It has been some time since my last update, and I hope everyone is enjoying the holy month of March. On Sunday, February 23, 2025, I was honored to lead the Emerald contingent at the Grand Marshal and Aides Reception at Antuns, where we supported Grand Marshal Michael A. Benn and his aides, particularly our fellow Emeralds John Samuelsen, Kevin J. Murphy, Thomas Reilly, and Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald. On Friday, February 28th, the Emeralds returned to Leonard’s for the NYPD ES 71st Annual Dinner Dance, Matthew Galvin was the 2025 Irishman of the Year. We commenced March with our annual Social meeting held at the American Irish Historical Society on March 6, 2025. I extend my gratitude to Dr. Elizabeth Stack and her staff for an exceptional evening. Special thanks go to Chris Leskowicz of Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey and Rob Emmer of Rye River Brewery for providing the refreshments. Additionally, I want to express my appreciation to Wally Goetz and Lido Beach Kosher Deli for serving the finest corned beef sandwiches in New York.

I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to our esteemed friend, Michael Crowley (Former President, Suffolk County Police Department), on his well-earned retirement from the Suffolk County Police Department after a remarkable four decades of dedicated service. Mike has assumed the role of our official national anthems singer for our events, and we sincerely hope that this distinction will continue. Additionally, I extend my heartfelt wishes to John Ryan (President, ConEd ES), for a happy and healthy retirement after 39 years of service. The ConEd Emeralds will be hosting a retirement party on Friday, April 4, 2025 for John , at Dunwoodie Golf Course Yonkers, NY. Please refer to the flyer located in the events section for further details.

We look forward to seeing you next week at The Irish Poet of Wantagh on Wednesday April 2, 2025.

Go bráthach

Fraternally,

Martin Bellew

Martin Bellew

Uachtarán

President

On Sunday, February 23, 2025, the Emeralds and the Irish Communities gathered once again to commemorate the 2025 Grand Marshal and his Aides at the favorite venue of the Irish America Antun’s of Queens Village. The Emeralds were well represented in the Aide to the Grand Marshal position. Congratulations to all.

Grand Marshal:

Michael A.Benn

Aides:

New York County: James B. Ferguson, Jr.

Bronx County: Fr. Brendan A. Fitzgerald *

Queens County: William G. Corrigan

Kings County: Kieran M. McGirl

Richmond County: Warren G. Coffey **

Rockland County: John B. Kelly, Jr.

Nassau County: Marian Cronin

Orange County: Kevin M. Strommer

Suffolk County: Gerard J. Belmont

Westchester County: Cathal M. McGreal

United Irish Counties: Regina O’Dwyer

Grand Council of United Emerald Societies: John Samuelsen***

Knights of St. Patrick: Joseph M. Murphy, Jr.

Aide At Large: Betty McLoughlin

Archdiocese of New York: Rev. Ryan A. Muldoon

NYPD: PO Kevin J. Murphy **

FDNY: Deputy Chief Thomas Reilly *

*FDNY ES

**NYPD ES

***NYCTA ES

On Friday, February 28, 2025, over 850 people gathered at Leonard’s in Great Neck for the NYPD Emerald Society’s 71st Annual Dinner Dance. Matthew G. Galvin was honored as the Irishman of the Year. President Brian Flynn, Dinner Chairman Kevin Keenan, and the entire committee put in some impressive work, and the night was absolutely fantastic!

GCUES 2nd Vice President James O’Leary, led the Emerald contingent to the Reception for the Irish Community to mark St. Patrick's Day with Dr. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD Minster for Health at the Consulate General of Ireland, New York on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

L-R Joe Strong (NYPD ES),Peter F. Whalen (NYPD ES), Kevin J. Murphy (NYPD ES), Brian J. Sharkey (NYCD ES), James O'Leary (ConEd ES) and John Ryan (ConEd ES)

L-R Eddie Boles (FDNY ES), John Tully (Chairman, EIIC), James O'Leary (ConEd ES) and Brian J. Sharkey (NYCD ES)

front row L-R Kevin J. Murphy (NYPD ES), Dr. MacNeil, Peter F. Whalen (NYPD ES) and James O'Leary (ConEd ES) rear row L-R John Ryan (ConEd ES), John Tully (Chairman, EIIC) and Brian J. Sharkey (NYCD ES)

On Friday, March 14, 2025, President Martin Bellew led the Emerald Delegation to the James Connolly Irish American Labor Coalition Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Luncheon at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse.

Billy Lynn, President of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30 and GCUES Aide to the Grand Marshal John Samuelsen (NYCTA ES), International President of the Transport Workers Union of America, commenced the festivities to a standing room only crowd. Grand Marshal Michael A. Benn delivered remarks, and the guests were treated to a special performance by the County Cork Pipes and Drums.

Guest speakers included Sara Nelson, President of the International President Association of Flight Attendants, Lorcan Collins, Founder of the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour, Special Guest Speaker Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-CD #1, R), and the Honor Guest was our 2020-2021 Irishman of the Year, Edward Boles (FDNY ES).

The 53rd Annual Scholarship Dinner Dance of the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) Emerald Society was held on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York.

The following Emeralds were honored:

* Ombudsman of the Year: Cristine Vaughan, Superintendent, CSD 11

* Irish Pro Deo et Patria: Dr. Joseph O’Brien, Deputy Superintendent, CSD 20

* Irish Woman of the Year: Susan Rippe Hofmann, CSA Conference Chair

* Irish Principal of the Year: Eileen Herusso, Principal, Seth Low Junior High School, CSD 21

* Irish Administrator of the Year: Melinda McFadden, EA Administrator of Special Education, CSD 10

* Irish Leadership Coach of the Year: Dr. Cathriona Murphy, EA Leadership Coach, CSD 25

* Irish Teacher of the Year: Megan O’Brien, Teacher, PS 81, CSD 10

* Irish Custodian of the Year: William Carroll, Custodian, Sunset Park High School and Parkside Community Complex, CSD 15

Scholarship Recipents:

Sara Callaghan, Michael Carmody, Abigail Doherty and Delilah Leykam

March 16, 2025

Raising of the Colors

On March 16, 2025, the Brooklyn Saint Patrick’s Day Parade commemorated its 50th anniversary on the streets of Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York. Congratulations to Grand Marshal Martin Cottingham and his aides. Additionally, a special recognition is extended to our GCUES Aide Timothy N. Cowen (NYCD ES).

Congratulations to Yonkers Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Denis Mulcahy (NYPD ES) , our 2009 Irishman of the Year, and the 2009 GCUES Aide to the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Michael J. Gibbons. Denis is the founder Project Children which by the way is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Throughout the years over 23,000 young Catholic and Protestant children traveled to the US for a summer holiday respite from the everyday violence and conflict of their homeland. The program continues today as an intern program for young college students.

Rockland County Firefighters

Emerald Society

Editors’ Note: The Grand Council expresses its profound disappointment regarding the AIHS Board’s decision to dismiss Dr. Elizabeth Stack on the day following Saint Patrick’s Day. We genuinely believed that she possessed the transformative potential to elevate the organization. We will closely monitor the situation.

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 has any employment announcements, please forward them to info@gcues.org.

Do not miss this opportunity to find the ideal job for a friend, yourself, or a family member - explore our resources today!

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 Emerald Labor Leaders 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

Wednesday, April 3, 2025

7:30 pm

The Irish Poet

1891 Wantagh Avenue

Wantagh, NY 11793

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