As Yonkers, and the Irish-American community all over the tri-state area, prepares for the 63rd Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade on McLean Avenue March 24, the parade committee recently held it dinner dance at Empire Casino March 10.
This year’s Grand Marshall Ambassador Anne Anderson was welcomed and given her official sash and walking stick. The Aides to Grand Marshall Anderson were also introduced. Here’s some info on each of their Yonkers connections to the Irish community.
Kevin Clifford:
Kevin’s family roots are in County Cork. He attended Msgr. Farrell High School, graduated from Oneonta College, and received his Master’s Degree from NYU. Kevin has been employed by Yonkers Public Schools since year 2000, currently serving as a Kindergarten Teacher. As a Union Rep for the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, on behalf of the children he has organized community efforts such as spearheading food and toy drives, and fundraising for Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center and Maria Ferrari Children’s Hospital. For several years he has played a vital role helping to feed the homeless in New York City as a volunteer with the Aisling Irish Community Center. Kevin also belongs to the Yonkers Yacht Club, where he can indulge his appreciation of the splendor of the Hudson River. He is an active member of Myles Scully Division 1 of the AOH. He has fond memories of marching in the NYC St. Patrick’s Parade with his father Jeremiah Clifford, who was also an AOH member. Kevin is delighted that his beloved children, Melina and Jeremiah, will see him honored as an Aide in the Yonkers Parade.
SHANNON FITZGERALD DAUGHERTY
Shannon grew up in Yonkers, one of two daughters of Elizabeth and Richard Fitzgerald. She attended Sacred Heart Grade and High School, proudly marching each year in the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade. As a dancer with the Margaret Pike School, Shannon twice competed in the Irish Dancing World Championships in Dublin. She received a B.S. in Biology from the College of William and Mary and a Ph.D in Cellular, Molecular and Biophysical Studies from Columbia Univ. She is Vice-Chair of Groundwork Hudson Valley Board and President of Morsemere Garden Club. She is a Caper Helper with the Great Birthday Caper and a mentor with the Yonkers Partners in Education Scholars program and the College and Career Cntrs. at Yonkers and Palisade High Schools. She is a private tutor for math, science, test prep, and a college application consultant. Shannon has been President of A Perfect Meal Personal Chef Service, an editor for BioScience Writers, an MCAT review instructor for Princeton Review, and Field Aid for the Girl Scouts, bringing lunchtime programs to Yonkers Public Schools. Shannon and her husband, Patrick Daugherty have two children, Eleanor, a law student and Liam, a college senior. They are parishioners of the Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart.
DENIS FLAVIN
Denis was born and raised in the Fordham section of the Bronx. His mother, Mary Carty Flavin hails from Sligo. His late father, Thomas Flavin was from Kerry, a proud member of the Kerrymen’s Assn. for over 40 years. Denis continues the Kerrymen’s legacy. He participated in many events with his father, and played for the Rangers Gaelic Football Club. Denis graduated from Mount St. Michael’s Academy and earned a degree in Economics from SUNY Cortland. For several years, he worked on Wall Street. In 2000, he became a Yonkers Firefighter, where he continues today. Denis served the Union Board of IAFF Local 628 from 2003 to 2006. He is also a member of the Westchester County Firefighters Emerald Society. In 2002, he was a founding member of the Yonkers Fire Pipes & Drums Band, that marched in their first parade at the 2005 Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Broadway. He has been Band Master since its inception. They support many charities including Ronald McDonald House, Westchester County Burn Center, FDNY Burn Camp and Lead the Way. Denis and his wife, Tonia have two children, Ryan, 8 and Michael, 4.
ERIN LOUGHRAN
A multiple All Ireland medalist and Mid-Atlantic Champion on Fiddle, Erin is from a musical family. Her father, Frankie Loughran is from Tyrone and her mother, Margie is from the Bronx, with roots in North Kerry. Erin often performs with her mother, stepfather John and her 3 siblings. She earned a B.A. Honors Music Degree from the Univ. of Limerick and taught music as part of Comhaltas Schools Outreach in Limerick, Cork and Kerry, and earned the TTCT Diploma from Comhaltas. At home, Erin opened schools in the Bronx and Rockland. Erin Loughran School of Irish Music and Arts, home of NY Ceili Bands, brings children from Yonkers and the Bronx to Fleadh Cheoil na Eireann to compete. She served as provisional youth officer to North America for Comhaltas Ceoiltoiri Eireann, and has been the New York Rose of Tralee. She has been honored for her contributions to Irish culture by the Aisling Irish Center, Irish American Young Leaders and Kerrymen’s Assn. She and husband, singer/songwriter and All Ireland Football Medalist, Mickey Coleman are parents of 3 year old, Micheal Og Coleman. Mickey, Erin and her students perform for charities including HOPE, GOAL, Concern, Pieta House, and Mercy Center.
JOAN MAGOOLAGHAN
Joan is one of five children of John and Vivian Magoolaghan who emigrated from County Offaly. Joan graduated from Hofstra Law School, and in 1984 formed the law firm of Koob & Magoolaghan with her business partner, Elizabeth I. Koob. Joan is an active citizen of Yonkers, serving on boards of several not-for-profit agencies. She currently sits on boards of the NY Creative Arts Therapy Foundation, Community Planning Council of Yonkers, St. Joseph’s Auxilliary, and Cardinal McCloskey Community Services. In her practice, Joan specializes in civil rights litigation. She is General Council to the Yonkers Municipal Housing Authority, which is in the midst of a redevelopment project, which brings an investment of over $450 million into Yonkers. Every apartment in the Authority will be completely rehabilitated and modernized, or replaced by new housing. Joan comes from a large and supportive family that believes in working hard and giving back to the community. She and her husband, Larry McElroen are blessed with four wonderful children, Jonathan, Christopher, Ryan and Kara. Joan and Larry are parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle Church.
KAYLA MAHER
Kayla was born in the Bronx, one of four children of Susan Barry and Michael Maher. She traces her Irish heritage back to her grandparents from Counties Cavan and Cork. Kayla graduated from St. Paul the Apostle School and from Lincoln High School in 2009. At Lincoln, she played varsity softball. In Senior year, her team went on to be undefeated City Champs. She continues to play on local teams. Kayla earned her Bachelors Degree from Dominican College, where Kayla took part in “Alternative Spring Breaks”,as she went to poor areas in the U.S. hit by natural disasters. Kayla and others assisted Habitat for Humanity, restoring some of these areas. Kayla followed in her mother’s footsteps to become a Police Officer, joining the Yonkers Police Department in 2015. She worked as a Patrol Officer in the Third Precinct. In 2017, Kayla was named “Outstanding Law Enforcement Professional” by the Detectives Crime Clinic of Metropolitan New Jersey and New York. She was featured in the Irish Echo, and awarded the 2018 Law and Order Front Line Award. Kayla is a proud member of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester and the Fraternal Order of Police.
CHRISTINE KENNEY O’ROURKE
Christine, eldest of four children of David and Loyola Ryan Kenney, was born and raised in Yonkers. Her Irish roots are in Counties Cavan and Waterford. Chris attended Sacred Heart Grade and High School, and marched in many Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parades then. She graduated from Iona College with a B.A. Degree. Chris retired from IBM after more than three decades of service. Her next career was with a technology agency of the City of New York. Chris has held several positions on the Amackassin Club Board. She volunteers with various not-for-profits, such as a “Greeter” for Untermyer Gardens Conservancy and Trustee of the Yonkers Historical Society. Chris is responsible for Public Relations for the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade. She also uses these skills to publicize Parish and local events like the Sacred Heart Christmas Concert and Chilli Hilly Fundraiser. Chris is married to Kevin O’Rourke, tennis mentor and physical therapist, and loves his children, Katelin O’Rourke Gorman, a lawyer and Kevin B. O’Rourke, a racquet sports professional and coach. She is a proud grandmother, called Chrissy by KJ, Kali and Keegan. Chris and Kevin have been parishioners of the Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart most of their lives.
THOMAS P. SMYTH
Thomas was raised in the Bronx and Yonkers, the eldest of three boys of Thomas and Alice Clarke
Smyth, from Cos. Longford and Cavan, respectively. Tom graduated from Mt. St. Michael Acad. and Iona College with a B.A. Degree. He’s been an I.T. Project Mgr. at UPS for 27 years. He was a member of the All Ireland Champion Tara Ceili Band, and a founding member of the Celtic Cross Band. He now sings in St. Matthew’s Choir in Hastings. Tom played Gaelic Football and now plays hardball with the Westchester Giants of the West-Put Men’s Senior Baseball League. Tom is a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 47, and Pack 47 Cmte. Chair. He volunteers for Miracle League Westchester, and is a Trustee, former Grand Knight and District Deputy for the K. of C. – Agnus Dei Council. He is a member and former V.P. of the Hyatt Assn. Tom has coached at St. Paul the Apostle, E. Yonkers Boys & Girls Club and Dunwoodie Youth Assn. Tom’s wife, Geraldine O’Connor of Co. Westmeath is an RN. They are proud parents of three children, Alice, Thomas III, and Grace, who carry on Tom’s legacy through singing, playing, dancing and actiing. They are parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle, where Tom is on the Parish Council.
