North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared March 2017 as Irish American Heritage month.

The 2016 Irish Music Festival will be September 17th on South Taylor Street in downtown Wake Forest from 11am-7pm.

http://www.raleighirishfestival.com/

Brother John M. Ryan, a past officer of the North Carolina AOH and the Governor Thomas Burke AOH Division (Wake County), passed away on August 5, 2016.

Online Obituary

John Michael Ryan

JULY 30, 1941 – AUGUST 5, 2016

YOUNGSVILLE

John Michael Ryan, 75, of Youngsville, NC passed away on August 5, 2016 surrounded by family. John was born July 30, 1941 to John and Barbara (Smith) Ryan (both deceased) and grew up in the Albany, NY area with his brother Walter (also deceased).

He is survived by his spouse of 37 years, Anne Fitzsimons Ryan, three children; Mary Elizabeth (Brad) McAdams of Raleigh, NC, Shawn (Amber) Ryan of Richmond, VA, and Scott (Jessica) DiMartino of Charleston, SC, his grandchildren Ella, Jack, Connor, Alexandra, Meghan and Jake, and his beloved dog, Marley.

John was a veteran of the United States Navy and was a computer and business systems developer while that field was in its infancy. He received an Associate Degree in Accounting from Albany Business College and taught computer math at Ulster Community College in the late 1960’s. His career included long tenures with Xerox and IBM. At various times he called Albany, NY, Saugerties, NY, Rochester, NY, Sacramento, CA, and finally Youngsville, NC home. Stationed in Naples, Italy during his enlistment, his personal and professional travels also took him to New York City, Cairo, Egypt and Copenhagen, Denmark among other places.

John will be remembered for his love of God, family, friends, the New York Yankees, horse racing and his Irish heritage. A parishioner at St. Catherine’s of Siena in Wake Forest, he enjoyed men’s bible study and service to his parish and his community. As a boy visiting his great aunt, Sister Mary Michael Ryan, in the Bronx, he developed a life-long passion for the Yankees, and he attended many games – the apex being Game 1 of the 1998 World Series. Horse racing was another love, which he shared with many dear friends. He loved nothing more than a summer weekend in Saratoga – win or lose. Throughout his life he remained devoted to his Irish and Roman Catholic heritage and is a past President of the Rochester and Raleigh Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Despite his many interests he always had time for his family and friends – you would find no one more loyal, generous, humorous or caring in your corner.

The family would like to recognize the many extraordinary caregivers from REX Hospital, UNC Cancer Center and Transitions LifeCare who ministered to John and our family over the last few weeks of John’s life. We appreciate your attentiveness, compassion and willingness to learn about the man in your care.

Visitation is Tuesday evening, August 9th from 6-8:00 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Wednesday, August 10th at 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 600 W Holding Ave, Wake Forest, NC.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The USO at uso.org, an organization founded in the year of his birth, and which he supported regularly.

A service of Bright Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest, NC(919) 556-5811 www.brightfunerals.com

The Raleigh Irish Music Festival has moved to Wake Forest – join us in our new location!

http://www.raleighirishfestival.com/

The 2016 Raleigh Irish Music Festival will be on September 17th in downtown Wake Forest.

The Hibernian Charity of Wake County is offering raffle tickets for sale to raise funds for donation to charities, schools, churches, and student scholarships.

The prize is a 7 day/6 night trip for four to Ireland -OR- $5,000

The trip for four Includes:
• Round trip airfare to Ireland
• Rental vehicle
• B&B lodging

Restrictions:
• Travel must occur within one year of drawing March 5, 2016
• No blackout dates

Tickets $100 each with a total of 125 tickets sold.

• All proceeds after expenses will be given to charities chosen by the AOH and are presented at the AOH Annual St Patrick’s Day dinner/dance
• The winning ticket will be drawn March 5, 2016 at the AOH Annual St Patrick’s Day dinner/dance at St. Michael’s in Cary
• The winning ticket holder need not be present to win
• Tickets are consecutively numbered and a complete list of entrants will be maintained

The annual St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, March 5th, 2016 at 6:30 pm. The fun-filled evening will be held at St. Michael the Archangel’s Parish Center, 804 High House Rd, Cary, NC. A buffet of traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie,  vegetarian option, potatoes, salad and Irish soda bread will be the fare for the night – wine and beer is included in the ticket price. A DJ will play Irish favorites and other great dance tunes and Irish Dancers from Tríonóide Academy of Irish Dance will start the festivities. The winner of the Trip for four to Ireland Raffle will be drawn during the evening with the raffle proceeds being presented to national and local charities.

Dinner Dance Tickets are $30 per person – to purchase contact Eddie Foley at 919-217-1264.

Wake AOH Dinner Dance 2016

As many of you may be aware, Annie Nice was mugged and badly beaten outside her home on Tuesday January 26, 2016.  The brutal attack has left her in a neck brace and barely able to walk.  Surgery will be required to repair the damage.  A fundraiser will be held on Friday, February 5^th from 5:30–9:30 pm at the Knights of Columbus at 4301 Columbus Club Drive in Raleigh, NC 27604.  The AOH House Band, Ewe’s Tree will provide the entertainment while the Knights of Columbus will be selling chicken and BBQ dinner plates.  There will be several raffles as well.  The money raised will go to Annie and her family to help with the cost of hospital bills and other expenses.

Fundraiser Calendar Event 

WRAL Story

GoFundMe setup for Annie’s benefit: https://www.gofundme.com/quxrbadg