Mayo Society of Cleveland 2017 Ball Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum October 7, 2017
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.
The 2017 Mayo Ball, honoring Chris Connor, former CEO of Sherwin Williams, was held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. This was the first time the Mayo Ball was held in the Rock Hall and guests were able to tour the entire Museum.
Sean Hardy, Board Member of the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland welcomed the crowd to the annual Mayo Banquet and Ball.
Sean Hardy
Sean introduced Mary Agnes Kennedy who led the singing of the national anthems of Ireland and the United States.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
Mary Agnes Kennedy
Sean Hardy then introduced Greg Harris, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum who welcomed the crowd.
Greg Harris
Gerry Quinn, president of the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland spoke next.
Gerry Quinn
Gerry spoke about Chris Connor, former CEO of Sherwin Williams and the 2017 Person of the Year. After the introduction a short humorous video was shown of Chris Connor traveling to Ireland (and enjoying a Guinness).
Chris Connor and Gerry Quinn
Chris Connor video
Watching the Chris Connor video
Gerry Quinn then presented Chris Connor with a beautiful bowl from County Mayo.
Next, Gerry Quinn introduced Justin Dolan the new Consul General of Ireland from the Chicago District.
Justin Dolan
Gerry spoke about the relationship between John Carroll University and Galway University and introduced Dr. Jeanne Colleran the President of John Carroll University.
Dr. Jeanne Colleran
Next, Seamus Kavanagh of the Galway University Foundation spoke.
Seamus Kavanagh
Next, Gerry introduced Mayo County Council's John Caulfield.
John Caulfield
Next, Achill Island Development Board Member Kenneth Deery told of the new museum in Achill.
Kenneth Deery
Just before dinner, Gerry Quinn introduced Fr. John McNulty whose parents came from Achill Island and Donegal 90 years ago. Father McNulty gave the invocation before dinner.
Fr. John McNulty
Gerry Quinn was rightly pleased with the on-schedule series of short, but sweet, speeches.
Gerry Quinn
After dinner, guests toured the Rock Hall and enjoyed performances from the Murphy Irish Dancers and Mary's Lane. Here are some highlights of the Murphy Irish Dancers performing in both soft and hard shoes.
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