Hoboken Man Named 2016 Young Irishman of the Year

Hoboken, NJ – The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges today announced that Hoboken resident Seann J. Farrell will be honored as the 2016 Young Irishman of the Year.

Farrell will receive his award at the group’s 115th Anniversary Dinner on Tuesday, March 15 at Mayfair Farms in West Orange.

According to a news release, the honor has been bestowed upon distinguished individuals including Governor Brendan Byrne (’51), Governor Richard J. Codey (’79), Assemblyman John F. McKeon and more.

“We are pleased to name Seann Farrell as our 2016 Young Irishman of Year,” Owen V. McNany, president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges stated. “Our board of trustees look to honor an individual with strong Irish roots who has made a significant impact in his career, community and beyond. As a member of the faculty and coaching staff at Seton Hall Prep, Seann serves as an educator and role model to hundreds of students on a daily basis. His impact as a mentor will leave a lasting impression on our next generation of community leaders.”

According to a news release, Farrell currently serves as a math teacher, member of the varsity football staff and head coach of the freshman lacrosse team at Seton Hall Preparatory School. He is also an advisor to the schools Gaelic Society, which celebrates Irish history and tradition.

In addition, Farrell played football and lacrosse at Delbarton School and was the team captain of the football team, earning 2nd team All Parochial honors as a linebacker and winning the state championship in 1998. He was recruited to play football at Fordham University, helping to win its first-ever Patriot League championship in 2002.

He graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Farrell’s family is deeply connected in its Irish Heritage, organizers stated. His great grandparents, Bridget and Michael Farrell, emigrated to American from County Galway, entering through Ellis Island. His grandfather, Joseph J. Farrell, was active in the Essex County Irish community and served as the 1980 Grand Marshal of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Farrell currently resides in Hoboken with his wife, Agnese Amato.

Delran resident Bernard M. Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company and former New Jersey Deputy Attorney General will serve as the guest speaker at the annual event, which celebrates Irish heritage.

A portion of the proceeds from the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Oranges’ 115th Anniversary Dinner will be donated to the Seton Hall Preparatory School Scholarship fund in the memory of last year’s honoree, Brendan Tevlin, Project Children, which brings together Catholic and Protestant children from Northern Ireland on visits to the U.S. and to the Irish Way Program of the Irish American Cultural Institute, which awards scholarships to Irish American high school students for summer study in Ireland.

Tickets to the gentlemen-only, black tie-preferred event are $100. Reservations can be obtained by emailing friendlysonsnj@gmail.com or by calling Patricia Cambouris at 973-422-2974.

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