New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. with honorees and co-sponsors at his Irish Heritage celebration at City Hall on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. Pictured (back, l to r) are: Ciaran Staunton, Vice President, The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and Owner, O’Neill’s Restaurant; Carol Anne Riddell, Education Reporter and Anchor, WNBC NewsChannel 4; Rev. John Moran, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers; Thompson; John Stahl, Esq., Director of Legal Services, Emerald Isle Immigration Center; (front, l to r) Elaine M. Walsh, L.C.S.W., Ph.D., Associate Professor Urban Affairs, Hunter College Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, CUNY; Nuala O’Faolain, Author, “Are You Somebody?” and “The Story of Chicago May”; and, Mary Elizebeth Bartholomew, First Vice President, The Brehon Law Society. Photo Credit: Marla S. Maritzer

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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. honored five distinguished guests at his Irish Heritage and Culture celebration on April 18, 2007. The event was cosponsored by the Brehon Law Society and the Emerald Isle Immigration Center.

“There is no New York without Irish New York. The history of this city, and the history of the Irish American community, are deeply entwined,” said Comptroller Thompson, addressing several hundred people who filled the Council Chambers at City Hall to celebrate and pay tribute to Irish contributions to New York City.

“Tonight, we are celebrating this living history. We welcome those who choose to make New York their home, and those who visit us throughout the year. We celebrate the special ties of friendship between our countries and we honor the New Yorkers of Irish heritage who are continuing the tradition of achievement, community, and leadership today.”

Thompson continued: “Our honorees this evening have excelled in a wide range of professional and civic pursuits. They are leaders in business, education, journalism, immigration reform, and community activism. All are dedicated New Yorkers, and have all made extraordinary contributions to our city.”

The night’s honorees were:

• Nuala O’Faolain, a renowned journalist and author. Born and raised in Dublin Ireland. O’Faolain became an opinion columnist for The Irish Times, and in 1996, she published her autobiography, Are You Somebody?  She has since published two more novels based in Ireland, Almost There and My Dream of You.

• Father Joseph O’Hare, the former president of Fordham University. Rev. O’Hare led the institution for 19 years, making him the longest serving president in the history of the university. He is the Vice President of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, Chairman of the Board of the National Theater Workshop for the Handicapped, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Reverend O’Hare served as the chairman of the Campaign Finance Board from 1988 to 2003.

• Carol Anne Riddell, education reporter and anchor for NBC “NewsChannel 4”. Riddell specializes in issues affecting children and education. In 2005, she launched “Family Matters,” a weekly segment that focuses on family and parenting issues. In 2006, she served as President of the Inner Circle, an organization of journalists that raises money for local charities. She also has served as President of the New York Press Club.

• Ciaran Staunton, co-founder of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, which was created to lobby for a new generation of undocumented Irish and to bring about comprehensive immigration reform. The organization is now the largest Irish group in the United States, with 30,000 members nationwide. Staunton also is the owner of the famous O’Neill’s Bar and Restaurant in Manhattan and was recently named by Irish Americamagazine as one of the Top 100 Irish Americans.

• Dr. Elaine Walsh, Associate Professor of Urban Affairs & Planning, and Director of the Public Service Scholar Program at Hunter College in the City University of New York system. Involved in community affairs, Dr. Walsh has collaborated for 19 years with East Harlem middle and high schools, providing universal social work services, tutoring, recreation, work readiness and college preparation. She is a past President and Treasurer of the National Association of Social Workers, New York City Chapter, and a former member of its National Board.  She has served on numerous non-profit boards, and serves as Treasurer of the Fund for the Advancement of Social Services. She is a Co-Founder of the East 86th Street Merchants and Residents Association, and a member of Community Board 8 in Manhattan.

Students from the O’Malley Irish Dance Academy performed at the event.

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