The 117^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance of the County Leitrim Society of New York will be held on Friday, March 9^th, 2012 at Antun’s of Queens Village, 96-43 Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village, New York. The deluxe cocktail hour will begin at 8:00 PM followed by dinner and dancing to Tommy Flynn and the New York Showband. Tickets are $85.00 each.

We are pleased to announce the 2012 guest of honor, David Harvey, from Derrinkehir, Aughnasheelin. David is the 2nd eldest of 6 children born to Aidan Harvey (Kiltubrid) and Lily Mulvey (Rantouge, Aghacashel). He attended Aughnasheelin National School, then Ballinamore Secondary School. David's first job out of school was working for Modular Cold Stores in Mohill, where he continued to work for 5 years. In May of 1996 he left Ireland to travel to New York to join his brothers Aidan and Leslie where he began working as a carpenter. Not long after that David started his own construction business. In recent years David joined the Local 147 Tunnel Workers Union, also known as the sand hogs, where he works today as a foreman. Working in the tunnels is a challenging job which David truly enjoys.

David is no stranger to the Leitrim community in New York or home. He is very well known and a popular individual in the Woodlawn/Yonkers area.

David is married to Tara Keenan, daughter of Joseph Keenan, from Gortletteragh and Noreen Duffy from Letterkenny, Donegal. They have a 5 year old son, Ryan, and live in Yonkers.

Our 2012 Distinguished service award recipient, Barney Ferguson, is also no stranger to the Leitrim and Irish community in New York. Barney’s parents both hailed from Co. Leitrim and he has kept his Irish heritage close to his heart all his life. Barney served 22 years with the NYPD as one of New York’s Finest Police Officers and later as Detective. During his career he was very active in many organizations and served as President for the Retired Det. NYPD Emerald Society, Leitrim Society of New York and The Grand Council of Emerald Societies. He was also a trustee of the Detectives Endowment Association and was Vice President of the Police Anchor Club-Knights of Columbus.

In one of the greatest honors of his life, Barney was elected to serve as "Grand Marshal" for the New York City St Patrick’s Day Parade in 1978. In so doing, Barney made Irish and Police "history." He was the first active member of the Police Force to ever serve as Grand Marshal. Barney continues to be active in many organizations today including: Public Relations Director for the Shields, Trustee for the Police Emerald Society of Westchester, the Board of Directors for the NYPD-Emerald Society, the NYPD Retired Detectives-former president, NY-NJ Detectives Crime Clinic, the Irish Immigration Center, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Holy Name Society, the Hibernians, the IPA, FOP, NLEA, the NYPD widows and children’s fund.

Barney is married to Jean Archambault. They have 5 children, Anne, James "Barney" Jr., Karen, Andrew and Erin and 3 grandchildren, Joshua, Elena and Monika.

Congratulations to both honorees and we look forward to a very successful and enjoyable dance.

We are publishing a Souvenir Journal in conjunction with the dance and a contract is enclosed. Please strongly consider placing an advertisement in our Journal, it offers the benefit of wide exposure to the Irish Community in the tri-state area. A return addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience. If you have any questions, please call Mike Dwyer at (917)533-3227 or Pat Murray at (718)729-6234 or any member of the committee.

For dance reservations, please call Noeleen Bohan-McGovern (914)693-7592 or Margaret Taylor-Finucane (917)655-1493. Please send payment for tickets prior to the dance and make all checks payable to ‘County Leitrim Society of NY’ and mail to Noeleen Bohan-McGovern, 45 Southfield Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, New York, 10522.

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you on Friday, March 9^th, 2012 at Antun’s.

Sincerely,

Noeleen Bohan McGovern (914)693-7592                Mike Dwyer (917)533-3227

Margaret Taylor Finucane (917)655-1493                 Pat Murray (718)729-6234