New Castle County Irish Society

10-WEEK CLUB WINNERS 2025

Our 10-Week Club began on October 15 and will conclude on December 17.

The Winners are:

Week 1 – $100, Terri Jones; $75, Phyllis Pini; $50, Jennifer Atwood

Week 2 – $75, Tom Kane; $50, Ed & Cathy Jones; $25, Pat Stryzs

Week 3 – $75, Eugenia Sparks, $50, Betty Daly; $25, Jimmy Giles

Week 4 – $75, Sharon Giles; $50 MJ Andreoli; $25, Denise Alessandrini

Week 5 – $75, R Neville; $50, Rosemary Timoney; $25, Sara Thomas

Week 6 – $75, Eugenia Spark; $50, Louise Glenn; $25, Evelyn Jennings

Week 7 – $75, Jennifer Atwood; $50, Jeff & Jane Morton; $25, Erin O’Tool

Week 8 – $75, Sharon Williams; $50, Courtney Giles; $25, Thomas Kane

Week 9 – $75, Sharon Williams; $50, Staci DiIenno; $25, Jennifer Atwood

Week 10 – $500, Lucy Knappenberger; $250, Courtney Giles;

$100, Marie Skilling

Congratulations to all of the winners

THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY IRISH SOCIETY ERIN AWARD WINNERS FOR 2024

The New Castle County Irish Society presents the “Erin Award” each year to a member to honor his or her dedication and service within our Club. The “Erin Award” for 2024 has been awarded to Holly Gray for her dedication and contribution to the promotion of Irish Heritage and Culture. Holly has been a member of the NCCIS for many years. She presently serves as Treasurer on our Board. She also serves as a bartender and helps manage our hall. Previously, Holly served as a member of the Board and helped with the Fest Ad Book. She is always ready to help out whether it is running errands or accommodating clients with set-up times. We recognize and thank Holly for her commitment to the New Castle County Irish Society! The “Erin Award” plaque was presented to Holly at our After Parade Party on March 9, 2024.

2024 IRISH HERITAGE MONTH

The Irish Society of Delmarva, Dover organized a meeting with Delaware Governor John Carney, where he proclaimed March as Irish Heritage Month. NCCIS was represented by Terri Jones and Jonathan Allen. It was open to all Irish organizations in the State.

2023 IRISH HERITAGE MONTH

The Irish Society of Delmarva, Dover organized a meeting with Delaware Governor John Carney, where he proclaimed March as Irish Heritage Month. NCCIS was represented by Cathy Jones, President, and Bill Hickey, VP. It was open to all Irish organizations in the State.

THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY IRISH SOCIETY ERIN AWARD WINNERS FOR 2020

The New Castle Count Irish Society presents the “Erin Award” each year to a member to honor his or her dedication and service within our Club. The “Erin Award” for 2020 has been awarded to George and Eleanor Williams for their dedication and contribution to the promotion of Irish Heritage and Culture. They have been dedicated volunteers for our Irish Society. For many years George has donated one of his cars to drive the Erin Award winner in the St. Patrick Day parade. This year his son will drive them in the parade. Eleanor is one of our Irish dancers who attend dance class every Wednesday night at the club. She is also a baker who donates wonderful bake goods for our Irish Festival and St. Patrick Day Dinner. They both volunteer their time to help decorate our hall for whatever event we might have. George and Eleanor are both here to promote Irish culture and this is the motto of our Irish Society. Congratulations, George and Eleanor, and thank you for all you do for our Irish Society. Since the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled The Erin Award plaque will be presented to them at a later date. Congratulations, George and Eleanor, and again thank you for your time and dedication to the Irish Society.

THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY IRISH SOCIETY 2019 ERIN AWARD

The New Castle Count Irish Society presents the “Erin Award” each year to a member to honor his or her dedication and service within our Club. The “Erin Award” for 2019 has been awarded to Eugenia Sparks for her dedication and contribution to the promotion of Irish Heritage and Culture. Eugenia and her husband Tom have been members and our Vendor for many years and since Tom’s passing, she has continued to be our Vendor; bringing a fantastic variety of Irish merchandise to all of our events. She has fulfilled Tom’s dream of opening an Irish gift store a few years ago – “Irish Rose Unique Irish and Celtic Gifts” in Milford, Delaware. Eugenia has for many years been very generous to the Irish Society by donating all of the decorations for our Fest and St. Patrick Day events. Congratulations, Eugenia, and thank you for all you do for our Irish Society. The 2019 Erin Award was presented to Eugenia at our After Parade Party on March 16.

~ THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY IRISH SOCIETY 2018 ERIN AWARD ~

The New Castle County Irish Society “Erin Award” is presented each year to a member to honor his or her dedication and service within our Club. The “Erin Award” for 2018 has been awarded to Theresa Meren for her dedication and contributions to the promotion of Irish Heritage and Culture Theresa is a Charter Member of the NCC Irish Society and has served on the Club’s Board of Directors and many of the Committees in the past. She enjoys taking Irish Dance lessons on Wednesday evenings, is a regular at our monthly Ceili and has been a volunteer for many years in “Annie’s Tea House” at our Fest. Theresa always has a smile and a cheerful greeting for everyone she meets and shares this with Ed, her husband for over 60 years, and their 6 children and 8 grandchildren.

Theresa, the Irish Society wishes to thank you for your dedication and the time you spend with us.

Theresa Meren (center) surrounded by her family when she was presented

the 2018 Erin Award at the NCCIS “After Parade Party” on March 10, 2018.

March 2018 - "Irish Heritage Month"

On March 1, 2018, John Carney, the Governor of Delaware, declared March "Irish Heritage Month". All of the Irish organizations in Delaware were invited to the Governor's office for the reading and signing of the Proclamation. Representing The New Castle County Irish Society were our President, Phyllis White Pini, Secretary, Cathy Jones, and Bill Hickey.

2017 St. Patrick's Day Parade

It was a cold day in Wilmington, but it didn't stop our members and dancers from marching up King St. in Wilmington.

March 2017 - "Irish Heritage Month"

John Carney, the Governor of Delaware, declared March "Irish Heritage Month". All of the Irish organizations in Delaware were invited to the Governor's office for the reading and signing of the Proclamation. Representing The New Castle County Irish Society were our President, Phyllis White Pini, Bill Hickey, Cathy Jones, and Carol Reilly.

Irish Heritage Month 2016

Jack Merkell, the Governor of Delaware, declared March "Irish Heritage Month". All of the Irish organizations in Delaware were invited to the Governor's office for the reading and signing of the Proclamation. Representing The New Castle County Irish Society were Cathy Jones, Ellie and George Williams.

Film of our November 2015 Ceili by Wilmington College

Wilmington College visited The New Castle County Irish Society’s February Ceili and filmed our dancers and interviewed Bud Burke and Mary Collins. It is to be included in their class on Irish Culture.

Here is a link to their video

https://wilmu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Irish-American+Heritage+and+CultureA+A+Local+Perspective/1_hy7qa1ce

IRISH HERITAGE MONTH - March 2015

Jack Merkell, the Governor of Delaware, declared March "Irish Heritage Month". On March 2, 2015, all of the Irish organizations in Delaware were invited to the Governor's office for the reading and signing of the Proclamation. Representing The New Castle County Irish Society were Phyllis White Pini, President; Jim Blackburn, Director; and Bill Hickey, Director.

Governor Jack Merkell reading the Proclamation declaring
March 2015 "Irish Heritage Month

Governor Jack Merkell with all members of the Irish Organizations
who attended the reading and signing of the Proclamation

Irish Heratage Month, March 2014

Irish groups in Delaware meeting with the Governor of Delaware, Jack Markell, on March 5, 2014 to proclaim March as "Irish Heritage Month". Representing the New Castle County Irish Society were Phyllis White Pini, President; Cathy Jones, Secretary; and Bill Hickey, Director.