Vera and Vince
Now this is how to run an event: An elegant dinner, fabulous music, short, punchy speeches, and honorees that everyone loves. That was Sunday night’s Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame dinner.
The honorees were Vince Gallagher, the local musician and businessman who is president of the Irish Center and founder of the Hall of Fame; Msgr. Joseph McLoone, chaplain of the Hall of Fame and the Donegal Association as well as pastor of a diverse parish in Chester County; and Kathleen Sullivan, a former city representative under Ed Rendell who served as his liaison on the board of the Irish Memorial then stayed to continue the work, becoming vice president of the board.
Tom Farrelly of the Cavan Society was master of ceremonies and two former presidents of the Hall of Fame – John Egan and Bob Hurst—were given special awards for their contributions to the organization, which is celebrating its tenth year. Current president is Kathy McGee Burns, who also recently became president of the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Committee, only the second woman to helm the group that runs the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade in its more than 100-year history.
