Proud Suffolk County residents of Irish heritage from were honored by county executive Romaine and the Suffolk County Legislature at the third annual Irish American Heritage Celebration. The midday …
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Proud Suffolk County residents of Irish heritage from were honored by county executive Romaine and the Suffolk County Legislature at the third annual Irish American Heritage Celebration. The midday event, organized by deputy presiding officer Steven J. Flotteron, was held in the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Legislators each selected a distinguished Irish American from their local communities who has helped enhance our shared Irish Heritage here in Suffolk. In 2019, the Suffolk County Legislature unanimously passed a bill brought forward by Legis. Flotteron to establish March as Irish American Heritage Month. This annual event is seen as a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Suffolk’s approximately 300,000 of the nearly 33 million Americans with Irish ancestry and all they add to the betterment of our county and nation.
The honorees, officials, families, and friends were treated to beautiful renditions of the national anthems of both Ireland (sung in Irish) and the United States, as well as musical performances by the Suffolk County Police Emerald Society Pipes & Drums and the Hibernian Festival Singers. Light refreshments of Irish fare were enjoyed following the ceremony.
“As a proud member of the Irish American community, I was pleased to honor Patricia Rattigan, the daughter of Irish American parents, with grandparents who immigrated from Ireland, County Clare, County Derry and County Donegal,” said presiding officer Kevin J. McCaffrey.
“Patricia has been a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians for more than 50 years. In that time, she served on the Suffolk County Board for 10 years. After being elected president, she served on the Suffolk County 1917 Committee, raising funds for the monument in Central Islip and partnered with the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition to raise $30,000. She also served the New York State Board for 10 years and was awarded Life Membership.”
“At Division 2 in Babylon, Patricia has served as president and has chaired numerous events and committees, including the creation of an Outreach Dance to raise money for nine parish food pantries. The dance has raised more than $200,000. Patricia has also been part of the Celtic Degree Team for 25 years, coordinating the initiation of new members and giving them an overview of how ancient Ireland and its history is relevant to the present. She has also taken over leadership of the Then and Now Club! Further, Patricia and her husband, John, have been married for well over 50 years,” said McCaffrey.
HONOREES by LD:
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