LAWRENCE — Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, is among those Lawrence-area Hibernians intend to honor during Irish Heritage Month in March.
O’Malley was recently announced as the 2024 award recipient of the Richard Cardinal Cushing Award by the Rev. James T. O’Reilly OSA Division 8 Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Brian Farrell, owner of the Claddagh Pub in Lawrence, was named Irishman of the Year. and Dalia Diaz, director of Rumbo News, previously a bilingual newspaper and now a website, has been selected as the recipient of the Hon. John E. Fenton Citizenship Award, according to a news release from the Hibernians.
O’Malley and Farrell will receive the awards on March 2 at the annual dinner dance at the Lawrence Elks at 652 Andover St.
The Fenton Award will be presented at the Saint Patrick’s Day luncheon on Friday, March 15, at the Lawrence Elks, according to the release.
The Richard Cardinal Cushing Award is named after the late Catholic Irish prelate who died in November 1970. It was first presented in 1974 to John F. McCormack, then Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington.
“This award is awarded to an Irish Catholic of high moral character who exemplifies the characteristics of the late Richard Cardinal Cushing. The individual may be a man or woman, who through their life endeavors demonstrates in their daily lives the qualities of what an exemplary Irish Catholic should be,” according to the Hibernians.
The Hon. John E. Fenton Citizenship Award was established in 1975 to honor the late Judge John E. Fenton who passed in August 1974. Fenton, who was a member of
Division 8, went on to serve two terms as national president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
“This award is awarded to a man, woman, or organization, without regard to their religious, or ethnic background, who has contributed in an outstanding manner to the betterment of the Greater Lawrence and Merrimack Valley area,” Hibernians said.
The Honorable John E. Fenton Citizenship Award was first awarded to the late Irving E. Rogers, then publisher and owner of The Lawrence Eagle Tribune.
The Irishman of the Year Award, which is the highest award the Division can bestow on a member, was established in 1964 and is presented annually to a member of Division 8 AOH for his outstanding service, dedication, and contributions to Hibernianism and Division.8. The first recipient of this award was the late Patrick Scanlon of Lawrence, Hibernians said.
The Rev. James T. O’Reilly OSA Division Eight AOH in Lawrence was
founded on November 5, 1871, and for the past 153 years has helped preserve Irish culture, history, and traditions in a multifaceted way.
The talents of its members have been recognized beyond the borders of the Lawrence area. The Men’s Division has produced two National Presidents, and the Ladies Division one. In addition to these three National Presidents, three members have served as National Directors of the Order.
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