Hosted at the IAHC
Irish American
Hall of Fame
Recognizing the contributions of outstanding Irish Americans — preserving the story of the Irish in America.
About the Hall of Fame
Preserving the
Story of the Irish in America
Founded in 2010, the Irish American Hall of Fame preserves the "story" of the Irish in America — becoming a resource for all Americans, academic researchers, teachers, students, genealogists, cultural historians, and the general public.
The Hall of Fame is operated under the auspices of the Irish American Heritage Center and recognizes and honors the outstanding contributions of Irish Americans to society — paying tribute to exemplary Americans of Irish heritage who have truly shaped the Irish American identity in the United States.
Telling their story preserves our story. The Hall of Fame is a place where the shared story of the Irish in America is available to all with interest in the bond between Ireland and America.
Our Mission
To recognize and honor the outstanding contributions of Irish Americans to society in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Business & Industry, Public Service, Sports, Religion, Education, and Science.
Our Vision
To preserve and promote the "story" of Irish culture by recognizing the contributions of individuals to the Irish-American experience — and making that shared story available to all.
Recognition Categories
Hosted at the IAHC
Home at the Irish American Heritage Center
The Hall of Fame is operated under the auspices of the Irish American Heritage Center — one of the premier Irish cultural organizations in the United States and the largest Irish American heritage center in the country.
About the IAHCAll Hall of Fame Inductees
Honoring Outstanding
Irish Americans
Every inductee from every class since 2011 — search across all years by name, category, or achievement, and filter by induction year.
119 inductees — All Years
2026Business & Industry
Thomas S. Monaghan
Entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Domino's Pizza and owned the Detroit Tigers. Founder and CEO of Legatus International; founded Ave Maria University and Ave Maria Law School.
2026Education
Kathleen Costello-Sullivan, Ph.D.
Mary A. Carroll Endowed Professor at Le Moyne College, where she founded its Irish literature program. Past President of the American Conference for Irish Studies.
2026Public Service
Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland, Jr. (ret.)
Career U.S. Army Special Forces officer (1978–2016) who led Task Force Dagger in Operation Enduring Freedom — one of the most successful unconventional warfare campaigns in modern history.
2026Religion
Archbishop John J. Hughes
Irish-born archbishop of New York (1797–1864); Lincoln's emissary to Europe during the Civil War; founded St. John's College, later Fordham University.
2026Science
Patrick J.V. Corcoran, M.D.
American physician (1912–2000) whose advocacy led to required medication labeling and blood-alcohol testing for motorists in auto accidents.
2026Sports
Robert J. Delaney
Decorated New Jersey State Trooper who infiltrated the Mafia; a 30-year NBA referee and national advocate for PTS awareness among first responders.
2026Hometown Hero
Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band
Founded in 1926 by Tommie Ryan, originally of Irish immigrants in Chicago; has performed at thousands of local, national, and international events.
2026Hometown Hero
Peg O'Ryan Lombardo
Steady force in Chicago's Irish-American philanthropy, including Misericordia, Catholic Charities, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository; past Chairman of the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago.
2025Arts & Humanities
Mick Moloney
Irish-born musician, scholar, and folklorist; National Heritage Fellowship recipient; co-founded The Green Fields of America. Taught at NYU, Penn, and Georgetown.
2025Business & Industry
Joseph J. Ahern
Retired CEO of the 100 Club of Chicago; former president/GM of CBS Chicago and ABC7 Chicago; helped launch The Oprah Winfrey Show.
2025Education
Eoin McKiernan, Ph.D.
Founder of the Irish American Cultural Institute; called "The U.S. Champion of Irish culture and history" by The Irish Times.
2025Public Service
Col. James B. Hickey (U.S. Army ret.)
Retired U.S. Army Colonel who led Operation Red Dawn, the mission that captured Saddam Hussein near Tikrit, Iraq in December 2003.
2025Religion
Rev. Joseph Mulcrone
Chicago priest; Chaplain to the Deaf of the Archdiocese of Chicago for 48 years.
Science
Dr. Joseph Murray
Physician and scientist honored for outstanding contributions to medicine.
Sports
Kevin McHale
NBA Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics great; later head coach of the Houston Rockets.
Hometown Hero
James Sweeney
Chicago honoree recognized for service to the Irish-American community.
2024Arts & Humanities
Ed Ward
Founder of Milwaukee Irish Fest, the world's largest Irish festival; established the Ward Irish Music Archives and the Irish Fest Foundation.
2024Business & Industry
Andrew McKenna
Chairman of McDonald's Corporation (2004–2016); Notre Dame Laetare Medal recipient; "St. Andrew of the Boardroom."
2024Public Service
William "Wild Bill" Donovan
"Father of American Intelligence"; wartime head of the OSS; only person to receive the four highest U.S. awards, including the Medal of Honor.
Religion
Sister Patricia Crowley
Benedictine sister who served people experiencing homelessness; Prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery in Chicago.
2024Sports
John McEnroe
Former World No. 1 tennis player; only male to hold No. 1 in singles and doubles simultaneously; seven Grand Slam singles titles.
Science
Joseph P. Kerwin, MD
Physician and NASA astronaut; first physician selected for astronaut training; Skylab 2 crew member.
Hometown Hero
The Hagerty Family
Chicago family honored as Hometown Hero for their service to the Irish-American community.
2023Arts & Humanities
Mark Howard
Founding Artistic Director of Trinity Academy of Irish Dance and Trinity Irish Dance Company; pioneering choreographer who led U.S. teams to World Championship titles.
2023Business & Industry
John Sexton
Sanitary-landfill pioneer and benefactor who sponsored Irish immigrants including Shannon Rovers founder Tommy Ryan.
2023Public Service
Joanne Hayes-White
25th Chief of the San Francisco Fire Department; at the time, the largest urban fire department in the world with a female chief.
2023Sports
Patrick J. "Patsy" Donovan
County Cork-born MLB player and manager; the most successful Irish-born baseball player in America; signed Babe Ruth to the Red Sox.
2023Religion
Fr. Thomas Mulcrone
Chicago priest honored for his ministry and service to the Irish-American community.
2023Science
Dr. Thomas Earl Starzl
Pioneering transplant surgeon; performed the first liver transplants and Ireland's "miracle boy" transplant; the Starzl Transplantation Institute bears his name.
Hometown Hero
The Walsh Family
Chicago family honored as Hometown Hero for their commitment to the Irish-American community.
2020Arts & Humanities
Conan O'Brien
Comedian and late-night host; SNL and Simpsons writer; at induction the longest-working late-night talk show host in the U.S.
2020Arts & Humanities
Liz Carroll
Irish fiddler and composer from Chicago; Grammy nominee; National Heritage Fellowship recipient; first American-born composer honored with Ireland's Cumadóir TG4.
2020Business & Industry
Kathleen Kennedy
President of Lucasfilm; co-founder of Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg; producer of E.T., Jurassic Park, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
2020Public Service
Jean Kennedy Smith
U.S. Ambassador to Ireland (1993–98); founder of VSA; Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient who helped advance the Northern Ireland peace process.
2020Sports
John F. McDonough
President & CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks during three Stanley Cup championships (2010, 2013, 2015).
2020Religion
Monsignor John "Jack" Egan
Chicago activist priest for social justice and racial equality; marched with Dr. King in Selma; the Egan Office of Urban Education is named for him.
2020Education
Father James F. Maguire
Chicago priest and educator honored for his contributions to education.
2020Science
Rachel Louise Carson
Marine biologist and conservationist; author of Silent Spring, which advanced the global environmental movement.
2019Arts & Humanities
Pat Roche
Chicago dancing legend who developed Irish dancing in Chicago and North America; founded the Chicago Feis in 1945.
2019Business & Industry
James O'Connor
Retired chairman/CEO of Unicom and Commonwealth Edison; co-founded the Big Shoulders Fund; president of the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago.
2019Public Service
Dorothy Day
Journalist and activist who co-founded The Catholic Worker movement; cause for canonization opened by the Church.
2019Public Service
John McCain
U.S. Senator from Arizona and Navy veteran; POW in Vietnam; 2008 Republican Presidential nominee; championed campaign finance reform.
2019Sports
Jack O'Callahan
1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic hockey player; Blackhawks Alumni Association board member.
2019Religion
Rev. L. Scott Donohue
President and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in Chicago.
2019Education
Mother Mary Gerald Barry, O.P.
Prioress General of the Adrian Dominican Sisters (1933–1961); oversaw the opening of 69 parochial schools and three hospitals nationwide.
2019Science
Kathleen "Kay" McNulty
Irish-born mathematician and one of the six original ENIAC programmers during WWII.
2018Arts & Humanities
James T. Farrell
Novelist best known for the Studs Lonigan trilogy; realistic depictions of working-class South Side Irish life.
2018Arts & Humanities
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of No Ordinary Time and Team of Rivals.
2018Business & Industry
Charles Feeney
Philanthropist and founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies; gave away a $7.5 billion fortune derived from Duty Free Shoppers.
2018Public Service
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
47th U.S. Vice President (2009–2017) under Barack Obama; longtime U.S. Senator from Delaware; Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.
2018Sports
Charles Comiskey
MLB player, manager, and owner of the Chicago White Sox; Baseball Hall of Famer; Comiskey Park namesake.
2018Religion
Blessed Solanus Casey
Capuchin Franciscan "Doorkeeper" at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit; beatified by the Catholic Church in 2017.
2018Education
Ann Ida Gannon, BVM, Ph.D.
Educator and former president of the National Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; Laetare Medal recipient.
2018Science
John Phillip Holland
Irish-born engineer; inventor of the modern submarine.
2017Arts & Humanities
Bill Murray
Actor and comedian from Wilmette, IL; Second City and SNL veteran; star of Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day; Academy Award nominee for Lost in Translation.
2017Arts & Humanities
Martin Sheen
Actor born to an Irish mother from Tipperary; star of The West Wing, Apocalypse Now, and Badlands; Laetare Medal recipient.
2017Business & Industry
John Fitzpatrick
President of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group; board member of the American Ireland Fund; honorary OBE for his Northern Ireland peace work.
2017Public Service
Audie Murphy
Most decorated American soldier of WWII; Medal of Honor recipient; later a Hollywood actor in 39 films.
2017Sports
Maureen Connolly
Tennis player; first woman to win the Grand Slam (1953); her career ended at 19 after a riding accident.
2017Religion
Fr. Mychal Judge
FDNY chaplain and Franciscan priest; first recorded casualty of the 9/11 attacks; ministered to the homeless and marginalized.
2017Education
Lawrence McCaffrey, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of History at Loyola University Chicago; co-founded the American Conference on Irish Studies.
2017Science
Mark & Scott Kelly
Identical twin NASA astronauts; Mark flew four Space Shuttle missions and Scott spent a year aboard the International Space Station.
2016Arts & Humanities
Brian Dennehy
Prolific actor of screen and stage; two-time Tony Award winner for Death of a Salesman and Long Day's Journey into Night.
2016Arts & Humanities
Frank McCourt
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Angela's Ashes; longtime New York City teacher.
2016Arts & Humanities
Spencer Tracy
Actor; won consecutive Oscars for Captains Courageous and Boys Town; nine-time Academy Award nominee.
2016Business & Industry
Denis J. Healy
Co-chairman of Turtle Wax, Inc.; holder of eight U.S. patents; past president of the American Ireland Fund of Chicago.
2016Public Service
Edward F. Dunne
First Irish Mayor of Chicago and the only Chicago mayor to also serve as Governor of Illinois; founding president of the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago.
2016Public Service
Thomas Francis Meagher
Young Irelander from Waterford; Civil War Brigadier General of the Irish Brigade; later Governor of the Montana Territory.
2016Sports
Nolan Ryan
MLB pitcher across 27 seasons; 5,714 career strikeouts rank first in history; Baseball Hall of Famer.
2016Religion
Fr. Andrew Greeley
Sociologist, novelist, and columnist; over 100 non-fiction books and 50 novels on Catholic life.
2016Education
Anne Sullivan
"The Miracle Worker"; teacher who helped deaf, blind, and mute Helen Keller learn to communicate.
2016Science
Emily Hanrahan Warner
Aviation pioneer; among the first female commercial airline pilots in the United States.
2015Arts & Humanities
John Huston
Film director, screenwriter, and actor; 15 Oscar nominations and two wins; directed The Maltese Falcon and The African Queen.
2015Arts & Humanities
Gene Kelly
Dancer, actor, singer, and choreographer; star of Singin' in the Rain and An American in Paris.
2015Arts & Humanities
Bob Newhart
Stand-up comedian and actor; Grammy-winning Button-Down Mind album; star of The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart.
2015Business & Industry
Sister Sheila Lyne
Retired CEO of Mercy Hospital; former Chicago Public Health commissioner under Mayor Richard M. Daley.
2015Public Service
Justice Anne McGlone Burke
Illinois Supreme Court Justice and one of the founders of Special Olympics (1968, Soldier Field).
2015Sports
Ben Hogan
Golfer; won all four majors; his 1953 "Hogan Slam" season is among the greatest in golf history.
2015Religion
Father Jack Wall
Chicago priest; pastor of Old St. Patrick's; president of the Catholic Church Extension Society.
2015Education
Mother Frances Warde, RSM
Founded the Sisters of Mercy in the U.S. (1843); established Chicago's first parochial schools and Mercy Hospital.
2015Science
Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD
Geneticist who led the Human Genome Project; director of the NIH; Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.
2014Arts & Humanities
Michael Flatley
Irish-American dancer and choreographer; creator of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance; broke world records for tapping speed.
2014Business & Industry
George Meany
President of the AFL-CIO (1955–1979); led the merger of the AFL and CIO labor federations.
2014Public Service
Commodore John Barry
"Father of the American Navy"; Continental Navy officer from County Wexford.
2014Public Service
Mother Jones
Labor activist from County Cork; led the "Children's Crusade" that helped revolutionize child labor laws.
2014Public Service
Ronald Reagan
40th President of the United States and 33rd Governor of California; negotiated the end of the Cold War.
2014Sports
Connie Mack
Longest-serving manager in MLB history; holds records for wins, losses, and games managed; Baseball Hall of Famer.
2014Religion
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Pioneering televangelist; Emmy-winning host of Life Is Worth Living; cause for sainthood opened in 2002.
2014Education
Mother Mary Frances Clarke, BVM
Dublin-born founder of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1833).
2014Science
Michael Collins
Apollo 11 command module pilot; Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient; later Director of the National Air & Space Museum.
2013Arts & Humanities
James Cagney
Actor best remembered for tough-guy roles; won the Oscar for portraying George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy; AFI Lifetime Achievement honoree.
2013Arts & Humanities
Harry "Bing" Crosby
Singer and actor; one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century; Academy Award winner for Going My Way.
2013Arts & Humanities
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Author who coined the "Jazz Age"; wrote The Great Gatsby; widely regarded as one of the greatest 20th-century American writers.
2013Business & Industry
Daniel Rooney
Chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers; U.S. Ambassador to Ireland (2009–2012); namesake of the "Rooney Rule."
2013Public Service
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
U.S. Senator from NY; ambassador to the UN and India; one of the "four horsemen" crafting the Northern Ireland peace accord.
2013Sports
Gene Tunney
Undefeated heavyweight boxing champion (1926–1928); defeated Jack Dempsey twice in the famous Long Count Fight.
2013Religion
Monsignor Ignatius McDermott
Chicago South Side priest devoted to social justice and ministry.
Science
Col. Eileen Collins
USAF Colonel and NASA astronaut; first female Space Shuttle pilot and commander.
2012Arts & Humanities
George M. Cohan
America's greatest showman; writer, actor, and producer best known for "Over There," honored with the Congressional Gold Medallion.
2012Arts & Humanities
John Ford
Legendary filmmaker with a 50-year career; won six Academy Awards for classics like Stagecoach and The Quiet Man.
2012Arts & Humanities
Tommy Makem
The Bard of Armagh; internationally acclaimed folk singer, musician, poet, and storyteller.
2012Business & Industry
Patrick G. Ryan
Founder and retired executive chairman of AON Corp; founder of Ryan Specialty Group.
2012Public Service
Senator Robert F. Kennedy
U.S. Attorney General and Senator from New York; civil rights activist and crusader against organized crime.
2012Public Service
Mayor Richard M. Daley
Longest-serving Mayor of Chicago (1989–2011); modernized the CTA, beautified the city, and increased tourism.
2012Public Service
Speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, Jr.
Speaker of the House (1977–1987); second longest-serving Speaker in U.S. history; helped craft Northern Ireland peace efforts.
2012Public Service
The Sullivan Brothers
Five brothers who enlisted together in the Navy after Pearl Harbor and perished aboard the USS Juneau; inspired the Sole Survivor Policy.
2012Sports
John L. Sullivan
Heavyweight boxing champion (1882–1892); last bareknuckle champion and first American athlete to earn over $1 million.
2012Religion
Father Edward Flanagan
Catholic priest born in Roscommon; founder of Boys Town; declared a Servant of God in 2012.
2011Arts & Humanities
Maureen O'Hara
Irish film actress and singer from Ranelagh, Dublin; the red-headed Hollywood star became the first naturalized citizen recognized as Irish by the U.S.
2011Arts & Humanities
Eugene O'Neill
America's greatest playwright; author of 45 plays including Long Day's Journey into Night; Pulitzer (twice) and Nobel Prize recipient.
2011Arts & Humanities
Chief Francis O'Neill
Chicago police chief (1901–1905) and collector of traditional Irish music who preserved tunes that might otherwise have been lost.
2011Business & Industry
Henry Ford
Founder of the Ford Motor Company; instrumental in developing the assembly line technique of mass production.
2011Public Service
Mayor Richard J. Daley
Served 21 years as mayor and Democratic boss of Chicago, remembered for keeping the city from the decline of other Rust Belt cities.
2011Public Service
President John F. Kennedy
First Roman Catholic U.S. President; initiated economic programs and civil rights action; formed the American Irish Foundation with Éamon de Valera.
2011Public Service
Senator George Mitchell
U.S. Senator and Senate majority leader; awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his role in the Good Friday Peace Agreement.
2011Sports
Jack Dempsey
Heavyweight boxing champion (1919–1926); one of the most popular boxers in history.
2011Religion
Sr. Rosemary Connelly, RSM
Executive director of Misericordia Heart of Mercy Home for 40+ years; first woman to serve as grand marshall of Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
2011Education
Fr. Patrick Francis Healy, SJ
First African American to earn a PhD, become a Jesuit priest, and become president (Georgetown, 1873–1881) of a major U.S. university.
2011Science
Robert Fulton
Engineer and inventor credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat.
The Annual Gala
A Celebration of
Heritage & Achievement
Each year, the Irish American Hall of Fame hosts a gala evening to celebrate its newest class of inductees, bringing together honorees, their families, sponsors, and the broader Irish-American community for a memorable night of recognition and fellowship.
Thanks to sponsors, advertisers, guests, and inductees and their families, the 14th Annual Hall of Fame Gala was a very special evening. Join us at the 2027 awards gala — check back for details.
Next Gala
2027 — Details Coming Soon
Location
4626 N. Knox Ave. Chicago IL, 60630
Nominate an Inductee
Nominees must have a record of accomplishment in one or more award categories. Learn about the nomination and selection process.
Pathway to InductionSponsor the Gala
Interested in sponsoring the gala or advertising in the program? Download the brochure for details on sponsor levels and benefits.
Sponsorship BrochureExplore the Hall of Fame
Visit the official Irish American Hall of Fame website to explore past inductees, the gala, and the full history of this honor.
Visit iahof.org
Our Home
The Largest Irish American
Heritage Center in the Country
The Hall of Fame is hosted at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago — a destination for people of Irish descent and those who wish to learn more about Irish heritage. Located on the city's northwest side in a renovated, turn-of-the-20th-century building that sprawls over a full city block, the IAHC boasts a 658-seat theatre, library, museum, art gallery, authentic Irish pub, dance studios, and banquet rooms.
About the IAHC
