The Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland was founded in 2004 as a not-for-profit corporation to provide a forum for information and activities of interest to individuals of Irish descent particularly those with ancestral ties to County Mayo.

The Society makes contributions to public charities in the United States that have a link to County Mayo in Ireland or to Ireland, or to public charities in Ireland, or for temporary emergency relief to indigent Irish nationals in the United States who are in urgent need of medical attention, are victims of crime, or victims of man-made or natural disasters.

It's mission is: To promote cultural, charitable, scientific and/or literary exchanges between the People of the United States and the People of Ireland, with particular emphasis on County Mayo, including but not limited to research into the life and times of Irish immigration to America and the study of Irish and Irish-American history.

The 10th Annual Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland Ball was held at The Westin Hotel in downtown Cleveland. It was a very special event in that the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland (MSGC) hosted the 2014 World Convention of Mayo Societies in Cleveland that weekend.

Sean Hardy, Board member of the Mayo Society of Cleveland, welcomed the crowd and introduced James Kilbane from County Mayo who sang both the Irish and US national anthems.

Sean Hardy

James Kilbane

National anthems at Mayo Ball

Father John McNulty then gave the invocation.

Father John McNulty

Mayo Society board member Tom Scanlon introduced Aidan Cronin the Consul General of Ireland - Chicago District.

Tom Scanlon

Aidan Cronin

The Mayor of County Mayo Damien Ryan spoke next. Mayor Ryan said that while he is Mayor of hundreds of thousands in County Mayo, "I am also Mayor of the 3.5 million people who have the green and red of Mayo in their blood."

Mayo Mayor Damien Ryan

Next, Mayo County Council Manager Peter Hynes spoke. He congratulated the Mayo Society of Cleveland for their work on the Mayo World Convention and said that the spirit of Mayo was enshrined in Cleveland the last 2 days.

Mayo County Council Manager Peter Hynes

Then Tom Scanlon introduced Mayo Society of Cleveland President Gerry Quinn who told of when he immigrated to the US in 1961 and saw the Statue of Liberty. He told of the good works that the Mayo Society has done such as the Irish Cultural Garden, scholarships for John Carroll University students and more. They also work to foster stronger business bonds between Ohio and Ireland.

Gerry Quinn

Then Mayo Society of Cleveland President Gerry Quinn introduced US Senator Rob Portman who spoke about the accomplishments of the 2014 honoree Ed Crawford such as his business background and community contributions such as the Irish Cultural Garden.

Gerry Quinn introduced US Senator Rob Portman

US Senator Rob Portman

Then Senator Portman introduced Colin Crawford, grandson of honoree Ed Crawford, who introduced his grandfather.

Ed Crawford's grandson Colin Crawford

Before Ed Crawford came to the podium, Aidan Cronin the Consul General of Ireland - Chicago District, introduced a special guest. Taoiseach of Ireland Enda Kenny couldn't be at the ball this year but he created a special video message for the 2014 honoree Ed Crawford.