Home Page

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
I hope this message finds you well and cool during this most delightful summer season. Like many of you, I have been enjoying the abundance of sunshine while exhausting vacation time with the family, to include a fabulous honeymoon in Aruba that Katie & I so appreciated. Before I go on elaborating about my thoughts and upcoming events, I must first express my excitement over the much attended June meeting at O’Rourke’s Tavern and offer the society’s gratitude to proprietor Michael O’Rourke (President – Warwick Ancient Order of Hibernians) for his warm hospitality and kind gestures that evening. I take this opportunity to also thank lifetime member, Rhode Island State police Captain, and Garda Band member Captain Darren Delaney who presented an illuminating and incisive account of local Irish history. We have long enjoyed and will continue to relish in the company of Captain Delaney.

It was delighting to see old and new friends that evening in a room filled with comradely, laughter, and fraternalism. I am certain August will prove to be equally entertaining with the upcoming Irish Concert Night and Annual Steak Fry in the works (see attached flyers).

In keeping with my intentions as your President to promote Irish history and culture, I challenged myself to explore my Irish heritage and to further appreciate the sacrifices of Irish Immigrants. This endeavor has been a compelling and profound experience as I engrossed myself in books: “The Irish in Rhode island- a Historical appreciation” by Patrick T. Conley and “The Irish Americans” by Jay P. Dolan, as well as delved into my family genealogy. I encourage all members, mindful of the day-to-day hustle and bustle, to read a story of the Irish in America with great appreciation for our ancestors’ tragedies and triumphs and/or research your own family lineage. It is with this remembrance in mind, that I announce a portion of the upcoming steak fry proceeds will benefit the Rhode Island Irish Famine Memorial Fund.

Events

Irish Night: I have graciously accepted an invitation from The Village at South County Commons for the Society to host the August meeting on site and take part in their Irish Concert Night scheduled for 6-8pm on 8/4/11. The monthly meeting will start promptly at 6pm with a special appearance from Congressional Candidate Colonel Brendan Doherty (RISP Ret.) as well as our beloved Cora from Cork who will be providing the entertainment that evening. Please join us on this Society summer road trip. Bring extra cash for the local food and beverage vendors serving our favorite Irish cuisine. Please see enclosed flyer for details. Visit site for directions: www.southcountycommons.com

2011 Steak Fry: Secretary Gina Merola, Claire, Ellen, Carol, and Nancy have once again planned the RIPOES Annual Steak Fry to be held on 8/27/2011. This event is the primary fund raiser that generates proceeds to benefit numerous year-round charities near and dear to the Society, to include this year’s considerable donation to the Rhode Island Irish Famine Memorial Fund. Althgought the monument is erected, much time and money is necessary to maintain the site. Please see the attached flyer for details.

News

On September 2, 1961, Eighteen year old Helen Power left Ireland with her "Irish twin" sister, Veronica and headed overseas to the United States. Both young ladies were hired in separate families as au pairs. They began their life here and both eventually became U.S. citizens, got married and had children. Helen Leger now has 6 grandchildren living in the United States and continues to visit family in her homeland. She was born in the Town of Clonmel County, Tipperary in the Republic of Ireland. One of her grandchildren is Grace Reddington, 6 years old, who suffers from a severe neurological disorder called Rett Syndrome. Grace has been an inspiration to her 4 siblings, Mom and Dad, Tara and David Reddington. Grace also is an inspiration to her community as she continues to fight against the devastating effects of this disease every day.

The RIPOES welcomes Grace Reddington as an Honorary New Member of RIPOES.

RIPOES member Richmond Police Officer Jim Patton presented Grace with her membership card and pin along with a few police patches.

All the best to Grace and her family!

Acknowledgement

Special thanks to member Ed Johnson for his craftmanship in making the plaque presented to Immediate Past-President John “Smitty” Smith at the June meeting, which is on display at O’Rourke’s Tavern (Smitty charging to see this work of art). Personal praise to member, Lieutenant Russ Hayes for his outstanding bagpipe performance at my wedding, the Honrable Superior Court Associate Justice Francis Darigan Jr. for officiating, and Cora from Cork for her delightful sounds that evening. It was truly an irish wedding.

Notes

We are in the process of updating the master membership and e-mail distribution list and ask that if you haven’t done so, please provide Gina Merola gmerola@cox.net with your current e-mail, telephone number, and mailing address. I assure you this information will only be shared with society executive staff on a need-to-know basis.

I am also looking to update and revise our website. Please visit the site at www.ripoes.com and e-mail mail with any suggestions jcoffey19@verizon.net

Next Meeting
Next meeting

Thursday, August 4, 2011
The Village at South County Commons
Irish Concert Night