Mayor Salutes Tarbert Woman’s Achievements in New York

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The Mayor of Kerry, Cllr. John Francis Flynn, who is visiting New York, has welcomed the announcement (March 15) of Government support of €500,000 for the redevelopment of Gaelic Park in The Bronx, which continues to have strong Kerry associations. The redevelopment project is being led by Tarbert native Joan Henchy, chairperson of New York GAA, whom Mayor Flynn saluted at a function in the Irish Consulate. Earlier, Tánaiste & Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michael Martin TD confirmed ‘the Government’s support for the $4.5 million project in The Bronx under the Emigrant Support Programme.
 
Speaking to the Kerry County Council delegation, Joan Henchy said the works would secure the future of Gaelic Park. Two million dollars have already raised or committed and with the Government funding she was confident that the project could be completed by the centenary of Gaelic Park in 2026. She expressed her appreciation for the support she received from the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD and GAA Headquarters in Dublin. Gaelic Park was purchased by the New York GAA in 1926 and operated by the famous John Kerry O’Donnell from West Kerry for 50 years from 1941. Joan’s father, former Senator Dan Kiely, was very involved in Gaelic Park when he was based in New York. 
 
Joan Henchy was born in Yonkers, NY but raised in Tarbert, and has been a force in the New York GAA and her beloved Kerry Football Club for more than two decades, holding various leadership positions and devoting countless hours to helping both organizations thrive. In 2019 she became the first female chairperson of New York GAA and was last month awarded the GAA President’s international award for her long service to New York GAA.