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Mr. Raymond "Ray" Brady
GRAND MARSHAL
A dedicated member of the IAHS, Ray Brady has long been a pillar of the Society, serving as a Past President, former Parade Committee Chairman, and a devoted volunteer at Arts in the Heart. A proud Aquinas High School and Augusta College graduate, Ray has built a career in financial advising while always making time for his faith, family, and Irish heritage. His family’s legacy within the Society runs deep, with past honors including Irish Family of the Year and his oldest daughter serving as a former Society President. Upon receiving the news of his selection, Ray reflected, “You hope someday this might happen, and you even let yourself envision it. Then you get that call and get all nostalgic. I’m just so very flattered.”
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Mrs. Philomena "Phil" Mooney
IRISH LADY OF THE YEAR
A lifelong advocate for Irish dance and cultural preservation, Phil Mooney has dedicated decades to keeping Irish traditions alive in Augusta. Originally from Galway, Ireland, she founded the Augusta Irish Dancers and later Antrim Academy of Irish Dance, training hundreds of students and ensuring the next generation stays connected to their roots. Beyond dance, her work with Catholic Social Services has raised millions of dollars for the community through a local thrift store she helped establish over 30 years ago. Her influence extends throughout the IAHS, as her family was honored as Irish Family of the Year in 1991, and her mother was named Irish Lady of the Year in 2016. Upon learning of her selection, Phil shared, "I've looked up to so many of the ladies in the Society. To be in the ranks of all those wonderful women is truly a blessing.”
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The Thomas "Tommy" Poteet Family
IRISH FAMILY OF THE YEAR
With ancestry tracing back to County Mayo and County Cork, Ireland, the Poteet Family has been a cornerstone of Augusta’s Irish-Catholic community for generations. Family patriarch Tommy Poteet was the 32nd charter member of the IAHS and remains one of its eldest Past Presidents (1988-1989). Known for their faith, service, and dedication to helping others, the Poteet family has made a profound impact, ensuring that Augusta’s Irish traditions remain strong. “Our parents raised us to value our faith and be proud of our Irish heritage,” one family member shared. “We are truly honored to receive this recognition.”
Previous Dignitaries
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The Grand Marshal is that person held in the highest esteem by his fellow man. The Grand Marshal is a person of great integrity whom all admire and trust. One looked upon as the greatest example of an Irish gentleman. It is undoubtedly the highest honor this society can bestow upon an individual.
2025 - Raymond Brady
2024 Russ Gambill
2023 Brian Timothy Leonard, Sr.
2022 J. Douglas Herman, Sr.
2021 Doug Wilson
2020 Doug Wilson
2019 Tim Regan
2018 Ed Holmes
2017 Mike Rucker
2016 Philip M. Kelly
2015 Bob Cashin
2014 Walter Eubanks
2013 Billy Herman
2012 Pat Rice
2011 Jerry Armstrong
2010 Bill Berry
2009 Jim Thrash
2008 Mike Leonard
2007 Frank Doyle
2006 Bill Real
2005 Daniel B. Walter
2004 John Scherer
2003 Philip S. Ward
2002 Br Richard Michel
2001 C.W. “Buck” Tinley
2000 John W. “Jack” Burke, Jr.
1999 Paul Ferris Dorr, Jr.
1998 Bernard J. Mulherin
1997 John S. Markwalter
1996 J. Noel Schweers
1995 Brian J. Mulherin
1994 David C. Tribby
1993 John H. Douglas
1992 John P. Regan
1991 Leland J. Malchow
1990 John J. Walsh
1989 Joseph E. Kelly
1988 R. Floyd Gambill, Jr.
1987 Edward J. Doris
1986 Patrick R. Mulherin
1985 W. Philip Kelly
1984 Dr. T.E. “Ed” Bailey
1983 L.J. “Pat” Ward
1982 E.J. “Eddie” McMahon
1981 D.M. “Denny” Leonard
1980 T.J. “Mike” Kearns
1979 Charles C. Chesser
1978 James J. “Jamie” O’Connell -
The Irish Lady of the Year award is given to a true Irish lady in appreciation of her continued support of community programs, her unselfish assistance to those in need, and her tireless efforts to improve the welfare of her Irish brethren.
2025 Philomena Mooney
2024 Patricia Armstrong Nichols
2023 Theresa Mokray Gasser
2022 Elizabeth Real Cibak
2021 Kimberly Dolyniuk White
2020 Kimberly Dolyniuk White
2019 Estelle Mulherin Duncan
2018 Maureen Grady Lewis
2017 Carol Eicher
2016 Annie Emmett
2015 Elizabeth Mulherin
2014 Patricia Scoggins
2013 Ann Ribock
2012 Louise Sheehan
2011 Shelia Wilson
2010 Louise Wright
2009 Cathy Covert
2008 Marguerite L. Welch
2007 Jane Eubanks
2006 Pat Real
2005 Mary Ward
2004 Margaret Regan
2003 Carroll Kelly
2002 Norah Byrne Schweers
2001 Jeanne Cooney
2000 Mary Williams
1999 May Lyons
1998 Arline Kelly
1997 Marge Douglas
1996 Norma Ellen Malchow
1995 Louise Thompson
1994 Elizabeth Sheehan
1993 Agnes H. Vaughan
1992 Anne V. Casey
1991 Eileen Rhodes
1990 Anne K. McCarthy
1989 Helen S. Evans
1988 Helen H. O’Connell
1987 Ann M. Leonard -
The Irish Family of the Year award is given to the Irish family that best exemplifies love of God, devotion to family, and the richness of their Irish heritage. The Irish Family of the Year is held in high esteem.
2025 Thomas Poteet Family
2024 Gene & Ann Marie McManus Family
2023 Julian Vaughan “Sonny” Casey Family
2022 Sean & Kristi Burke Family
2021 Phillip & Kellie Laird Family
2020 Phillip & Kellie Laird Family
2019 Jack & Marian Scherer Family
2018 Raymond & Caroline Brady Family
2017 Richard & Mary Bowles Family
2016 Dennis & Ann Leonard Family
2015 Mike Mosner Family
2014 Leland Malchow Family
2013 Bill Bambrick Family
2012 Bernard Mulherin Family
2011 Jack Markwalter Family
2010 Joseph E. Kelly Family
2009 Arline Kelly Family
2008 John Douglas Family
2007 Dr. David Tribby Family
2006 William Herman Family
2005 Ferris Dorr Family
2004 Milton Burroughs Family
2003 Don Grady Family
2002 Mrs. Joseph A. Armstrong Family
2001 Philip Kelly Family
2000 Patrick Douglas Family
1999 Warren Lamar Family
1998 Dr. William Real Family
1997 Fritz M. McCarthy Family
1996 G. Worth Andrews, Jr. Family
1995 John W. Burke, Jr. Family
1994 Edward D. Welch Family
1993 Jane Markwalter Eubanks Family
1992 Katherine Kelly Farr Family
1991 Jerry Mooney Family
1990 R. Floyd Gambill, Jr. Family
1989 John P. Regan Family
