The Grand Council’s next Affilated Presidents and Delegates meeting will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The meeting will commence at 7:30 p.m., thereafter, German beer, German food, and Emerald fellowship will be served. The meeting will take place at The Manor Oktoberfest of Forest Hills at 7311 Yellowstone Blvd, Forest Hills, NY.

I would like to draw your attention to the Irish American Baseball Society (IABS). The IABS is a United States-based nonprofit organization dedicated to commemorating Irish American contributions to baseball and supporting youth programs in Ireland and the United States. Membership is open to individuals with an interest in baseball and Ireland. For further information, please refer to the link in the “FYI” section below.

Additionally, the “FYI” section includes a concise documentary produced by BBC 1 (Northern Ireland), which presents a well-crafted, fair, and balanced perspective on the new political inclinations of Irish America. You may recognize some of the participants in the documentary.

We hope to see you at The Manor Oktoberfest of Forest Hills on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Go bráthach

Fraternally,

Martin Bellew

Martin Bellew

Uachtarán

President

The Grand Council is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Patrick Joseph Harvey, our esteemed Irishman of the Year from 1992. PJ served as the former President of Local 608 Carpenters Union in New York City.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Rest in Peace PJ

OBITUARY

Patrick Joseph “P.J.” Harvey passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025, surrounded by the care and love of his family. P.J. was born on March 25, 1940, in the small village of Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland.

In 1960, still a young man, he emigrated to New York City. P.J. was a relentless worker who began his career in carpentry and worked his way up to become President of Local 608 Carpenters Union in NYC.

P.J. met the love of his life, Kathleen (née Murray), who hailed from County Cork, at a local dance hall in Woodside, Queens. They married in 1968 and went on to raise a beautiful family in the lovely neighborhood of New Hyde Park.

P.J. enjoyed playing handball and swimming down at Rockaway Beach. He loved the “old sing/song” and relished both Irish and Country music. He was never shy about taking the stage, always determined to bring the house down. Known for his outgoing personality, he was "mad for fun" (craic), and cherished being among his friends.

P.J. also had a serious side. Somewhat of a perfectionist, he approached all projects with the utmost attention to detail—whether it was a house remodel or orchestrating the Annual County Clare Golf Outing. He consistently set the bar high, aiming for absolute precision through his unwavering work ethic. He also had no qualms about putting people to work. 

P.J. had a passion for helping others and took great pleasure in helping many young men start their careers.

P.J. was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen. He was also predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Mary, and his siblings Gerald (Peggy), Mary, Michael (Maureen), and Thomas (Patricia). He is survived by his two daughters, Claire (Danny) Ring and Barbara (Luke) Powers, and son, Johnny Harvey. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren: Kyle, Connor, Erin, and Daniel Ring; Finn, Lilah, and Niamh Powers.

The family wishes to thank Tina Gegan for her dedicated care of P.J. in his final years.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to the County Clare Golf Outing Benefit Fund, Inc. The 29th Annual Golf Outing will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025. All proceeds benefit St. Clare’s School (Ennis, County Clare, Ireland), West Clare Cancer Care Centre (Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland), and Ability Beyond (Chappaqua, New York).

Please make checks payable to “County Clare Golf Outing Benefit Fund Inc.,” a tax-exempt organization, and mail to: Pat Boland, 261 Kneeland Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10705

The Sound Shore St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Mamaroneck, New York. The Grand Marshal was our esteemed friend, NYPD Emerald Matthew McCauley. The parade was dedicated to all the 9/11 First Responders, including those who are currently ill or have passed away due to illnesses related to their work in the rescue and recovery efforts following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, the Bayside Parade was held in Queens, New York. Grand Marshal Tony Jackson led the parade, with assistance from GCUES Aide Glenn F. Lynch (NYPD ES). The NYPD ES held its annual post-parade reception at Monahan & Fitzgerald Restaurant.

On Friday, April 4, 2025, the ConEd Emerald Society held a retirement party in honor of its President, John G. Ryan, who concluded a 39-year tenure at the Fairways at Dunwoodie, Yonkers, New York. John played a pivotal role in the revitalization of the Emerald Society, which had languished for several years. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Johnny and his family on this well-deserved retirement.

Dear Friends,

We extend our sincere gratitude to all who attended our annual fundraiser held on April 5, 2025, at Mahoneys Irish Pub and Steakhouse in Poughkeepsie, New York. The evening was a resounding success, and we trust that you enjoyed it as much as we did.

We particularly appreciate the unwavering support of SLNY, Mahoney’s, and the Hudson Valley Regional Police Pipes and Drums. Your contributions have been instrumental in the continued success of our organization.

Sincerely,

Sean McCarthy

President

Police Emerald Society of the Hudson Valley

On Thursday, April 10, 2025, over 250 individuals convened at the East Wind of Wading River, Suffolk County, NY for the annual Saint Patrick’s Day dinner and dance organized by the Suffolk County Police Officers Emerald Society. Gerald Hardy was honored as the Irishman of the Year, while Donal Hughes received the Thomas Finn Memorial Service Award. Outgoing President Nicholas Aspromgos was also recognized for his commendable contributions.

Congratulations to the 2025-2027 Board:

* John Brunkard - President

* Craig Cowell - Ist Vice President

* Charlie Ebert - 2nd Vice President

* Glenn Kirkpatrick - Treasurer

* Vin Daly - Recording Secretary

* Michael Homan - Corresponding Secretary

* Luke McDonald - Financial Secretary

* Terence Mawn - Trustee

* James O’Leary - Sgt. at Arms

* Donal Hughes - Sgt. at Arms

* Kathleen Murphy - Lubey - Delegate Coordinator

* Nicholas Aspromgos - Chairman, Board of Directors

* Patrick Mahan - Band Manager

* Fr. Sean Gann - Chaplain

* Thomas Spreer - Legal Counsel

President John Brunkard, Dinner Chairman Terence Mawn, and the entire committee demonstrated exceptional dedication and hard work, resulting in an unforgettable evening.

April 11, 2025

Members of the An Garda Síochána Donegal Gaelic Football team were warmly welcomed and provided with a tour of the Boston Police Headquarters. During the tour, they gained insights into the dispatch center, the B.R.I.C., Shotspotter, and other relevant facilities.

The tour was made possible by the invaluable contributions of the following individuals:

- Deputy Superintendent Paul McLaughlin

- Deputy Superintendent Gerard Cahill

- Captain James Gaughan

- Captain Timothy Gaughan

- Lieutenant Tom Leahy (Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums)

- Tour Guides Sergeant Detective John Boyle and Detective Liam Hawkins

- Lieutenant Detective Dan Duff

- Sergeant Detective Dan Adams

- Sergeant Freddie MacDonald

- Officers Eddie Gately, Sarah Jane Hassan-McDaid, Steve Canto, Jason Richardson, Sean Burke, Sean McCarthy, Chris Markunas (Operations Director), Mark Pjanowski (Multimedia), and Kathy Kearney (OPC - Behind the Scenes Support)

- Retired Former Chief of Boston Police Dan Linskey

We extend our sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the trip, game, and camaraderie.

Sincerely,

Sean McCarthy

President

BPES

The NYCD Emerald Society held its seventh annual Burn Your Return Cigar Night at Vetro at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, New York, on April 14, 2025. Kindly view the video highlights.

On Monday, April 21, 2025, ceremonies were held at the Nassau County Court Complex in Mineola, New York, to commemorate the Easter Monday Rising of 1916 (its 109th anniversary) by the Irish Monument Committee.

The Irish Monument Committee, which comprises the Nassau County Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Brehon Law Society of Nassau County, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens, Irish Americans in Government, Irish Northern Aid, the Police Emerald Society of Nassau County, the Sheriff’s Emerald Society of Nassau County, and Hofstra University’s Irish Studies Program, planned, created, and maintained the monument.

This year’s event was hosted by President John A. Doyle and the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens, Inc. Donal Mahony, Chairman of the Irish Monument Committee, presided over the ceremony. Rev. Father Christopher Heanue, Rector of the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph and Teresa of Avila Parish in Brooklyn, New York, Director of the Irish Apostolate and Chaplain, NYCD ES delivered the invocation. Katie Daughen, the New York Deputy Consul General of Ireland; and Kathleen Funchion, a Sinn Féin Member of the European Parliament from Ireland’s South constituency, presented messages to the assembled audience.

President John A. Doyle, Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens, and Katie Daughen, the New York Deputy Consul General of Ireland, jointly placed the wreath upon the monument.

Photos courtesy by John O'Connell

The Irish Monument commemorating the April 24, 1916, Easter Monday Uprising is south of the County Court House at Court House Drive Mineola, New York. First dedicated in 1979 in a grove in the shadow of the Courts of Justice, the Monument is a living symbol of our determination to end bigotry and discrimination in Northern Ireland and to support efforts to achieve Peace with Justice in a united Ireland.

It is now topped with a harp, a symbol of Ireland, upon a mounting stone inscribed with the names of the 16 who were executed by the British, with seven lilies on the Harp symbolizing the seven who signed the Proclamation of April 24, 1916, and the strings etched into the Harp forming 32 spaces and lines to represent a united Ireland.

Beginning in April 2011, refurbishment now includes the installation of commemorative bricks along the walkway to the Monument.

Commemorative bricks are an excellent way to acknowledge and honor special people and events. Each brick can be inscribed with a personal message and installed decoratively on the Monument Plaza. Each of the brick pavers, which measures 9″ x 6″ and accommodates three lines of fourteen letters or spaces, is available for a tax-deductible donation of $150.00 to the Irish Monument Committee c/o Joseph Hyland 254 Nassau Blvd South, Garden City, New York 11530.

Each year at noon, on the Monday following Easter, a commemoration ceremony is held to honor the memory of those who have struggled for human dignity, human rights, and Irish unity.

Pipers and poets entertain all assembled to hear brief remarks by persons prominent in the Irish world.

The Irish Monument Committee is comprised of representatives of Irish Community and Cultural Organizations:

The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Nassau County Board

The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens, Inc

Irish Northern Aid

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick on Long Island

Police Emerald Society Nassau County

The Irish Cultural Society of Garden City, N.Y.

The Brehon Law Society of Nassau County, New York

Irish-American in Government

Sheriff Emerald Society, Nassau County

Irish Studies Program of Hofstra University

Donal M. Mahoney

Chairman

If you haven't have an opportunity to watch the Irish Connection Documentary that was produced by the United States Law Enforcement Foundation please do so.

Affiliated Presidents:

The Grand Council is committed to connecting affiliated organizations and encouraging them to support each other's events with reciprocal agreements of like-kind donations.

The updated GCUES Directory, which includes the contact information of every board member, director, and trustee, was emailed to your fellow Presidents. Please make sure to use it.

To ensure the best possible promotion for your event, please email the flyer and any pertinent information to info@gcues.org at least two to three months in advance.

Let's unite to make each Emerald event a success!

Patrick Hendry, President of the NYCPBA, will be recognized as the Man of the Year. Brian Coughlan will be honored with the Sergeant John Tansey Award. Brian is our 2017 Irishman of the Year and the 2017 GCUES Aide to Grand Marshal Michael J. Dowling.

DET. BARNEY FERGUSON EMERALD LEGACY FUND

ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 

HONOREES

The NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums

Bandmaster Dan O'Grady

Jamie Hamilton, Esq. AOH Div 3

Sgt. Phil Wanderman YPD & WPES

FDNY EMS

Visit our employment resources page or our Facebook page for the most recent job postings.

If your agency, union, or trade organization has any employment announcements, kindly forward them to info@gcues.org.

Seize this opportunity to identify the perfect job for yourself, a friend, or a family member by exploring our resources.

DOWNSTATE ONLY

NYS COURT OFFICER-TRAINEE EXAM

NYC, Long Island, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester Counties

APPLICATION OPEN March 12, 2025 to June 11, 2025 

Announcement

Apply Here

Upcoming GCUES events:



Save the Date

Monday, October 27, 2025:

Cigar Night

Three Emeralds (TBA)

will be honored for their unwavering service

and dedication to the labor movement.

Vetro at Russo's on the Bay

Howard Beach, NY

7pm-11pm

*NEXT MEETING*

Thursday, May 8, 2025

7:30 pm

Manor Oktoberfest of Forest Hills

7311 Yellowstone Blvd

Forest Hills, NY 11375

Brian J. Sharkey

516-643-1900

bjsgarda317@icloud.com

The Grand Council

PO Box 38

Atlantic Beach, NY 11509

Ní neart go cur le chéile 

There’s no strength without unity

SCAN THE QR CODE OR CLICK LINKTREE

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND OUR SOCIALS IN ONE PLACE

MEGA

Making the Emeralds Great Again