The Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame will present its 12th Annual Awards Ceremony on November 11. It is held in the Ballroom of the Irish Center (Commodore Barry Club).
The honorees selected this year are diverse and each has contributed to the continuance, enhancement and preservation of Irish traditions. Kathy McGee Burns has been involved with the Irish community since 1986. She is a member of many organizations including; Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Irish Memorial, Brehon Law Society, Irish Society, Claddagh Fund, Irish Anti-Defamation Federation, Inspirational Irish Women and is currently the president of the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame. McGee Burns is also very active at St. Malachy’s School. Her love for “all things Irish” is evident in every thing she does. She is married to Michael Burns and is the mother of nine children.
Tommy Keenan, Irish Edition photographer, is the second honoree. Who doesn’t know Tommy! Bob Gessler, when he nominated him, said, “With little fanfare or fuss, Tom Keenan has at one time or another, made us all part of history.” He has not only chronicled Philadelphia’s Irish history but he has supported many causes from sports to charity. Tom works as an instructor at the Antonelli Institute for Art and Photography where he prides himself for being a mentor and adopted parent for hundreds of students. Tom is married to “ the love of his life, Jane Mulvenna” and has a son, Dylan.
Siobhan Lyons, the director of the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia, is the third honoree. Thirty of her “Senior Citizens” nominated her with words of love, praise and admiration. Declan Forde, in his letter, said,” We have chosen Siobhan because she is a hard working person, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. She works for the benefit of we Irish who may need help with such questions as health, finances and insurance.” Lyons is also involved with the Brehon Society, Irish American Business Chamber and Network, and the Irish Network (In-Philly). She was born in Dublin, is the daughter of a diplomat and majored in Arabic.
For tickets to this event, please call Sean McMenamin 215.850.0518 or Maureen Saxon 610.909.0054.