Emmett Woods Honored By Rockland Lawmakers

From the Rockland County Legislature

Emmett Woods, a self-made business owner who has spent decades serving the community and supporting Irish cultural activities, was honored during a celebration of Irish Heritage Month by Rockland County Legislators Vincent D. Tyer, Patrick J. Moroney and Christopher J. Carey.

“Emmett Woods has repeatedly been there for the community, leading by example and becoming a role model for us all,” Legislator Tyer said. “He is part of a family larger than his own and his service and activism helps to keep the Irish culture vibrant and alive.”

Said Legislator Moroney, “Emmett is a successful business owner who knows the value of a good investment – and that’s what he’s done since settling in Pearl River – invest in his wonderful family with his wife Moira, in beautiful athletic fields where generations of children will play and in a clubhouse where top-notch Gaelic footballers and hurlers come to play. His contributions have been many and they will pay dividends for generations to come.”

Woods was named Grand Marshal of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, as designated by the Rockland County Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Also honored by the Legislature was William Young of Nanuet, this year’s Hibernian of the Year, also as designated by the Rockland AOH.

Woods is a native of Pomeroy in County Tyrone, Ireland, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1985. He and his wife are parents of Moira Jr, Emmett Jr. Shanagh and Seamus, and have lived in Pearl River in 1995.

Woods worked in construction and eventually started his own construction company in 1990. He has owned Emmett Mahoney’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Poughkeepsie since opening it in 2004.

A member of the Rockland Gaelic Athletic Association since 1996, Woods both played and coached, including taking the underage team to Ireland and helping to coach a championship team that won the Feile in 2004.

In 1999, Woods joined with 23 other families to help secure the funds to purchase the Rockland GAA fields, which have since been fully renovated; a beautiful new club house was recently added. He is currently the development officer for the New York GAA.

Woods has also long been active with the Rockland Irish American Cultural Center in Blauvelt, Hibernian House, and the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, Rockland Chapter. As a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 5, Woods has held the office of Vice-President, been honored as the Rockland County Aide to the Grand Marshal to New York City Parade in 2004, and was recognized by the Rockland County AOH as their Businessman of the Year in 2013.

Young, the Hibernian of the Year, is a graduate of Pearl River High School, who earned a Bachelor’s of Engineering degree and a Master’s in Business Administration from Manhattan College. He has worked with PSE&G utility company for 29 years and is currently Manager of Fuel Supply for PSEG Power.

Young and his wife of 26-plus years, Lois FitzPatrick, are parents of Kerry, Megan and Kiera.

Young has been a member of Rockland AOH Division 3 since 2004 and has served as the division’s Financial Secretary for the past decade. He was named Vice President of the Rockland County AOH in 2017. He has also been a member of the Town of Orangetown’s Planning Board and is a past board member of the Nanuet Black & Gold sports club, serving on the scholarship committees for both the club and the AOH.

“It’s impossible for the AOH to accomplish all it does without the willingness of people like Bill Young to step up and volunteer their time and their expertise to make sure the programs are successful,” Legislator Tyer said. “We thank him for all of his contributions.”

PHOTO: Legislators Vincent D. Tyer (left) and Patrick Moroney (right) presented a Distinguished Service Award to Emmett Woods of Pearl River in recognition of his community service and dedication to promoting Irish culture. The award is the Legislature's highest honor./ Rockland County Legislature