Public Employee Press

Irish Heritage Celebration
Tradition – continuity and change

By JANE LaTOUR

Three thousand miles from Dublin, the DC 37 Irish Heritage Committee provided participants in its 18th annual celebration a piece of the Emerald Isle. As committee members welcomed their guests March 5, the union hall was an oasis of radiant green and tradition was firmly in place along with some sparkling new additions.

Once again, the Canny Brothers’ Band provided a stirring program of traditional Irish tunes, including their rendition of “A Soldier’s Song,” the Irish national anthem. As she has done before, Sister Mary O’Connor delivered the invocation, praying that, “there may be hope in times of trial and the gift of joy for all who care for you.”

Committee member Dennis Sullivan, off duty for the evening as DC 37’s research and negotiations director, represented Executive Director Lillian Roberts. With his traditional humor and display of Irish blarney, Sullivan regaled the gathering with stories of Lillian Roberts on a trip to Ireland.

“She immediately understood what the Irish call ‘the Troubles,’ and identified with their fighting spirit,” he said. At a hurling match in Dublin, Roberts saw the ancient Gaelic game as “stick ball on the South Side of Chicago, and she promised to put the miseries on our enemies at home, just like the hurlers did to each other on the field,” said Sullivan.

An outstanding job

The FDNY-EMS Pipe Band, composed of bagpipers from Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics Local 2507 and Uniformed EMS Officers Local 3621, made its first appearance at the DC 37 celebration, marching into the room led by Drum Major John Manning. “We formed the band in 2006 with 25 people,” said Manning, “and the leadership of our locals has been extremely supportive.” Local 3621 President Vincent Variale witnessed the band’s maiden voyage to the celebration. “They did an outstanding job as usual and we are extremely proud of them,” he said.

The O’Malley Irish Dance Academy provided the troupe of step dancers, who added a new twist to their traditional program, featuring a modern dance choreographed to hip-hop music.

Passing the baton

The committee honored two longtime participants — Cathy Browne, an assistant director at the DC 37 Education Fund, and outgoing Committee Chair John Townsend. “One thing I know is that the Irish Heritage Celebration has gotten better and better every year,” Browne said. “I’m proud to have been on the committee and to have known these people.”

Former Local 1322 President John Townsend served his last night as committee chair after 12 years at the helm. He welcomed the new chair, John Huber, the president of Parks Dept. Climbers and Pruners Local 1506. “It’s been a great experience,” said Townsend. Vice Chair Bernadette O’Leary Enzmann acknowledged the contributions of the many people who made the evening possible.