Mayo Society in New York announces People of the Year 2025

THE Mayo Society in New York has welcomed their latest inductees at their annual ball at Leonard’s Palazzo in the city. The two honorees on this occasion were Siobhan Gibbons McEntee, Mayo Woman of the Year, and James Prendergast, Mayo Man of the Year. Both have strong south Mayo connections.

Siobhan was following in the footsteps of her father, George, a native of Cong, who was honoured with the Mayo award back in 2013. He was known to many as Big George of 'The Potcheen Still' in Woodside which he operated with his brother Eddie from 1970-1990. Eddie was also a recipient of the Mayo Person of the Year award back in 2010 so Siobhan’s induction to the ‘Hall of Fame’ is probably the only time that three members of the same family circle have been honoured with this top accolade from the Mayo Society in New York.

Siobhan McEntee was born and raised in Maspeth, Queens. Her dad George carried Cong and Mayo in his heart all through the years and her mother was Mary Boyle from Monaghan. The family were brought up with a huge love for Ireland and all things relating to traditional Irish culture. The importance of community was also instilled in them from an early age.

Siobhan is married to Bernard McEntee of Monaghan and their family have close ties with the Aisling Center Céilí Band.

She has been immersed in the Maspeth and Queens over the years and she was a popular recipient of the Mayo Society accolade for 2025.

Her father George died suddenly back in 2021 just three years after celebrating his 70^th birthday party in Lydon’s of Cong where George and family members home from New York were joined by other members of the family circle from Cong, Ballinrobe and Corr na Mona as well as some close friends. It was a special night and it was great to be there and share in the celebrations with the family.

Jim Prendergast was the recipient of the Mayo Man of the Year award for 2025. His father was from Coolcun, Garrymore, and his mother from Upper Ballyduff in Waterford. They met at a dance in the famous Jaeger Hall in New York back the years.

Jim, who met his wife Teresa at a dance in Archway Tavern in Jerome Ave, The Bronx, which was run by Tom Brogan from north Mayo, and she had close family roots around Swinford. They were married in 1989 but sadly, Teresa died in recent mimes.

Jim has been to the fore in various aspects of life in the New York region over the years, has shared fond memories of visits to Garrymore, Ballyglass, Roundfort, Crossboyne, Claremorris, Ballindine and Irishtown and who has strong ties with his many cousins in this region.

The Mayo Society in New York is the biggest of all the 32 county associations and was formed in 1879, one of the most historic years in the proud history of our beloved county. That was the year of the Knock Apparition and the founding of the Irish Land League by Michael Davitt.

Many of the founding members were survivors of famine of 1847 who had crossed the broad Atlantic to make their new homes on the shores of Amerikay. The first Mayo Society reception and ball was held at Tammany Hall on December 9, 1890, with all proceeds sent back to Mayo.

Is it any wonder that our hearts burst with pride for this lovely county that we are blessed to call our home.