MAYO SOCIETY OF GREATER
CLEVELAND'S 1ST GRAND BALL AND GALA DINNER DANCE A HUGE
SUCCESS
by
J.C.
Sullivan
Cleveland, Ohio. It was, through this writer’s eyes,
Irish-Cleveland at its absolute best. Business attire, tuxedos, colorful
gowns and dresses and jewelry in abundant yet understated fashion,
reflecting the success of one of America’s most successful ethnic groups
– the Irish. Or more pointed, the Mayo Irish! What else to say? Well,
yes there is - an abundance of lovely ladies and handsome men.
A
pre-Ball cocktail event was hosted by Tom Scanlon of the Cleveland law
firm Collins and Scanlon on the Observation Deck of the Terminal Tower –
at one time Cleveland’s tallest building. The sunlight coming into the
round edifice from every direction made it a photographer’s delight.
Those in attendance represented a Cleveland Irish Who’s Who, which
included Judges, politicians, corporate CEOs and other northeast Ohio
movers and shakers.
At the Ball, guests from out of town included the Past President of the
New York Mayo Society, John Garvey and his wife Ann. From Canada came
the President of the Toronto Mayo Society, Kathleen Morley and her
husband John. From the political world came Finn Gael’s Enda Kenny, TD,
who spoke about Ireland’s economic strength. Some are predicting Kenny
to be Ireland’s next Taoiseach. Cleveland Society President Jerry Quinn
introduced Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, who spoke of the delightful
time she had in Ireland when Achill and Cleveland “twinned.”
It was interesting to witness a wide age disparity between all who
attended. The Irish never seem to notice these things like others do….we
all seem to be, well, Irish. Not young, not old but those celebrating
our Irishness. Which is, afterall, a very special thing to possess.
On this special evening of the Ball, I thought about my
great-grandmother, Elizabeth Cassidy Sullivan, born the year of black
’47. She came to America, before trains and planes, on “a sailing
ship.” Family oral tradition argued she was from Ballaghadareen, Co.
Mayo; other family members said ‘twas Roscommon. A few years ago we
discovered her final resting place in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, in
a town that was once a great Ohio railroad center, Ashtabula. It was as
if she foresaw the question being asked as she answered it for us. On
her gravestone is etched, “Born in County Mayo, Ireland.” That’s what I
called Mayo pride, the same pride I felt while attending this, the first
Annual Mayo Ball in Cleveland. Elizabeth would not have imagined that
seventy-four years after her death, on the banks of the Cuyahoga River,
hundreds would gather to celebrate their County Mayo heritage. Come to
think of it, just a couple of years ago I wouldn’t have imagined it
either.
“Proceeds from this year’s event will help Killawalla, County Mayo
native Fr. Michael Tracy rebuild Our Lady of the Gulf Parish in Bay St.
Louis, Mississippi,” said Society President Jerry Quinn. “Hurricane
Katrina demolished the church and surrounding area. Right now he’s
living in a trailer on what used to be the concrete foundation of the
rectory. The donation will give him some additional hope for the
future.”
What’s finally begun here in Cleveland is, indeed, the first of many
future events. Many in need, like Father Tracy, will undoubtedly benefit
from the funds that will be raised each year. The momentum has begun –
it can only build from here on. Those of us descended from Mayo and
those born in Mayo, no matter where we reside, share a common bond that
makes the relationship between ourselves unique. Oh, no doubt we
probably share some of the same genes, and we come from tough stock,
survivors of An Gorta Mor, the Great Hunger. We can look forward to
future generations in northeast Ohio carrying the same Irish pride, yes,
but specifically, County Mayo pride.
Images from the evening will be found at
here.
Sullivan, an Irish-American writer, has
numerous publishing credits, including the Irish Echo, Cleveland Plain
Dealer, Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine and Irish America Magazine.
