Ramapo, NY – March 2025 – The Town of Ramapo welcomed the Suffern Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Division IV for its annual Irish Heritage Night, a celebration honoring Irish culture, history, and contributions to the local community. The event, attended by Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht, Deputy Supervisor Brendel Logan-Charles, and members of the Ramapo Police Department, featured music, dance, and distinguished guest speakers.
Among the evening’s honorees was Eileen McCormack-Sammarone, recognized for her dedication to promoting Irish heritage and for her tireless work with the Town of Ramapo Irish Twinning Committee. Since the early days of the Twinning Program, which fosters cultural exchanges between Ramapo and its sister communities in Ireland, McCormack-Sammarone has played a key role in strengthening ties between Irish and Irish-American residents.
The event also featured a keynote address from Denis Mulcahy, founder of Project Children and Nobel Peace Prize runner-up. Project Children, founded in 1975, has provided thousands of Catholic and Protestant children from Northern Ireland with the opportunity to spend summers in the United States in an effort to promote peace and unity during and after the Troubles. Mulcahy, a retired NYPD officer, spoke about the impact of the program over the last 50 years and the importance of continuing efforts for peace and reconciliation.
The evening was filled with traditional Irish performances, including music by the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and lively Irish step dancing. The AOH Division IV, a longstanding organization dedicated to preserving Irish heritage and supporting Irish-American communities, played a major role in organizing the event.
“Irish Heritage Night is a cherished tradition in Ramapo, and we are proud to recognize the individuals who work so hard to celebrate and preserve Irish culture,” said Specht. “The contributions of the Irish community in Rockland County are deeply woven into our history, and we are honored to celebrate that legacy.”
