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BOROUGH PRESIDENT HELPS KICKOFF 2004 GREAT IRISH FAIR

Photographs by Kathryn Kirk

In photo: Pictured from left to right: New York State Senator Marty Golden; Chief Brehon Bishop Thomas V. Daily; New York Police Department Inspector Charles Scholl; Great Irish Fair Chairperson Al O’Hagan; Borough President Markowitz; Colleen Queen Mary Elizabeth O’Regan; Fire Department of New York Chief Peter Hayden; Joseph Murphy; Mae O’Driscoll; and Dan Barry.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz hosted a kickoff luncheon today for the 24th annual Great Irish Fair. The fair will be held on Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 at Dreier Offerman Meadows in Coney Island.

“Come one, come all to Coney Island because this fantastic Brooklyn tradition is a treat for all New Yorkers. This is a great opportunity to experience a weekend full of entertaining events honoring Ireland’s rich history, music and culture,” said Borough President Markowitz. “I know Irish eyes will be smiling on Brooklyn for the world’s greatest Irish Fair!”

"The Great Irish Festival promises to be the biggest and best fair of them all. I want to thank Borough President Markowitz for all of his support. We hope people come from Brooklyn and beyond and have a terrific time,” said Fair Chairperson Al O’Hagan.

The honorees this year include Bishop Thomas V. Daily, the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who has been designated the Chief Brehon or principal leader of the 24th annual fair, and Mary Elizabeth O’Regan, a student at Baruch College, who will reign over the fair as the Colleen Queen. New York State Senator Martin Golden will be awarded the Round Tower Award, New York City Police Department Inspector Charles Scholl will be presented with the Thomas Cuite Memorial Award, New York Times Columnist Dan Barry will be presented the Bard Award, Activist Mae O’Driscoll will be presented with the Paul O’Dwyer Memorial Award, Fire Department of New York Chief Peter Hayden will be presented with the Timothy Stackpole Memorial Award, Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Sister Bernadette Devlin will be presented with the Kathleen Slattery Memorial Award, Catherine Reilly will be presented with the Irishwoman of the Year Award, and Joseph Murphy will be presented with the Father Mychal Judge Memorial Award.

The annual fair, which is organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians to raise funds for Catholic Charities, promotes traditional Irish culture in America and is widely viewed as the world’s largest Irish festival.