 and
continues to live here in the family home. He is married
to the former Anne McInerney from Killimer, Kilrush and
they have two sons, Kenneth and Patrick.
Pat was educated in St. Flannan's College
in Ennis, County Clare and also at Limerick Technical College
where he graduated as an Architectural Technician in the
late 1970's. He was elected to Clare County Council in 1999
when he secured the highest Fine Gael vote in the county
on his first attempt. He is also currently a member of the
Clare V.E.C. (Clare Vocational Educational Committee). Pat
has extensive experience in European Affairs where he worked
closely with a member of the European Parliament, John Cushnahan
from 1989 to 2002. During that period he visited Europe
extensively, particularly Brussels and Strasbourg with Irish
Groups looking at the European Parliament and the way it
works. Pat Breen is a new Dail Deputy and is Fine Gael Deputy
Spokesperson on Transport and also party spokesperson on
Shannon Airport. Over the last two years, as a member of
the Irish Parliament he has been a strong voice for the
retention of the Irish American Bilateral Agreement and
a strong voice for Shannon Airport. He recently prepared
a paper on the Future of Shannon for the Fine Gael front
bench. He is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee
on Transport, the Select Committee on Transport and also
a member of the privileges and prestigious committee that
is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle. He is also a member of
the House Services Committee. Pat will be accompanied on
this trip by his wife Anne. His major interests are traveling,
walking and has a great interest in Gaelic Football and
Hurling. |
| --2003 Dignitary |
 Denis
O'Donovan
Denis O'Donovan,
T.D., FF is a member of the Irish Parliament and will represent
the Republic of Ireland at the Emmetsburg St. Pat's Association
St. Patrick's Day Celebration, March 9th through March 16th.
O'Donovan was born in Bantry, Cork County, Ireland in 1955
and currently resides there. He is married to the former
Mary Gerard Murphy and they have two sons and two daughters.
O'Donovan graduated from The University College at Cork
with an honors Law Degree in 1975 at the age of 19. He was
elected as the youngest-ever Chairman to Cork County Council
in 1989. He was elected to the senate in 1997 on the Industrial
and Commercial Panel. He was appointed as a spokesperson
on justice, equality, and law reform in the senate from
1989 - 1993 and again from 1997 - 2002. The Taoiseach (Prime
Minister) appointed him to the All Party Oireachtas Committee
on the Constitution as the only Fianna Fail Senator. He
was also appointed to the All Party Committee on Justice,
Equality, Law Reform, and Women's Rights. The Taoiseach,
Bertie Ahern, has appointed him as current Chairman of the
All Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, one
of the most senior positions outside the Cabinet.
|
| --2002
Dignitary |
 Dan
Neville
Dan Neville, T.D., FG
is a member of the Irish Parliament and will represent the
Republic of Ireland at the Emmetsburg St. Pat's Association’s
2002 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, March10th thru March
17. Neville was born in Croagh in 1946 and currently resides
in Kiltannan, Croagh, Co. Limerick. His is married to the
former Goretti O’Callaghan and they have two sons and
two daughters. Neville was educated at Adare CBS, Co. Limerick:
University of Limerick, School of Management Studies: University
College, Cork (Industrial Engineering, Personnel Management,
Social Science). Prior to becoming a full-time public representative,
he was a personnel manager. Dan Neville is a new Dail deputy
and Fine Gael spokesperson on Children since 1997. Hew was
a Senator, Labor Panel, 1989-1997; Deputy leader of Fine Gael
in the Seanad and spokesperson on Justice and Law Reform 1992-97.
Neville is a member of the Limerick County Council since 1985;
Mid-Western Health board since 1991; Association of Health
Boards since 1991 and the General Council of County Councils
since 1991.Mrs. Neville will accompany her husband to Emmetsburg
for the celebration. |
| --2001
Dignitary |
 Alderman
Dennehy
Alderman Dennehy, was elected to the Dail at
the 1987,1989 and 1997 General Elections. Deputy Dennehy is
vice-chairman of the Dail's Public Accounts Committee. He
is a member of the Government Whip on it's Finance and Public
Services Committee and a member of the Health Committee. He
was Assistant Government Chief Whip from 1989/1992 and Co-Chairman
of a committee of the British/Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body
for the same period. Dennehy was educated at Scoil Chriost
Ri in Cork. At Sharman Crawford Technical Institute and Cork
College of Commerce. Prior to becoming a full-time politician,
he worked as an Engineering Supervisor in the Irish Steel
Company. Dennehy is a member and Alderman of Cork City Corporation
since 1974. In local government, he has an unequalled election
record, being the poll topper in four of his five elections
to date. He is leader of the Fianna Fail party and the major
Government party on the city council. He was Lord Mayor of
Cork in 1983/1984. His special interests are Health, Finance,
Planning and Community Developement. Dennehy has served the
city of Cork as a member of The Board of Governors of University
College Cork, as a Director of Cork Opera House, a member
of the Cork/Kerry Regional Authority and on numerous other
external bodies. Dennehy and his wife, Phil, have 5 sons a
2 daughters. John says politics is his hobby as well as his
profession but he has a great interest in Fishing and attending
Gaelic Football and Hurling games and reading. His major sporting
interest was as a racing cyclist with the famous Blarney A.C.C. |
| --2000 Dignitary |
 Mary
Jackman |
| --1999 Dignitary |
Batt O'Keefe
Batt O’Keeffe,
T.D.(FF) member of the Irish Parliament, will represent the
Republic of Ireland at Emmetsburg during the 1999 St. Patrick’s
Celebration on March 12, 13, and 14. O’Keeffe was born
in Cullen, Mallow in 1945 and currently resides in Ballincollig,
Co. Cork. He is married to the former Mary Murphy and has
one son and three daughters. O’Keeffe received his education
at St. Brendan’s College, Killarney; University College,
Cork (BA,HDipED) He is a Public Representative and Lecturer
in Cork Regional Technical College. Batt O’Keeffe was
previously a Dail Deputy 1987-1989; Senator, Labour Panel,
1989-1992; and a candidate in the 1989 general election; Member,
Cork County Council since 1985; member, Public Accounts Committee,
Finance and General Affairs Committee. Cork Vocational Education
Sports Advisory Committee since 1983; Higher Education Committee;
Southern Health Board; Member of Enterprise & Small Business.
Member, Gaelic Athletic Association and Cork Handball Board.
Vice-chairman, Ballincollig Community Centre Management Committee.
Cork footballer and holder of Munster medals at under-21,
junior and senior levels. Cork intermediate Handball Champion,
1980. |
| --1998 Dignitary |
 Paul
Connaughton
Paul Connaughton,
T.D., member of the Irish Parliament, represented the Republic
of Ireland at Emmetsburg during the 1998 St. Patrick's Celebration
on March 13, 14 and 15. Connaughton was born in Co. Galway
and currently lives in Mount Bellow, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
He is married to the former Bernadette Keating and has two
sons and five daughters. Connaughton received his education
at St. Mary's Secondary school, Ballygar, Co. Galway; St.
Jarlath's Vocational School, Mount Bellew; Mount Bellew Agricultural
College; Athenry Agricultural College; IMI Management Course.
He is currently a Public Representative, farmer and former
general manager, Tuam Livestock Market. Connaughton entered
politics as a Senator on the Agriculture panel from 1977 to
1981, and was elected to Parliament in 1981. He served as
Minister of state at the Department of Agriculture with special
responsibility for Land Structure and development. He is currently
the Fine Gael spokesperson on Energy and Western Development
and Chairman of Political affairs Committee since 1993. He
has served as Agriculture, Social Welfare, Regional Development,
Defense, and deputy Spokesperson on Tourism. |
| --1997 Dignitary |
Colm Hilliard
Colm
Hilliard, T.D., member of the Irish Parliament represented
the Republic of Ireland at Emmetsburg during the St. Patrick's
Celebration, March 9, 14, 15 & 16, 1997. Colm Hilliard
was born in County Meath in 1936. He married the former Margaret
Quinn and they now live in Kilmessan, Navan, County Meath.
They have three sons and one daughter. Hilliard attended De
La Salle School, Navan, County Meath and Carmelite College
Castlemartyr, County Cork. Hilliard is a full time Politician
and Public Representative. Formerly livestock marketing manager,
auctioneer and accountant with cooperative and private business.
Colm Hilliard was first elected to Dail Eireann in February,
1982. He is assistant Chief Whip, Vice Chairperson of the
Oireachtas (congress) Joint Services Committee, Associate
Member British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body and member Oireachtas
Small Business Committee. Member Meath County Council since
1979. Former Chairman of the Joint Services and Liaison Committees,
member of Procedures and Privileges Committee, Oireachtas
All Party Committee for Public Expenditure. Member of Fianna
Fail Party Policy Committees for Social Welfare, Agricultural,
Finance, Taxation and Northern Ireland. |
| --1996 Dignitary |
John Browne
John Browne,
T.D., member of the Irish Parliament represented the Republic
of Ireland at Emmetsburg during the St. Patrick's Celebration,
March 10, 15, 16 & 17, 1996. John Browne, was born in
County Clare in 1936. He married the former Nancy Looney and
they now live in Carlow with their son and three daughters.
Browne attended St. Flannan's College, Ennis, St. Patrick's
Teacher Training College, Dublin and Maynooth and University
College, Galway. He received a Hi Diploma in Education, a
NT, BA as well as diploma in Social and Economics and Science.
He taught school a number of years and was the former chairman
of North Carlow Branch Irish National Teacher's Organization.
Browne entered politics as a nominee of the Prime Minister
to the Seanad in 1983 and was elected to parliament in 1989.
He is Convenener of Fine Gael (FG) Party, Group Leader of
Legislation & Justice & Health (including care of
the aged). Browne is a full-time public representative. |
| --1995 Dignitary |
Ned O'Keeffe
Ned O'Keeffe,
an official of the Irish Government was in Emmetsburg for
St. Patrick's 35th Annual Celebration on March 17, 18 &
19, 1995. A farmer by occupation, O'Keeffe first became involved
in politics when he won a senate seat in the Dail in 1982.
O'Keeffe is a member of the Fianna Fail Party and served as
spokesman on Industry for five years. Following graduation
from University College in Cork, where his studies included
social and rural sciences, he became a member of the Cork
County Council and served on the Northern and Library committees.
He is associated with many agriculture related programs in
connection with his farming operation and is a member of the
Gaelic Athletic Association. O'Keeffe is married to the former
Ann Buckley and the couple have three sons and two daughters.
Mr. O'Keeffe's wife, Ann, accompanied her husband to the states. |
|
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