Chicago Governor to receive Irish Diaspora award in Newport

MAKING PLANS The Mayo Person of the Year, Mr SeΡn Kelly, Newport, launched the Mayo Cherishing the Irish Diaspora annual holiday. Attending the launch in Hotel Newport, where a fundraising dance will be held on May 19 were, front: Martin Campbell, from the Simon community in London; Tommy Joe Duffy, committee; SeΡn Kelly and Marianne Staunton, committee. Back, from left: Lennie Grimes, Kevin Bourke, Michelle Murphy, General Manager, Hotel Newport; Brendan Mulvey, and Brendan Farrell, photojournalist.  Pic: Frank Dolan

Michael Commins

THE recipient of the 2017 Cherishing the Irish Diaspora International Award will be Governor Pat Quinn of Chicago whose ancestors emigrated from Mayo in the 1890s. He will be presented with his award at a gala night in Hotel Newport in September.
The announcement of the award was made by Kevin Bourke (formerly of Mayo Rehab) at a press launch in Hotel Newport last Thursday night. Kevin said he was also delighted to make public that the International Award will be dedicated to and named after Castlebar swimmer Nicholas Quinn who performed so gallantly at the Rio Olympics last year where he reached the final in his chosen event.
The 2017 annual holiday takes place from September 16-23 in Lough Lannagh Village, Castlebar. Eight houses have been reserved for the participants who will come from Monica’s Houses for the Homeless in Birmingham, The Simon Community in London, The Irish Community Care Centre, Merseyside, Liverpool, and the Irish Community Care, Manchester.
A fund-raising night to assist with covering the cost of the holiday for the homeless and vulnerable elderly Irish emigrants in the UK who will come over from England in September will be held in Hotel Newport on Friday night, May 19.
The show will feature Kevin Prendergast, TomΡs Langan from Castlebar, the Cuilmore Set Dancers, Mick Mackey from Tipperary and Joe Deery from Donegal. It starts at 9pm, admission is €10, and all support will be most welcome.