2008 Hibernian of the Year Carmel Reilly

Carmel Reilly, the 2008 Hibernian of the Year, has been a proud member of the AOH for the past eight years and has been involved in numerous activities along the way. Her Irish pride and commitment to the AOH and its causes resulted in her being bestowed this well deserved honor.

Carmel is the daughter of Matt and Moira Reilly, fellow Hibernians from Blauvelt where Carmel grew up along with her three sisters. The family's Irish heritage was proudly incorporated into everyday life and Irish step-dancing lessons resulted in Carmel being a participant in Rockland County's first ever Feis in 1974!

2008 Hibernian of the Year Carmel Reilly
Carmel Reilly
2008 Hibernian of the Year Through the years, Carmel has participated in all things Irish: St. Patrick's Day parades, Irish Festivals, Feiseanna to mention just a few events. As a child she spent time sitting in her parent's living room listening to WFUV on Sunday afternoons as she honed her love of her parent's native land and later studied Ireland's history in depth. Carmel joined the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 3 in the fall of 2001 and quickly joined the Rockland County St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee. In 2003, she was part of the newly formed Halfway to St. Patrick's Day committee. As chairperson of the committee's highly successful Night at the Races, over $20,000 was raised for the Rockland County St. Patrick's Day Parade over the next two years.

As a Ladies AOH member, Carmel was always ready to volunteer to help out. She has been the chairperson for over a dozen Christmas and St. Patrick's Day dinners. She has been a steady fixture at the Rockland County AOH/LAOH Feis for several years and was a co-chairperson, along with Michael O'Sullivan, of the Feis journal for two years.

In 2004, Carmel began raising funds for the Rockland Gaelic Athletic Association. Carmel and her good friend, John Lowry, developed an 8-week Pub Quiz which was a great success. The Pub Quiz is now midway through its 5th season and is storming along - bigger and better than ever!

In 2006, Carmel and John joined some friends and invested in two racehorses managed by West Point Thoroughbreds - and one of those, Tater Tutt recently won his fifth race from his last six starts. So the winner's circle is now one of Carmel's favorite places to be!

Carmel, a Dominican College alumnus, is employed as the Treasury/Budget Manager for Common Ground, an organization that helps the homeless find housing. Carmel, an enthusiastic fan of the Yankees and Giants, resides in Pearl River.

From working with the AOH county board assisting hurricane victims or sending a notice of a fundraiser to hundreds of supporters, Carmel tirelessly gives her time and energy to the AOH. Carmel is a proud member of the Ladies AOH but the LAOH should be proud to have such a dedicated individual among their ranks. Carmel thanks the Rockland County Ancient Order of Hibernians for this wonderful honor. She is humbled. God Bless.