Suffolk County Honors Irish Americans at Fourth Annual Heritage Celebration

Nineteen Irish Americans from across Suffolk County were recognized at the Fourth Annual Irish American Heritage Celebration, held March 24 at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge, as the county marked Irish American Heritage Month with music, ceremony, and traditional food.

County Executive Ed Romaine and the Suffolk County Legislature jointly hosted the midday event, organized by Legislator Steven J. Flotteron, in which each legislator introduced an honoree from their own district. Presiding Officer Anthony A. Piccirillo offered brief remarks on the honorees: "It was a pleasure to recognize these deserving honorees."

The ceremony drew on the county's deep Irish roots. The celebration stems from a legislative measure establishing March as Irish American Heritage Month, a designation that reflects a county population that includes roughly 300,000 residents of Irish descent. The Suffolk County Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and the Hibernian Festival Singers performed during the event, which opened with renditions of both the Irish and American national anthems. Guests later enjoyed traditional Irish fare.

Among those honored was Kevin McGiff of East Patchogue, recognized by Legislative District 7's Legislator Dominick Thorne. McGiff's family connection to the community runs back generations: his father opened Swan Cleaners on St. Patrick's Day in 1957. McGiff also serves as a founder and current vice president of Focus East Patchogue, a civic organization established nearly 30 years ago with a focus on revitalizing neighborhoods and supporting local businesses along the Patchogue corridor.

The full roster of honorees included Nicholas Deegan, Barbara and Jim Kinnier, Kevin Collins, William Duffy, Esq., Mark Brosnan, Dean Gandley, Kevin McGiff, Raymond A. Tierney, Esq., Georgia Grant, Shawn O'Neill, Vic Vogel, Brian Gillen, Brian Clancy, Katie Schrader, Andrew Thomas Cole, Sheilla Gallagher Buhse, the Stapleton Family, and Michael L. McCarthy.

The 2026 ceremony marks the fourth consecutive year Suffolk County has held the celebration; the third annual event took place in 2025. Photography of the ceremony was provided by James B. Teese of the Suffolk County Legislature.