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Raise a Glass to Fergie

Fergus Carey, right, with Hollis Payer, Darin Kelly, and Brian Boyce

Fergus Carey, right, with Hollis Payer, Darin Kelly, and Brian Boyce

He has a small pub on Sansom Street, but he has a big heart.

On Thursday, many of Fergus Carey’s friends will come together to formally recognize all the ways in which the owner of Center City’s iconic Fergie’s Pub—and several other local bars—has supported Philadelphia area theatre.

But don’t expect much in the way of pomp. It’s a roast.

Although he probably never thought anyone would take him up on it—and didn’t really expect it—”Fergie Fest” was sort of his idea to begin with.

Catherine Logan is development associate of Theatre Exile, a company to which Carey has devoted much of his time and passion. Exile is hosting the event, Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Ruba Club 414 Green Street. Logan says Exile deemed Carey worthy of honor simply because “he’s awesome. He’s been such a big supporter of the Philadelphia theatre scene. He contributes to a lot of theatres. He’s a good friend.”

Logan says Carey once had a conversation with his friends at Theatre Exile in which he joked, “If you ever do a roast, you ought to do one for me.” That was a long time ago, she says, “but we always thought: Someday we’ll take you up on this.”

Before she met Carey, Logan wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Or maybe she was sure, after all. Sure, but then surprised. “I thought he was gonna be this big, loud Irish guy, but he’s actually shy, very quiet and respectful.” She likes the accent, too: but that’s “a girl thing.”

This will be the first time Theatre Exile has hosted anything like a roast, but based on the overwhelming interest in the theatre community—and the bar and restaurant community as well—expect a big evening. Actors and performers from throughout the city have lined up to salute their longtime friend. Restaurants from one end of town to the other are also providing food.

If you want to go, tickets are selling out fast. Tickets are $25 if you buy now; $30 at the door.

For details, contact: 215-218-4022.

More info and online orders here.

March 29, 2013 by
News, People

One Remarkable Woman

Denise Foley

Denise Foley

A reporter’s job is to cover the story … not to be the story.

For my longtime blogging partner and friend Denise Foley, the tables are about to be turned.

Denise is the 2013 winner of the Mary O’Connor Spirit Award. The Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Centre confers the award each year on an Irish-American woman who embodies the qualities of strength, humility, courage and service as exemplified by the heroine of the 19th century ballad who inspired the creation of the International Rose of Tralee Festival.

The O’Connor Award will be presented April 6 at the annual Rose of Tralee Selection Night and Dinner. Of course, the focal point of the evening will be the selection of the 2013 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee—an outstanding young woman of Irish descent who will represent the region at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in County Kerry, Ireland, in August.

For the Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Centre, the Mary O’Connor Spirit adds another dimension to the event, but it’s all part of the same theme: highlighting the contributions of smart, strong, involved Irish-American women.

Denise meets the criteria in spades. (And add “funny” to the mix.)

“Every year, we go through a list of women who are contributors to the community here in Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia Rose organizer Sarah Conaghan. “The Rose of Tralee aims to connect the global Irish community. Denise does that here locally in Philadelphia through irishphiladelphia.com. It really strengthens our community as a whole. She has always been a strong contender for this award. She’s a great supporter of various causes. She’s a role model for future generations of Roses.”

Choosing a Spirit Award winner can be difficult, Conaghan said, but it’s a good problem to have. “This award could go on forever because we’re blessed with so many motivational women in our community. We’re really lucky.”

When she first heard about her selection, by email from Sarah’s sister and fellow Rose organizer Karen Conaghan Race, Denise was taken totally by surprise.

“I thought it was just a reminder that the Rose was coming up and to ask if I was coming to cover it, as I always do,” Denise recalled. “I know it’s a total cliche to say you don’t deserve an award and most of the people who say that don’t really mean it, but I do. In fact, I could come up with a huge list of people I’d give the award to. I’ve met some incredible people—incredible women—in the seven years we’ve been doing irishphiladelphia.com who deserve recognition more than I do, including Sarah and Karen! But to say that I’m honored is an understatement. If Sarah and Karen think I’m worthy, who am I to argue?”

As always, Denise said, she’s looking forward to the event, which shines a spotlight on so many remarkable young women. “I feel fortunate to count some of them—as well as some Mary from Dungloes and Miss Mayos—as my friends.”

Sarah Conaghan expected Denise to react with with her characteristic humility at news of her selection. “I believe she said she doesn’t deserve it, but that it’s something to live up to. That just goes to prove how humble she is.”

She also expected this year’s self-effacing honoree to feel just a bit discomfited to find herself on the other side of the camera. “Like I said, she’s very humble,” Conaghan said, laughing. “And she’s not going to like this article.”

The Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Selection Night & Dinner will be held at the Radnor Hotel, 591 East Lancaster Avenue in Wayne. Tickets are $55 per person. The evening’s events include music by Bucky Scott Entertainment. CBS3’s consumer reporter Jim Donovan will be the emcee.

 

March 29, 2013 by
News, People

Raise a Glass to Fergie

Fergus Carey, right, with Hollis Payer, Darin Kelly, and Brian Boyce

Fergus Carey, right, with Hollis Payer, Darin Kelly, and Brian Boyce

He has a small pub on Sansom Street, but he has a big heart.

On Thursday, many of Fergus Carey’s friends will come together to formally recognize all the ways in which the owner of Center City’s iconic Fergie’s Pub—and several other local bars—has supported Philadelphia area theatre.

But don’t expect much in the way of pomp. It’s a roast.

Although he probably never thought anyone would take him up on it—and didn’t really expect it—”Fergie Fest” was sort of his idea to begin with.

Catherine Logan is development associate of Theatre Exile, a company to which Carey has devoted much of his time and passion. Exile is hosting the event, Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Ruba Club 414 Green Street. Logan says Exile deemed Carey worthy of honor simply because “he’s awesome. He’s been such a big supporter of the Philadelphia theatre scene. He contributes to a lot of theatres. He’s a good friend.”

Logan says Carey once had a conversation with his friends at Theatre Exile in which he joked, “If you ever do a roast, you ought to do one for me.” That was a long time ago, she says, “but we always thought: Someday we’ll take you up on this.”

Before she met Carey, Logan wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Or maybe she was sure, after all. Sure, but then surprised. “I thought he was gonna be this big, loud Irish guy, but he’s actually shy, very quiet and respectful.” She likes the accent, too: but that’s “a girl thing.”

This will be the first time Theatre Exile has hosted anything like a roast, but based on the overwhelming interest in the theatre community—and the bar and restaurant community as well—expect a big evening. Actors and performers from throughout the city have lined up to salute their longtime friend. Restaurants from one end of town to the other are also providing food.

If you want to go, tickets are selling out fast. Tickets are $25 if you buy now; $30 at the door.

For details, contact: 215-218-4022.

More info and online orders here.

March 29, 2013 by
People

One Remarkable Woman

Denise Foley

Denise Foley

A reporter’s job is to cover the story … not to be the story.

For my longtime blogging partner and friend Denise Foley, the tables are about to be turned.

Denise is the 2013 winner of the Mary O’Connor Spirit Award. The Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Centre confers the award each year on an Irish-American woman who embodies the qualities of strength, humility, courage and service as exemplified by the heroine of the 19th century ballad who inspired the creation of the International Rose of Tralee Festival.

The O’Connor Award will be presented April 6 at the annual Rose of Tralee Selection Night and Dinner. Of course, the focal point of the evening will be the selection of the 2013 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee—an outstanding young woman of Irish descent who will represent the region at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in County Kerry, Ireland, in August.

For the Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Centre, the Mary O’Connor Spirit adds another dimension to the event, but it’s all part of the same theme: highlighting the contributions of smart, strong, involved Irish-American women.

Denise meets the criteria in spades. (And add “funny” to the mix.)

“Every year, we go through a list of women who are contributors to the community here in Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia Rose organizer Sarah Conaghan. “The Rose of Tralee aims to connect the global Irish community. Denise does that here locally in Philadelphia through irishphiladelphia.com. It really strengthens our community as a whole. She has always been a strong contender for this award. She’s a great supporter of various causes. She’s a role model for future generations of Roses.”

Choosing a Spirit Award winner can be difficult, Conaghan said, but it’s a good problem to have. “This award could go on forever because we’re blessed with so many motivational women in our community. We’re really lucky.”

When she first heard about her selection, by email from Sarah’s sister and fellow Rose organizer Karen Conaghan Race, Denise was taken totally by surprise.

“I thought it was just a reminder that the Rose was coming up and to ask if I was coming to cover it, as I always do,” Denise recalled. “I know it’s a total cliche to say you don’t deserve an award and most of the people who say that don’t really mean it, but I do. In fact, I could come up with a huge list of people I’d give the award to. I’ve met some incredible people—incredible women—in the seven years we’ve been doing irishphiladelphia.com who deserve recognition more than I do, including Sarah and Karen! But to say that I’m honored is an understatement. If Sarah and Karen think I’m worthy, who am I to argue?”

As always, Denise said, she’s looking forward to the event, which shines a spotlight on so many remarkable young women. “I feel fortunate to count some of them—as well as some Mary from Dungloes and Miss Mayos—as my friends.”

Sarah Conaghan expected Denise to react with with her characteristic humility at news of her selection. “I believe she said she doesn’t deserve it, but that it’s something to live up to. That just goes to prove how humble she is.”

She also expected this year’s self-effacing honoree to feel just a bit discomfited to find herself on the other side of the camera. “Like I said, she’s very humble,” Conaghan said, laughing. “And she’s not going to like this article.”

The Philadelphia Rose of Tralee Selection Night & Dinner will be held at the Radnor Hotel, 591 East Lancaster Avenue in Wayne. Tickets are $55 per person. The evening’s events include music by Bucky Scott Entertainment. CBS3’s consumer reporter Jim Donovan will be the emcee.

March 29, 2013 by
People, Religion

Lorna Byrne: Blessed by the Angels

Lorna Byrne Giving a Blessing

On a St. Patrick’s Day that began with Jimmy Lynn’s fabulous and noisy breakfast at the Plough & the Stars and was followed by a solemn and chilly commemoration at the Irish Memorial at Penn’s Landing, I couldn’t have foreseen the sacred and truly spiritual afternoon that would crown my day at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill. But that’s the wonderful thing about being Irish in Philadelphia on March 17th; you never know what the day will bring.

For me it brought Lorna Byrne, an Irish woman whose earliest memories are of the angels who have always been a presence in her life. Lorna sees angels the way most of us see other people; to her, these ethereal beings are a very solid physical manifestation. And, she assures us, every single one of us has our own guardian angel following us at all times.

It’s a comforting thought, and only one of the many encouraging messages that she has been chosen to share with the world.

As a young girl, her relationship with the angels meant she spent her days in almost a cocoon. They talked with her, she laughed with them, they even played hide and seek together. Her separateness from the world around her led to her being given a diagnosis of “retarded.” Lorna was born into a poor Dublin family in 1953, a time when anyone labeled as different in any way was automatically considered to be somehow mentally deficient. Teachers basically ignored her, and it didn’t help that she was actually dyslexic. Although the angels were adamant during those years that Lorna tell no one about them, they also revealed to her that one day when the time was right, she would write a book and share their existence with the world. At the time, Lorna laughed because her dyslexia meant that she couldn’t read and could barely write; she hardly felt she was the one who would write a book about anything. But as with everything the angels told her, they were correct in this, too.

She used to ask the angels, “Why me?” And their response was “Why not you, Lorna?”

This past Sunday, Lorna spoke to a crowd of more than 550 people who attended her free appearance at St. Paul’s, an audience made up of both those who had read her books and followed her for years, as well as others who came because they were hearing about her for the first time and wanted to learn more. The format took shape as a one hour interview, with Lorna being questioned by Rev. E. Clifford Cutler, the rector of St. Paul’s, followed by a 30 minute question and answer period with the audience. But it was the nearly two hours of blessings that Lorna stayed and gave to every single person who wanted one after the 90 minutes of interviewing that left those who had gathered there awash in a wave of peacefulness and tranquility.

The Archangel Michael gave Lorna the prayer that she recites in her blessings, and that she has had it printed on cards for the audience to take with them:

“Pour out Thy Healing Angels,
Thy Heavenly Host upon me
and upon those that I love.
Let me feel the beam of Thy Healing Angels upon me, 
the light of Your Healing Hand.
I will let Thy Healing  begin
Whatever way God grants it…Amen.”

Lorna’s messages are about love, acceptance, and being the best we can be during our physical time here on earth. The God she knows doesn’t have a single religion; His angels are gifts to everyone on earth regardless of the faith they follow. Here are some of the words she shared with those who joined her in Chestnut Hill:

“The angels have always been my best friends, my companions, my teachers,” she explained. “But I suppose the important thing to say to all of you is that each and every one of you, no matter whether you believe, or if you’re a skeptic, or what faith you have, or what religion you have…each and every one of you has a guardian angel that God has given you. And your guardian angel never leaves you for one second. So you’re never, never alone and you’re loved unconditionally.

“But I suppose the other thing is that the guardian angel is the gatekeeper to your soul, and I’m afraid you can’t throw that gift away that God has given you. You can ignore it, and you can do your best and deny it, but I am traveling the whole world and I have never seen any man, woman or child without a guardian angel, and it doesn’t matter what religion you are.

“So it is to be conscious and aware that you have a guardian angel and that has been one of the most powerful messages that has come out to the world since I have written the book, ‘Angels in My Hair.’ Angels, I have to say to you, are neither male nor female. Just sometimes they give a human appearance within themselves so we can recognize them. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t.

“And again, it’s to teach us that…material things are important, we do need material things. But they’re not the most important thing. And, if for some reason, your life, you know, creates a lot of material things, you’re actually meant to share them. Because you can’t bring any material thing with you when you die. Your soul brings no material thing whatsoever, just the love and all of the good things you have done. And even too the hurt and pain, but it’s not as if that hurt and pain at that moment is washed away, straight away, because when your guardian angel takes hold of your soul and brings it forward to come out of your human body, you know God is real. You know you are a spiritual being as well. And you know you are being reborn. And that is an important thing to remember. And that is one of the very strong messages in both books, that when you die it’s only your physical body that dies. You actually live forever.

“And, I’m afraid, God IS real, and so is your guardian angel and all those unemployed angels that are here as well, in hope that you will ask your guardian angel to allow an unemployed angel to help you within your life. And, to me that is fantastic. God is real. Don’t wait til the last moment of your life to realize that. Change the world for the better. We all have that opportunity…lots of adults say to me, ‘But my life is insignificant. I have done nothing.’ But your life is very precious, and the most important gift God has given you is to live life, and everything you do within your life is accountable. But everything as well is that you’re changing everyone else’s life every time you do good. Every time you reach out and help someone, even if it is just a smile. I always have to smile at the angels, you know.”

You can read more about Lorna Byrne at her website and order her books here as well.

March 22, 2013 by
People

Lorna Byrne: Blessed by the Angels

Lorna Byrne

Lorna Byrne

On a St. Patrick’s Day that began with Jimmy Lynn’s fabulous and noisy breakfast at the Plough & the Stars and was followed by a solemn and chilly commemoration at the Irish Memorial at Penn’s Landing, I couldn’t have foreseen the sacred and truly spiritual afternoon that would crown my day at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill. But that’s the wonderful thing about being Irish in Philadelphia on March 17th; you never know what the day will bring.

For me it brought Lorna Byrne, an Irish woman whose earliest memories are of the angels who have always been a presence in her life. Lorna sees angels the way most of us see other people; to her, these ethereal beings are a very solid physical manifestation. And, she assures us, every single one of us has our own guardian angel following us at all times.

It’s a comforting thought, and only one of the many encouraging messages that she has been chosen to share with the world.

As a young girl, her relationship with the angels meant she spent her days in almost a cocoon. They talked with her, she laughed with them, they even played hide and seek together. Her separateness from the world around her led to her being given a diagnosis of “retarded.” Lorna was born into a poor Dublin family in 1953, a time when anyone labeled as different in any way was automatically considered to be somehow mentally deficient. Teachers basically ignored her, and it didn’t help that she was actually dyslexic. Although the angels were adamant during those years that Lorna tell no one about them, they also revealed to her that one day when the time was right, she would write a book and share their existence with the world. At the time, Lorna laughed because her dyslexia meant that she couldn’t read and could barely write; she hardly felt she was the one who would write a book about anything. But as with everything the angels told her, they were correct in this, too.

She used to ask the angels, “Why me?” And their response was “Why not you, Lorna?”

This past Sunday, Lorna spoke to a crowd of more than 550 people who attended her free appearance at St. Paul’s, an audience made up of both those who had read her books and followed her for years, as well as others who came because they were hearing about her for the first time and wanted to learn more. The format took shape as a one hour interview, with Lorna being questioned by Rev. E. Clifford Cutler, the rector of St. Paul’s, followed by a 30 minute question and answer period with the audience. But it was the nearly two hours of blessings that Lorna stayed and gave to every single person who wanted one after the 90 minutes of interviewing that left those who had gathered there awash in a wave of peacefulness and tranquility.

The Archangel Michael gave Lorna the prayer that she recites in her blessings, and that she has had it printed on cards for the audience to take with them:

“Pour out Thy Healing Angels,
Thy Heavenly Host upon me
and upon those that I love.
Let me feel the beam of Thy Healing Angels upon me, 
the light of Your Healing Hand.
I will let Thy Healing  begin
Whatever way God grants it…Amen.”

Lorna’s messages are about love, acceptance, and being the best we can be during our physical time here on earth. The God she knows doesn’t have a single religion; His angels are gifts to everyone on earth regardless of the faith they follow. Here are some of the words she shared with those who joined her in Chestnut Hill:

“The angels have always been my best friends, my companions, my teachers,” she explained. “But I suppose the important thing to say to all of you is that each and every one of you, no matter whether you believe, or if you’re a skeptic, or what faith you have, or what religion you have…each and every one of you has a guardian angel that God has given you. And your guardian angel never leaves you for one second. So you’re never, never alone and you’re loved unconditionally.

“But I suppose the other thing is that the guardian angel is the gatekeeper to your soul, and I’m afraid you can’t throw that gift away that God has given you. You can ignore it, and you can do your best and deny it, but I am traveling the whole world and I have never seen any man, woman or child without a guardian angel, and it doesn’t matter what religion you are.

“So it is to be conscious and aware that you have a guardian angel and that has been one of the most powerful messages that has come out to the world since I have written the book, ‘Angels in My Hair.’ Angels, I have to say to you, are neither male nor female. Just sometimes they give a human appearance within themselves so we can recognize them. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t.

“And again, it’s to teach us that…material things are important, we do need material things. But they’re not the most important thing. And, if for some reason, your life, you know, creates a lot of material things, you’re actually meant to share them. Because you can’t bring any material thing with you when you die. Your soul brings no material thing whatsoever, just the love and all of the good things you have done. And even too the hurt and pain, but it’s not as if that hurt and pain at that moment is washed away, straight away, because when your guardian angel takes hold of your soul and brings it forward to come out of your human body, you know God is real. You know you are a spiritual being as well. And you know you are being reborn. And that is an important thing to remember. And that is one of the very strong messages in both books, that when you die it’s only your physical body that dies. You actually live forever.

“And, I’m afraid, God IS real, and so is your guardian angel and all those unemployed angels that are here as well, in hope that you will ask your guardian angel to allow an unemployed angel to help you within your life. And, to me that is fantastic. God is real. Don’t wait til the last moment of your life to realize that. Change the world for the better. We all have that opportunity…lots of adults say to me, ‘But my life is insignificant. I have done nothing.’ But your life is very precious, and the most important gift God has given you is to live life, and everything you do within your life is accountable. But everything as well is that you’re changing everyone else’s life every time you do good. Every time you reach out and help someone, even if it is just a smile. I always have to smile at the angels, you know.”

You can read more about Lorna Byrne at her website and order her books here as well.

March 22, 2013 by
Music, People

Mary Courtney: Morning, Noon & Night Star

Mary Courtney, John Redmond and Donie Ryan of the band Morning Star

Mary Courtney, John Redmond and Donie Ryan of the band Morning Star

Every once in a while, a live musical experience exceeds even the highest expectations and leaves its audience in a state of permanent thrall…when you walk out still mouthing the word “Wow.” The performance by Mary Courtney & Morning Star did just that when they played for the Philadelphia Ceili Group at the Irish Center in Mt. Airy on March 9th.

All three—singer and guitar player Mary Courtney, button accordionist John Redmond and tenor banjo player Donie Ryan—are well-known and highly regarded musicians in their home base of New York, but it’s long past time that they became household names to music lovers everywhere.

Though they’re residents of the Bronx these days, their Irish roots are strong and proudly displayed, with Mary hailing from Castlegregory in County Kerry, John from Ballindaggin (it means “townland of the stronghold”) in County Wexford and Donie from Lorrha, County Tipperary. Together they’re a force of talent, accomplishment and musical knowledge that is showcased by the tunes they play, and illuminated by the heavenly voice of Mary Courtney when she sings.

The group Morning Star was originally formed in 1982, by Mary, Margie Mulvihill and Carmel Johnston (who was Carmel Glendon then). Other than a hiatus of a few years in the mid 80’s, the band has been together in one formation or another ever since: “This line-up, we’ve been solid now for 6 years, 7 years,” Mary explained. “And we all freelance as well.”

Among Mary’s own freelance gigs was her time with the group Black 47, the highly regarded Celtic rock band who paved the way for today’s groups like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. She sings on their albums “Fire of Freedom” and “New York Town,” and keeps in contact with founding member Larry Kirwan. “I’m still in touch with him. We did the Sandy Seisiun benefit in the Bronx last month to raise money for the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.”

Performing for charity events is part and parcel for the band. Immediately after their Philadelphia performance, the group was heading to Pittsburgh to play for “Row On for Brendan” at Central Catholic High School, an annual event that honors the memory of Brendan Foley, a student who passed away in 1996 at age 15. Bruce Foley, Brendan’s father, is an Irish musician, and over the years the fundraiser has raised almost $300,000 for the school’s rowing team.

The long ride ahead of them didn’t daunt Mary, and the comfort and graciousness displayed by the band onstage was just as notable after the show. “It’s wonderful to get a new audience. We got such a great welcome here in Philly…such a warm, wonderful welcome,” she said, smiling. “I’m lucky. I’m very blessed to be able to play, and to have John and Donie. And to have Beth Higgins, my partner of 11 years in my life. She’s the love of my life. I’m the luckiest person alive. I was an illegal for 10 years, and in the early 90’s I won a [Bruce] Morrison visa, now I’m a citizen of the United States. I’m very blessed.”

It’s obvious to anyone who spends a minute in Mary’s company that this is the absolute truth.

The band has a new CD out, “Mary Courtney & Morning Star ~ Live From the 33rd County,” which is available at CD Baby and Amazon. For more information, check out Mary’s website.

And here’s a (brief!) list of where you can catch Mary performing in NY:

An Beal Bocht Cafe, in Riverdale, NY. Every Friday night from 6-8, a solo ballad session

Tir Na Nog, at 8th Avenue, between 33rd and 34th, Manhattan. Most Friday nights from 8-11

St. Andrews Restaurant and Bar, on W. 46th Street, between 6th an 7th. Every Saturday night from 9-1, with Patrick Madden

O’Brien’s Irish Pub, on W. 46th Street, between Avenue Of The Americas & 7th Ave. Every other Sunday from 4-7, with Patrick Madden

Doc Watson’s, on 2nd Avenue. Every other Sunday night (the same Sundays as O’Brien’s)

Finally, if you didn’t catch Morning Star when they were in Philadelphia, here are a few videos so you can see exactly what you missed out on (you won’t do it again!):

The Homes of Donegal

Come By the Hills

If Ever You Were Mine/The Red-Haired Lass/Stone of Destiny

March 22, 2013 by
News, People

After Years of Service, an Honor For Tom Coughlin

Tom Coughlin Sr.

Tom Coughlin Sr.

It came on a night when Tom Coughlin, Sr.’s social calendar was already full, with three events to attend before bed.

The first event was Members Appreciation Night at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Notre Dame Division in Swedesburg. The invitation was not unexpected. Coughlin is a longtime Hibernian, and a charter member, former president, and now organizer of the AOH’s “Yellow Jack” Donohue Division in Hatfield. Coughlin also serves on the state AOH board as organizer for Eastern Pennsylvania, and he is president of the Montgomery County board. He cheerfully admits to wearing many hats.

What was unexpected? The announcement by officers of the Notre Dame Division that Coughlin would lead the 2013 Montgomery County St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Fayette Street in Conshohocken. The so-called “Best Littlest Parade in America” steps off at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“I was totally taken aback,” Coughlin recalls. “I was totally shocked and humbled to have been chosen. My wife Kathy knew about it, and she kept it a secret.”

Maybe he shouldn’t have been so surprised. Coughlin’s Hibernian roots run deep—he was a member of AOH Division 39 in Philly’s Tacony neighborhood for 20 years before he and his family moved to Harleysville, Montgomery County, about 14 years ago—and being a Hibernian was never something Coughlin could do just halfway.

Coughlin, who lived near Oxford Circle before moving out to Montco, was drawn into Division 39 by one of his close friends, Tom O’Donnell. (O’Donnell is now state president.) It didn’t take much persuasion.

“He didn’t have to talk me into it,” Coughlin remembers. “I wanted to learn what the AOH was all about, and I wanted to find out more about my heritage, and the charitable works the AOH does.”

Coughlin happily jumped in with both feet. “I got involved right away. I become an officer within two years, and I was recording secretary for about six years.”

After the move to Harleysville, Coughlin and his oldest son, Tom Jr., continued to drive into Northeast Philadelphia for meetings at Division 39. But then he heard about an effort to start a brand-new division much closer to home. To no one’s surprise, he was all in.

“I was the founding vice president of Division 4,” he says. “Within three months of forming the division, the charter president stepped down, and I became the president for the next three years.”

Coughlin’s enthusiasm must be contagious. Membership in the AOH is a Coughlin family affair. His wife Kathy is in the Ladies AOH, as is daughter Kelly Ann. Sons Tom, Jr., and Brendan, 21, are also continue to be active Hibernians.

After all these years, Coughlin retains his original enthusiasm for the AOH. “I like the camaraderie, and we keep doing good deeds in the community, such as the Hibernian Hunger Project. “We also roll Irish potato candies to help pay for scholarships for children going to Catholic high schools.

Coughlin is also known for his leadership in his division’s annual effort to raise money for ballistic body armor for the North Penn Tactical SWAT Team.

On Saturday, as the parade rolls down the hill in Conshohocken, Coughlin will be surrounded by members of his family, as well as his brothers in Division 4, and the Hatfield American Legion, of which he is also a member.

As for the day of the parade, Coughlin says he has no special plans, except to just take in the moment. “I’m just going to be happy to see all the people there. It’ll be a sea of green.”

March 15, 2013 by