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2009 Irish Hall of Fame Inductee: Pat Egan

Pat Egan

By Kathy McGee Burns

Egan Family Rules

Go to church every Sunday (and be on time)
Go to College (and they all did)
Vote in every election (and try to make that a Democratic vote)

When I arrived at Bridey Egan’s home to interview her, I was delighted to see a very large, 3-story, white-washed stucco twin Victorian with six bedrooms. I could just imagine it burgeoning with the laughter and frolicking of the family of 12 Egans in their younger years. The inside was full of family portraits, mementos and a lot of memories. We sat around the kitchen table and talked about her late husband, Pat, who will be inducted into the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame on Sunday.

In the townland of Clydagh, a rural area, south-west of Headford , County.Galway, lies the farm in which the Egan family called home. This community is nestled on the north eastern shore of Lake Corrib, the second largest fresh water lake in Ireland. The parents, Thomas (called Kenny Egan) and Nora Walsh Egan raised seven children there. Patrick was the oldest. He attended Clydagh National School, which is now150 years old. In May 1948, at the age of 24. he came to America, settling in Bryn Mawr with his Aunt Sarah McMahon. He wanted to better himself and had no desire to be a farmer. This was after the war years and immigration had opened up. He took menial jobs to get started and soon became a lineman for Suburban Water Company.

Typical of a young, single Irishman, he attended the 69th Street dances. This is where he met and fell in love with the beautiful Mayo girl, Bridget Feeley. She and her sister, Frannie, had come to Fishtown on a lark, never intending to stay. Bridey’s encounter with Pat Egan certainly changed the mind of the daughter of Michael and Margaret Feeley of Ballyhaunis.

Pat and Bridey were married for 57 years and had 10 childre: Mary, Peggy, Noreen, Tom, Bernadette, Anne, Michael, John and Joe, and Frances. They lost a daughter, Patricia, at the age of 10 weeks. They settled in Ardmore and became parishioners of St. Colman’s.

Patrick Egan was involved with the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) from 1948 to 1954. He played for Galway and captained the team. In the early days, there was very little local competition so the team traveled to various states, including New York and Washington. His son, Mike, told me that as much as he loved Irish sports, he was very much Americanized and encouraged his sons to play football. He was also an avid Phillies fan. The family regretted that Pat was not alive to see the Phil’s win the championship last year. Knowing him, they said, he was probably calling the shots in Heaven.

There was a lot of Irish culture in the Egan home—plenty of Irish music and the beloved Sunday radio shows. Pat was a member of the Galway Society from 1948 to 2007. He was president many times over.

A stone mason most of his life, he rebuilt the steps of St. Colman’s Church. In 1994, he was featured on the TV show, This Old House, and was considered an expert in the lovely work he did. I saw some of his beautiful designs, which are on the front porch of his home. After his death, someone wrote a note to Bridey saying that they would think of Pat every time they climbed the steps of St. Colmans.

The only other Egan to come to America with Pat was his brother, John. They were best friends and fellow Phillies attendees. John was the youngest of the Galway Egans and served as best man at his brother’s wedding.

Patrick Egan was grateful to all the Irish who helped him when he came to the Phila-
delphia area and he in turn helped many others. Michael Egan told me that his father was intelligent, honest, hard working, tough, dignified, a gentleman and a caring human being. Although he had a limited formal education, he was well read. He devoured several newspapers each day, loved crossword puzzles and had a fabulous vocabulary. His love of knowledge made him adamant about each of his children getting a college degree. Pat realized the vast opportunities that this country presents and the surest path to taking full advantage was a good education.

Bridey said how much fun he was. That’s why she married him. John Egan said that they were a devoted couple, very much in love.

Mike shared some funny stories. One of Pat’s passions was Monday night bowling,
so much so that the family joke was if Mom died first she can’t be laid out on Monday night. Dad wouldn’t be able to make it!

The other story was about Pat’s strict curfew rules, especially for the older children. Some young man had brought one of the girls home past curfew. Pat chased him down the driveway, caught up with the lad and said,” Don’t come back if you can’t get my daughter home on time.” They never saw that guy again and thankfully he relaxed his rules after the first six children.

When Bridey and I were finished talking, she shared some of the many cards she received after Pat’s death. I think these sentiments people wrote clearly defines Patrick Egan:

“We have memories of enjoyable conversations, friendly exchanges, and assistance with community efforts.”

“His elegance, gentleness, religious commitment and work effort will continue to inspire us.”

This is the measure of a good man.

November 13, 2009 by Guest

News, People

2009 Irish Hall of Fame Inductees: Sean and Johanna McMenamin

The McMenamins

By Kathy McGee Burns

“Take, if you must, this little bag of dreams.
Unloose the cord, and they will wrap you round.”

These are words written by William Butler Yeats, a poet, dramatist, Nobel Prize winner and a Sligo man, buried beneath Benbulben. His words have great meaning for Sean and Johanna McMenamin, 2009 Hall of Fame inductee.

Johanna Kilroy McMenamin, is from Sligo, youngest of eight children born to Nora and Luke. Her town, Bellaghy, was a small market town with a main street and a railroad line which separated it from Charlestown, County Mayo.

And Sean is the oldest of 6, a Mayo man from Killadangan, 3 miles from Westport. This is an old Druid town and the burial site of the mythical King of Killa Dangan, his servant, Thulera, the twin sons of O’Malley and a one-legged Englishman named Cox. The area is demarcated by a circle with five randomly standing, pointed stones. Sean said that from his front door you could see Clew Bay and from the back, Croagh Patrick. The McMenamin parents were P.J.( a farmer) and Maggie (a nurse).

Johanna attended Lowpark National School and the Maris Convent for Girls and she shared this experience with her best friend of 60 years, Attracta O’Malley, who now lives in Philadelphia. Attracta remembers Johanna as very shy and well loved by her teachers.

Sean was educated by the Christian Brothers and eventually attended Westport Technical School where he specialized in construction trades. After graduation, Sean had the wanderlust and moved to England to serve his apprenticeship. In the winter of ’66, when the immigration laws were tightening, Sean decided to come to America. Would it be Pittsburgh or New York? That’s what Sean had to decide. While coming to grips with this dilemma, he traveled to Philadelphia to visit his cousin, Austen McGreal and his wife, Margie. This is where that bag of dreams starts to fill up. Austen said, “Give Philadelphia a try!”

Sean has always believed that his life was full of many twists of fate.
In the meantime, Johanna had come here in 1962 to join some of her family and was working with Attracta at General Accident Insurance Company. She was busy having fun with all of her new friends, attending dances at Connelly’s, 69th Street and The Irish Center.

Two weeks after Sean settled into his new home, his friend Hughie O’Malley took him to the Irish Center. On the very day that the Mayo Men’s Club began to accept women members and became the Mayo Association, Sean joined. He had also been drafted into the Army, an event he welcomed. As fate would have it again, he was assigned to Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, as a MP, Stockade Guard Commander. In August of 1966, on a Sunday night, he and his friend, Tommy Moffit, went to the Irish Center to join Tommy’s sisters, Attracta and Kathleen and their friend Johanna Kilroy. Yes, it was love at first sight! The cord to the bag of dreams was starting to unloosen.

They spent a lot of time double dating with Attracta Moffit and Tom O’Malley. As a matter of fact the two couples married two weeks apart in 1968.
Sean and Johanna have been married for 41 years. They are such a lovely couple, sweet, caring and giving. They are totally devoted to each other and through their love and respect for traditions, they have devoted themselves to the needs of the Irish Center.

Sean was President of the Mayo Association in 1972; treasurer of the Mayo Association; secretary of the Gaelic Athletic Association; and president of the Irish Center. One of his greatest achievements and loves is the library. He and local historian Billy Brennan found an empty room on the second floor of the Center, plastered the walls, laid the floors, electrified the circuits, painted, carpeted, and stacked it with books. Their joint love of Irish history and literature has left us all with one of the greatest attributes of the Irish Center. They have collected many treasured books and publications. Students from various universities have often used that 50-year-old library for research.

Johanna, like Sean, has been a 40-year member of Mayo, quietly working behind the scenes, supporting the activities of the members and her more visible husband. She and Attracta worked diligently to get an airport at Knock. She was involved with the Philadelphia Ceili Group in the early 60’s. Many a fundraiser was successful because of the generous touch of Johanna.

The McMenamins live in Cheltenham and have raised 4 children: daughters, Margaret, married to Jimmy Kilkenny (Kaylee, Kiera, and Maura); Noreen, married to Steve Diehl (Johanna and Patrick); Eileen, married to John DiTore; and son, Sean.

They are two special people, who fate brought together, and wrapped its bagful of dreams round them. We are so very lucky to know them and be honoring them on the 15th of November.

November 13, 2009 by Guest

People

Five Questions for Sister Briege McKenna

Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C., believes in miracles. And she should know.

Born in County Armagh, Sister Briege joined the Sisters of St. Clare when she was 15. In 1970, at age 24, and by then a teacher in Tampa, Florida, she says she was healed of crippling rheumatoid arthritis during the celebration of the Eucharist. More, she says she was given the gift of healing.

The experience, not surprisingly, changed her life. She believes God told her to take her newfound gift and use it to minister to priests. And that she has been doing for nearly 40 years, taking her message of healing to priests throughout the world.

Recognizing her great contribution, the Catholic Leadership Institute of Exton selected her to receive its 2009 Award for Outstanding Catholic Leadership. (She was slated to be recognized Friday, November 13.)

We caught up with Sister Briege just a day after her return from one of her many whirlwind tours. Jet-lagged but somehow still full of energy, she talked with us about her life and ministry.

Q. How do you define a miracle? It sometimes seems that we’re surrounded by them all the time, but don’t recognize them as such.

A. The title of my book is “Miracles do Happen.” (But) I dont believe physical healing is the most important. Many people have perfect health and they’re miserable; others are ill but filled with joy. But a miracle is something that cannot be explained through medical terms. An example: Around last Christmas, a friend of mine brought me a doctor who was very critically ill with leukemia. I think he was a Methodist. I talked with him and prayed with him. (Since then,) he’s been cured. His doctors say there’s no evidence he ever had the disease. That’s a miracle.

Q. What do you think about Christ’s admonition to Thomas, to believe what he can’t see. I sometimes think that, if you need miracles to believe, then that’s not faith. Or is that asking too much of people?

A. Thomas was wonderful. If you think about it, you can see how it would be hard for Thomas to believe. You cannot understand mysteries with your head. I don’t have to see a miracle to believe in the Eucharist. People who believe don’t need miracles. And many people who see miracles still don’t believe them.

Q. Why minister to priests?

A. In 1972, the Lord gave me a five-hour vision in the chapel. He said I was to speak to people about the priesthood as God’s gift to us. He said I want you to speak to priests and bishops (and say that) the priesthood is not a gift just tothem. I remember saying to the Lord, “I can’t do this, I’m a teacher.” And the Lord said, just be obedient. I’ll speak through you.

People say priests are skeptical of a nun, but if something is a gift from God, you don’t have to prove yourself. It’s about them and bringing them to the realization of what the priesthood is.

Q. You’re from Ireland. How much of a change do you see in the Catholic church in Ireland?

A. I see a very big change since I left Ireland 42 years ago. Throughout society, I see a great falling away. Ireland became more prosperous, that’s what’s happening. But there’s great faith still in Ireland. There’s still a lot of beautiful faith in Ireland.

Q. Irish religious have had a big impact on Catholicism in the United States and elsewhere. Do you feel like you’re part of a great tradition?

A. When I came here 42 years ago, practically every sister and priest around here (Florida) was Irish. Ireland is one of the greatest missionary countries. That was up until 20 years ago; now we don’t have vocations. Seminaries have closed down. Worldwide, every place we go, the Irish have left a powerful impact and have sowed the seeds of the Catholic Church. Please God, it’ll come back.

NOTE TO READERS

Sister Briege McKenna does not read the comments on this page. To contact Sister Briege, please click on this link:

http://www.sisterbriege.com/

November 12, 2009 by Jeff Meade

People

Halloween at the Philadelphia Irish Center

Four hags, no waiting.

The witches didn’t both waiting for the witching hour. In fact, the whole darn coven—four altogether ugly hags—showed up for the start of a special Rambling House party at the Philadelphia Irish Center Friday night.

And they weren’t the only creepy crawlies at the bar that night. There was an especially strange looking thing in a dashiki, for one.

But of course, it was all in good fun, and host Marianne MacDonald kept the fun rolling all night long. There was music, for sure, as there always is. And there was dance, as there always is, but with monsters on the Irish Center floor this time around.

A ghastly time was had by all.

November 4, 2009 by Jeff Meade

News, People

Ireland’s “Immigration Bishop” Visits Philadelphia

Derry Bishop Seamus Hegarty with his Phillies shirt, a gift from the Philadelphia Derry Society.

As he prepared to say a Requiem Mass for the souls of the faithful departed at Philadelphia’s Irish Center on Tuesday night, Dr. Seamus Hegarty, the Bishop of Derry, Ireland, paused to acknowledge the living who are far from peace.

The chairman of the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants, in Philadelphia briefly on a multi-city tour to meet with immigrants, was clearly moved by the stories he heard from undocumented Irish who had lost loved ones in Ireland and were forced to grieve alone, far from family and friends, because they could not return home. Illegal aliens can’t risk returning to their country of origin for fear that they will not be allowed back in the United States where they may have American-born children.

“It’s one of the things that really got to me,” said the Bishop, who has served the Derry diocese since 1994. “It’s a double tragedy for people who have lost someone and then aren’t able to go home and grieve with their families. I lost my own mother when I was seven, so I know how they feel.”

Bishop Hegarty spent part of the day at the Irish Immigration Center in Upper Darby. But not far from his mind were the immigrants he’d met in Boston. “They’re hurting very badly there,” he said. “I met many people who were bereaved and unable to go home and they were just devastated.”

He used the message of the Gospel to urge those in attendance to put pressure on the political powers-that-be to pass comprehensive immigration reform bills that would create legal pathways for the undocumented to become citizens. In Matthew 25:31-45, Jesus promised that those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited those in prison will sit to the right of him in heaven “because whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

“The attitude that ‘as long as I’m allright, I don’t care about you, is not the Irish way,” he said in his homily. “We had nothing and we shared our nothingness with each other. You need to forge a community here that carries out the message that the interest of one is the interest of all. Reaching out to people is a gift and certainly will not go unrewarded.”

The Philadelphia Donegal Association and the Derry Society participated in the Mass and the reception that followed. Bishop Hegarty also renewed old acquaintances, including Mary McHugh of Lindenwold, NJ, who knew the bishop as a youngster in Kilcar, County Donegal, where he was born. “I was born and raised in Scotland, but my mother grew up in Kilcar and my father was from the next village, so I spent my summers there,” she said. “The bishop is actually related to me through my mother. When you grow up in these little towns and villages, you keep the connections.”

Bishop Hegarty was on his way to Washington, DC, to meet with US legislators about immigration issues and was clearly aware of the effect the visit of one Irish bishop would have. “I’m sure they’ll be very gracious and as soon as I’m gone they’ll forget all about it,” he said to laughter. “That’s why you need to pressurize them. . . You can do something. We are all responsible for one another’s welfare. Use your voice in a responsible and constructive way to try to improve the welfare of immigrants.”

Siobhan Lyons, executive director of the Philadelphia Irish Immigration Center, was Bishop Hegarty’s host for much of the day.

“We were delighted to welcome Bishop Hegarty to Philadelphia.,” she says. “The Irish Apostolate has been a strong supporter of the Irish diaspora and we deeply appreciate the work they do on behalf of the Irish community in the United States. I particularly welcome their efforts in the campaign for comprehensive immigration reform and wish the bishop the best of luck in Washington DC.

“But Bishop Hegarty is right when he says we can’t sit back and wait for other people to solve our problems,” Lyons says. “We must use our voices and our votes to advocate for the most vulnerable in our community, and that includes the undocumented. I hope everyone will listen to his message and make sure their representatives know that the Irish community supports comprehensive immigration reform. “

November 4, 2009 by Denise Foley

News, People

Hibernians Present O’Hanlon With MacBride Humanitarian Award

While it was the occasion of his wedding anniversary, Editor-in-Chief of the Irish Echo newspaper Ray O’Hanlon stood without his wife at the podium to accept the Ancient Order of Hibernians Sean MacBride Humanitarian Award. The award was presented in Philadelphia at the annual president’s dinner presided over by AOH National President Seamus Boyle.

The award is named for Dr. Sean MacBride, the Irish statesman and Nobel Peace Prize winner whose name is attached to the MacBride Principles on Fair Employment for Northern Ireland. MacBride, who died in 1988, had a long and distinguished life. He fought for Irish independence, was at one point chief of staff of the IRA, later became an Irish government minister, and helped found a number of international organizations, including Amnesty International.

Ray O’Hanlon had been selected as the MacBride recipient based on balloting conducted among National Board members and State presidents of both the AOH and LAOH. The purpose of the prestigious Sean MacBride Humanitarian Award is specifically stated in the AOH National Constitution: “To memorialize the human rights contributions made by Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Sean MacBride and to recognize the efforts of others who make similar contributions in the cause of peace, justice, and the economic well-being of the Irish people…” (Article XXVII).

Ray O’Hanlon has been a most significant force in reporting on the many generations of the Irish Diaspora in the United States, the experiences of the new Irish who have recently immigrated to America, and the ongoing challenges of transforming the North of Ireland.

Having immigrated to the United States in 1987 from his native Ireland, he immediately became recognized as a major voice of the Irish-American press. In 1988 Ray began working as a journalist at the Irish Echo and, coincidentally, was immediately assigned to work on the MacBride Principles campaign. As a direct result of his careful research, Ray quickly became a major promoter for the passage of MacBride legislation in many states. The MacBride Principles gave Irish-American advocates for the North, such as the AOH and LAOH, a solid opportunity to educate legislators regarding the real reasons for conflict in the Six Counties.

Ray became associate editor at the Irish Echo in 2007 and has since risen to the post of editor-in-chief. Over the course of his career in journalism, Ray has reported from three continents, has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows on both sides of the Atlantic, and has found the time to author a book on a subject dear to his heart, The New Irish Americans, which was published in 1998 and subsequently received the Washington Irving Book Award. Amazingly, on the very day that The New Irish Americans was published, May 1, 1998, Ray was sworn in as a United States citizen.

Ray’s writing has consistently reflected the ideals and cultural concerns of Hibernians, always assuring that both the AOH and LAOH have received proper recognition and that our viewpoint has been clearly and fairly represented in the Irish Echo. On more than one occasion O’Hanlon has described the Hibernians as, “The bricks and mortar of Irish America.”

O’Hanlon spoke of MacBride as a man who spoke “Truth” which is important to all of us in the Irish community. Speaking about the Irish-American media O’Hanlon pointed out that “we exist because our (Irish Americans) stories continue to be told. And he concluded by telling a well impressed audience that when it comes to the Irish-American community “The story is still not fulfilled.”

November 3, 2009 by Guest

People

The Ghost and Paul Gallagher

Kathleen Murtagh listens to Paul Gallagher tell his ghostly tale at the Irish Center.

Paul Gallagher is used to being the last man standing at the Irish Center on Friday nights. After the final patron leaves, the longtime bartender closes up the center, latching windows, flicking off lights, locking doors. His last job is to clean up after the weekly Friday night Texas hold ‘em game in the front dining room.

But, on one Friday night just a few weeks ago, as he was just about to scoop up the poker chips, he discovered that his solitary work wasn’t so solitary. He was not alone. Someone was supervising the job.

“The doors were locked and I’d just closed the window and I don’t know who it was, but I felt something cold pass through me, like a breeze, right through my chest right here,” says Gallagher, patting the center of his chest. “And then I heard someone say, ‘What are you going to do now, Paul?’”

Later, he says, he took it as a philosophical question. But at the time, the answer was simple and practical. “I left the chips there, turned out the light, locked up and got out of there,” says the South Philly native, who says he’s not easily shaken. “I was scared to death.”

On his way home, he decided to stop at his neighborhood after-hours club for a stiff one. “I walked in and the bartender there who’s a friend of mine says, ‘Jesus Christ, Paul, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ I said, ‘I didn’t see one but I felt and heard one.’”

Gallagher has no explanation for the phenomenon. He’d just learned that morning that a friend and longtime patron had died, but he didn’t recognize the voice he heard. “I’ve heard stories about this place and other people have said they thought it was haunted.” In fact, confirms Irish Center manager John Nolan, one of his predecessors died in the office that Nolan uses now in the more than century old building that has been, variously, a car club, a Jewish center, and a caterer’s hall before it was purchased in 1958 by the Commodore Barry Society.

Gallagher had a previous close encounter with the ghost of Emlen Street, but only by proxy. “My girlfriend said that when she was sitting at the bar she felt a cold breeze brush by her legs. But this is the first time something has happened to me.”

His ghostly encounter hasn’t stopped Gallagher from being at his post on Friday nights, and he should be there this Friday, October 30, for the Samhain Rambling House event—an evening of jokes, songs, dancing, and stories to celebrate the Irish version of Halloween.

Maybe, if you ask him, he’ll tell you a real ghost story.

The Samhain Rambling House costs $5 and will feature music by Vince Gallagher, Kevin Brennan and Patsy Ward; quizzes with prizes; special awards for the best costume, scariest story, and best performance; and free refreshments and drink specials. Bring your best party piece, or just enjoy everyone else’s talent.

If none of that gets your broomstick off the ground, the center recently installed three new 42-inch plasma screen TVs where you can watch “Ghost Whisperer.” Or your favorite sport.

Or you can sit in on the Texas Hold ‘Em game. If you dare.

October 30, 2009 by Denise Foley

People

How To Be Irish in Philly This Week

This is the weekend that former Philly (and Galway) folklorist and musician Mick Moloney comes back to town with some friends to hold a benefit concert for St. Malachy’s School in north Philadelphia.

St. Malachy’s, founded in the mid 19th century by Irish immigrants, is unique among the area’s Catholic parochial schools. It doesn’t charge tuition or take money from the Archdiocese. It’s supported strictly by donation, and the concert on Sunday, November 1, is the big fundraiser. It’s usually standing room only, so get there early. The concert is held in the jewel of a church next to the school and we’re betting Clancy Brothers’ alum Robbie O’Connell is one of the “friends” this year.

It’s one of four fabulous concerts in the area this week. But before that. . . .

On Saturday, the Irish community celebrates national Ancient Order of Hibernians President Seamus Boyle—a Philly boy—at a testimonial dinner at the Radisson on Route 1 in Philadelphia.

Also on Saturday, the group Burning Bridget Cleary will be performing a Halloween Show at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia. This is an exciting, up-and-coming Celtic group that’s worth stiffing some trick-or-treaters to see.

Then, on Monday, the previously mentioned Robbie O’Connell will be doing a special peformance at The Shanachie Pub in Ambler. But save some of that yen for Irish music for Friday night, November 6, when Pat Egan, Laura Byrne Egan, and Jim Eagan come to the Irish Center and sing and play the songs of local composer Ed Reavy.

On Tuesday, November 3, author and filmmaker Mary Pat Kelly will be at Villanova reading from her book, “Galway Bay,” which is based on the story of her great-great-great grandmother who escaped from Ireland in the 1840s and settled in Chicago. Kelly has produced several award-winning PBS documentaries including “To Live for Ireland,” a portrait of Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume. She has also worked as a Hollywood screenwriter.

On Tuesday night, Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry, who is visiting the area will celebrate a Mass at 7 PM at the Irish Center.

On Friday, the Church of the Holy Family in Sewell, NJ, has invited the Hooligans to help them celebrate their first Irish Festival, which will include dancers, bagpipers, and food.

Details? You know where to look.

October 29, 2009 by Denise Foley

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