Newsletter Spring 2019 www.irishfellowshipclub.com St. Patrick’s Day Dinner special guests include An Taoiseach Varadkar, Ambassador Daniel Mulhall and Minister Michael Ring SEE PAGE 2 104835_IFC_NL_Spring.indd 1 2/25/19 3:14 AM A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT On behalf of my Mother and Father, and the entire Flood family, I would like to wish you and yours a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. I would also like to thank you for allowing me to represent our family as the 118th President of the Irish Fellowship Club (IFC); it is truly an honor for me to serve in this capacity.Our family immigrated to Chicago in 1839. The Irish heritage we instill from one generation to the next is rooted in the fact that members of our family have and continue to serve the communities throughout Chicago since our Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Kevin P. Flood chose Chicago for his home. In the tradition of our Irish community, and that of the IFC, we cherish our family roots and legacy in the Chicago community. It is that history and our commitment to the future of the Irish community, that makes the Presidency of the IFC, so special to our family. I look forward to sharing an exciting year ahead with each of you, as we celebrate the Irish community with our Club’s beloved traditional events and some new events that I’m sure will soon become favorites. All of the events throughout the year are made possible by many individuals that generously give of their time and talents. I would like to thank some of the people that contributed to this spectacular St. Patrick’s Day. This year’s Dinner Chairman, James M. Sweeney, President of Local 150, has been a great friend of the club and his support is greatly appreciated. Terrence J. Hancock, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25 and Local 731 and this year’s Grand Marshal of St. Patrick’s Day Parade, is not only a close friend, but a steward in the Irish community. Finally, this year’s dinner honoree Fr. Michael Caruso and St. Ignatius College Prep High School. During St. Ignatius distinguished 150-year tradition, the school has proudly provided foundational Catholic education for too many Irish Fellowship Club Presidents and members to mention, my father included. In a continuing effort to expand the Irish communities’ involvement in the IFC, we are proud to introduce several new events. We are hopeful that they will become annual events that will weave into the fabric of the club’s traditions. In early June, the IFC will host a cross town classic event on a roof top at Wrigley Field. Additionally, we are planning a trip to the new Guinness Brewery in Baltimore. Last but certainly not least, we have announced an IFC trip to Ireland in 2020, in conjunction with the Notre Dame Football game in Dublin. I also look forward to collaborating with Maggie Dolehide, President of the Young Irish Fellowship Club, and her members. Together we will co-sponsor at least one new event promoting both clubs, as well as our Irish heritage. The Irish Fellowship Club has provided scholarships to needy children, attending Catholic high school in our area for many years. It is my personal goal to expand the scholarships. In closing, I would like to thank the IFC Chairman John Griffin and Club Executive Director Kathy Taylor for their continuous support and guidance in the coming year. I would also like to thank my family; this is only possible with their support. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Kevin P. Flood President of the Irish Fellowship of Chicago 104835_IFC_NL_Spring.indd 2 2/25/19 3:14 AM WELCOME PRIME MINISTER LEO VARADKAR The Irish Fellowship Club is honored to welcome An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to Chicago as our special guest at the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on Friday, March 15 at the Chicago Hilton Hotel. Prime Minister Varadkar and Ambassador Daniel Mulhall will be spending St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago along with Minister Michael Ring, TD, Minister for Community and Rural Development from Mayo. Irish Fellowship Club President Kevin Flood commented, “It is a great honor that An Taoiseach has chosen to be here for this special celebration. This is another wonderful opportunity for the Irish Fellowship Club to extend our hospitality to the leadership of Ireland.” An Taoiseach Varadkar TD is the leader of Fine Gael and has served as Prime Minister since June 2017. Prior to this role, he has held many important positions in the Irish government including Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport where he led a number of bold initiatives, including The Gathering: the largest and most successful tourism initiative ever held in Ireland. Ambassador Mulhall came to Washington, DC in August 2017 as the 18th Ambassador to the US from Ireland. His prior posts include London, Germany and Malaysia. Minister Ring has been a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since 1997. Chaired by Jim Sweeney, President-Business Manager of International Union Of Operating Engineers Local 150, the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner will recognize Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Terr y Hancock, of and Fr. Michael Caruso and St. Ignatius College Prep as the Guest of Honor in celebration of their 150th anniversary. The dinner raises critical funds to support the scholarships the Irish Fellowship Club Educational and Cultural Foundation provide to Catholic High Schools throughout the Chicagoland area. Says Executive Director Kathy Taylor, “The St. Patrick’s Day Dinner is the highlight of the year for the Irish Fellowship Club. We are delighted to honor the Grand Marshal and Honored Guest of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. All members are encouraged to join us to celebrate and support our charitable foundation.” The dinner will feature Irish music by David Dunne and dancing to the Rich Daniels City Lights Orchestra. Irish Fellowship Club members and their guests can make reservations for the dinner online at www.irishfellowshipclub.com or by calling Kathy Taylor at 312-676-4120. Tables are $1750 for 10 seats. The Club is also seeking sponsors for the dinner. Sponsorship of $2500 or $5000 include a table of ten. CHICAGO CELEBRATES S T. PATRICK’S DAY Please join the Irish Fellowship Club and our members in supporting several important activities St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sponsored by the Plumber’s over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend: Union Local 130UA, Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day parade will step off at Balbo and Columbus at 12 noon on Saturday, March 16. It is sure to be a fabulous celebration of all things Irish! Siamsa na nGael Kick off your St. Patrick’s Day The Grand Marshal of the Parade is Terr y Hancock, President, celebration on Tuesday, March 12, with storytelling, song and Teamsters Joint Council No. 25 and Teamsters Local Union No. dance at Old St. Patrick’s Siamsa na nGael. This year will 731. Fr. Michael Caruso and St. Ignatius College Prep will be feature America’s Most Dangerous Woman: Ireland’s Mother the Honored Guest celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Jones and her fierce Irish spirit that helped to organize labor founding of the school. Prior to the Parade, guests are invited to unions and fight for children’s rights. The evening will feature watch the dying of the river at Wacker Drive and the river. special guest narrators Anna Roosevelt (granddaughter of Franklin D and Eleanor Roosevelt; great niece of Teddy Roosevelt) and Award Winning Journalist Carol Marin, Trinity Misericordia Post-Parade Party Misericordia will Irish Dancers, Bag Pipers, Irish Trad Band and much more. For be hosting a post-parade party at the Memorial Hall at the tickets contact the Symphony Center Box Office at 312-294- IBEW at 2722 S. Martin Luther King Drive. Beginning at 1pm 3000 or cso.org. and featuring food, drink specials, live entertainment, raffles and kid-friendly activities, all proceeds will benefit Misericordia. Tickets can be purchased through the Misericordia website: Old St. Pat’s Civic Celebration Fr. Tom Hurley and www.misericordia.com/events. Old St. Patrick’s invites the community to join them for 9am mass followed by and Irish breakfast. Irish musicians and the Old St. Pat’s choir will celebrate with Celtic music accompanied by the Sheila Tully step dancers and the Shannon Rovers. This event will sell out so reserve your tickets in advance. 104835104835_IFC_NL_Spring.indd IFC NL Spring2019.indd 3 3 2/22/192/25/19 11:47 3:50 AM FESTIVE CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON The Irish Fellowship Club celebrated work with the Young Irish Fellowship Guests were entertained by the the start of the Christmas season Club, Gaelic Park, the Irish American Misericordia Heart Breakers during with the most successful Annual Heritage Center, IBAM, the Gaelic the cocktail hour, Paddy Homan President’s Luncheon in the Club’s Athletic Association, the SouthSide and Bob Ryan singing the national history. Luncheon Chairman Eamonn Parade committee and the Chicago anthems, the beautiful harp music of Vaughan welcomed over 1200 Bar Association as well as the Irish Aislinn Gagliardi and the talents of guests to the Chicago Hilton to honor Consulate in Chicago. It was a great Catherine O’Connell, Jimmy Moore and President John Griffin as he completed year of fabulous events.” Jim Dooley in the Normandie Lounge his year as President. In his remarks, after lunch. A highlight included an Chairman Vaughan particularly outgoing President Griffin thanked outstanding raffle. Thanks to our Raffle thanked the sponsors and table all of the members and the board for donors: United Airlines, American buyers whose generosity supports the their support of the Club’s activities.