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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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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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.”

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