Smithwick’s® Irish Ale Introduces New Irish American Hall of Fame Hometown Hero Award

By Chilled Magazine

IAHOF logo smithwicks ireland's oldest aleSmithwick’s® Irish Ale, Ireland’s most popular ale brewed since 1710, and the Irish American Hall of Fame (IAHOF) honored Hugh and Josie O’Hara as the recipients of first-ever Smithwick’s Irish American Hall of Fame Hometown Hero Award at the 2013 Awards Gala on Saturday, June 1. The award recognizes and celebrates outstanding Irish American individuals who have contributed to preserving and strengthening Irish heritage in their local community.

[pullquote_left]Hugh and Josie O’Hara did so much to keep the Irish tradition alive in their community – Smithwick’s is proud to honor their legacy.”[/pullquote_left]The O’Haras helped create a home for the Irish American community in Chicago for nearly 40 years by leading countless community organizations and being the founding visionaries of what is now the Irish American Heritage Center – one of the leading centers of Irish culture in the United States and where the 2013 IAHOF Awards Gala took place. The Irish American Heritage Center provides people an Irish library, historical archives, a museum, art gallery, Irish dance and music academies, and genealogy research. The late couple also shaped Chicago’s Irish Community by providing strong leadership of the Shamrock American Club organizing dances, benefits, concerts and gatherings for local Irish Chicagoans. Accepting the award on their behalf were their lifelong friends, Mary and Tom McNamara.

“As a brewery operating in Ireland for more than three centuries, Smithwick’s is deeply rooted in Irish heritage,” said Doug Campbell, Smithwick’s Brand Director, DIAGEO.

Founded in 2010, the IAHOF just celebrated its third induction class of nationally distinguished individuals who are recognized for influence in the areas of arts & humanities, business & industry, public service, sports, religion, education and science.

The 2013 Irish American Hall of Fame Inductees include:

  • James Cagney, actor
  • Harry “Bing” Crosby, actor/singer/songwriter
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald, author
  • Daniel Rooney, U.S. Ambassador
  • Archbishop John Carroll
  • Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
  • Monsignor Ignatius McDermott
  • Colonel Eileen Collins
  • Gene Tunney, boxer and World Heavy Weight Champion

For more information, visit www.iahof.org or call the Irish American Heritage Center at 773-282-7035.

Smithwick’s reminds you to please drink responsibly. You can join the Smithwick’s Facebook community by clicking HERE

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