OUR 2ND
ANNUAL GRAND BALL
by
JC Sullivan
Following up on a successful
initial venture, the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland staged a
2nd consecutive event, which drew an even larger
crowd that did our 2005 Grand Ball. A venue change to Cleveland
State University’s Wolstein Center accommodated many more than
the 2005 could. Event goers were greeted at Wolstein Center with
tri-color fabric hanging overhead, a graceful addition to the
venue. Large, round tables easily accommodated everyone with
plenty of elbow and leg room to move around and chat with those
seated at other tables. Other than having to be seated for the
wonderful dinner, a “stowaway” could have entered the event and
would not have been wanting of a seat.
Once again, all of Greater
Cleveland’s Irish organizations supported the event; both the
East and West Side Irish-American Clubs, the AOH and LAOH, The
Irish Heritage Center, Cleveland Ceili Club and the fun-loving
RIPs (Retired Irish Police Society).
Mayo-born Gerald “Jerry” Quinn,
Event General Chairman and host of a popular Sunday morning
radio (heard locally on WHK 1420 am and around the world on the
internet at www.whkradio.com),
said “Today, as we celebrate our organization’s success, we also
remember the sacrifices of those that preceded us. The first
Mayo Society, which was founded in New York in 1879, served the
needs of new Mayo arrivals there, as well as those still living
in Ireland.”
This year we saw many prominent
Irish American businessmen and businesswomen and politicians.
Sean Farrell, Irish Consul General traveled from Chicago to
attend. Our Guest of Honor was Mayoman Frank Durkan, Esq.,
originally from Bohola and a New Yorker since 1947.
Accompanying him was his spouse, Monica. Frank was confirmed in
Ireland by my great-grandmother’s cousin, Dr. Patrick Morrisroe,
Bishop of Achonry. “We called him Packy Joe,” Durkan said.
Durkan is famous for several
successful defenses he mounted. He represented Desmond Mackin,
of the Brooklyn Five. In that case he defeated Great Britain’s
extradition request in 1981. The opinion rendered by the Court
is considered by many in the legal profession to be a landmark
decision in Extradition Law.
Proceeds from our first Annual
Ball supported Our Lady of the Gulf parish in Bay St. Louis,
Mississippi and their pastor, Fr. Michael Treacy from Westport.
Additionally, funds were donated to the United Irish Societies
of Cleveland and to a St. Clarence Church Benefit. The Board of
Directors will decide who will benefit from this year’s event.
Congratulations should be extended to all of them, especially
the lovely Event Co-ordinator Colleen Corrigan.
On the evening of the event, the
comment we heard most was how friendly everyone was. It is one
of the reasons we have won people over to us over the centuries.
The resilience of our people, speaking of both Ireland, County
Mayo, America and other corners of the world, is demonstrated in
the abilities that have been given us, genetic abilities honed
through suffering, deprivation, displacement and hard work. Our
survival and success is due nonetheless to ourselves, our wit
and the vision and hope our generations have always kept focused
in our inner eye, i.e., our Irish and Mayo spirit.
