Mayo Society of New York Honorees 2018

Mary Coyne Byrne

Mary Coyne-Byrne, a Woodside native and resident, her deep Irish roots and her love and respect for her Irish heritage and culture frame the very essence of Mary. Her connections to Mayo are evident in her family tree.

Her father, Paddy, was born in Shanvally Cahill Tourmakeady and her mother, Kit, was born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, to Mary (nee Prendergast) and Patrick Lydon, Gortmore and Derry Park, Tourmakeady, respectively. Mary was born the sixth of seven children, attended BVM Help of Christians School in Woodside, Queens Vocational HS and Queens College before pursuing a career in travel.

She currently is a corporate travel agent for Japan Travel Bureau, NYC. Her career in travel has assisted in forging strong connections with family and friends in Ireland who share and cultivate Irish traditions andculture. Mary is an ambassador for Irish causes collaborating with many parties to recognize thecontributions of the Irish in the world, fundraising and serving on boards in New York.

Mary is a Past President of the Mayo Society, Delegate to the United Irish Counties, Board member to the American Society, Mineola and PR tactician for the NY Mayo Football club. It is no wonder that through her involvement in these associations that she met and married her beloved Noel Byrne, a fine Roscommon man. As we honor Mary Coyne Byrne, as Mayo Woman of the year, we honor all her Mayo family and Irish roots and deepen the call to keep the traditions alive.

Tony McGarry

Tony McGarry was born November 2, 1938 in the village of Aughoose, Co. Mayo. He left Ireland in September of 1959 and sailed to America on the "SS America", where it took eight days to arrive in New York.

Tony enjoyed the“ship life” where he played his accordion every night and met interesting people. Tony got a job thefollowing week in the Meat Packing District as a butcher. He worked there for 26 and half years and in the interim,ventured into Real Estate where he achieved great success.

Tony met the woman of his dreams Mary Flynn, at a Céili and has been happily married for over twenty-one years. They have a daughter Meghan who resides in Nashville and is a Pastry Chef/Media Personality. Tony is an active member in the Irish Community and enjoys celebrating all things Irish, such as Irish cruises, Irish weekends and playing the button accordion.

Tony is very proud to be an American; and is extremely proud of the village in Mayo, where he came from stating “It is important to remember your roots and even more important to always honor those roots”.