An Nuacht

The Newsletter of

The Order of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh - Essex Division

A 501c(3) Non Profit Organization

March 5, 2026

56th Annual FSOS Essex Dinner Dance – A Night to Remember

On Saturday, April 27, 2026, the Essex Chapter of the Order of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh will proudly host its 56th Annual Dinner Dance at the elegant The Hanover Manor from 6:00–11:00 PM. Long regarded as one of the premier social events on the Irish-American calendar, this beloved tradition promises another unforgettable evening.

Guests will enjoy a 90-minute premium cocktail hour, a sit-down dinner, a five-hour open bar, and outstanding live entertainment and and the stirring sounds of the Essex Shillelagh Pipes & Drums.

It is with great pride that we announce Tom Flemming and Chris Wightman Coughlin as our 2026 Shillelagh Men of the Year. Both are dedicated, longtime members whose service and commitment exemplify the very best of Irish and American values.

We are also honored to recognize the Ironbound Irish American Association of Newark as our 2026 Friends of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh. Founded to foster friendship, understanding, and Irish cultural pride, the Ironbound Irish have been steadfast supporters of the FSOS.

To commemorate the evening, a Dinner Dance Journal will be published. Messages, advertisements, and tickets may be secured by contacting a committee member, ordering using the buy option below or online at www.essexshillelagh.com/events/dance.

Please note that tickets are limited and the event sells out early, so early action is encouraged.

We look forward to celebrating at the Dance—sláinte!

Meet Your Honoree: Chris Wightman

For more than 15 years, Chris Wightman has been a devoted member of the Shillelagh Club, embodying the spirit that define our brotherhood. Whether sharing a laugh at the bar or stepping up to serve, Chris brings authenticity, dedication, and a steady commitment to strengthening the Club’s future. He is also a proud member of the Manahawkin Shillelagh Club, continuing his focus on fellowship and service.

A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology (BFA ’91), Chris built a distinguished career in the packaging industry as an award-winning developer and patent holder, known for creativity and sustainability. (If you’re curious about ketchup bottles, he’s your man.)

Within the Club, Chris has served as Dinner Dance Chairman, Keeper on the Executive Board, and a member of the Membership Committee and Francis Schott Blood Drive Committee. For more than a decade, he has co-chaired the annual Golf Outing—one of our signature events—supporting the Scholarship Fund and helping make a lasting impact on deserving students. Many also know Chris as the longtime Sergeant at Arms of the West Orange St. Patrick's Day Parade, where he has introduced honorees and marched proudly with fellow Shillelaghs from West Orange to Belfast.

Beyond the Club, Chris co-founded “Testies for Breasties,” raising more than $100,000 for breast cancer research, and remains active in charitable work as a member of the Elks. A lifelong sailor, two-time BBYRA champion, and past Commodore of the Island Heights Yacht Club, he finds his greatest joy on the water.

At the heart of it all is his family. Chris and his wife Carrie—our beloved “sash lady”—have been married more than 30 years. They are proud parents of Emma and Ellie and delighted grandparents to Margaret, whom Chris proudly calls “the best baby on earth.”

Through his service, leadership, humor, and unwavering generosity, Chris Wightman represents the very best of the Shillelagh spirit as Man of the Year.

On April 25, the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh will raise a glass to Chris Wightman, a true Shillelagh man.

We hope you’ll join us at the Annual Dinner Dance to celebrate Chris and all the honorees.

Please join the Frank O’Hara Association and the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh for one of the most anticipated evenings of the St. Patrick’s Day season—our Annual Cocktail Party and Reception honoring the 2026 West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade Honorees .

The celebration will take place on Friday, March 6th from 7:00–10:00 PM at the Shillelagh Club, 648 Prospect Avenue, West Orange. This special evening gives members, family, and friends the opportunity to gather in true Shillelagh fashion to recognize and celebrate this year’s distinguished honorees:

• Grand Marshal: Tom Brennan
• Deputy Grand Marshals: Eileen Cassels Aker, Daniel Cunningham, Bill McEvoy, and Steve Shaffer
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All are welcome to attend and show their support. Guests will enjoy an open bar, delicious food, and live music from Grafton Street.

Admission is $30 per person at the door, making this a great way to kick off parade season. Whether you are a longtime member, a parade supporter, or simply looking for a great Irish night out, this event promises to be special.

Mark your calendars and come raise a glass as we honor those who proudly lead our 2026 West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We look forward to seeing you there!

On Sunday, March 15, the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Essex Division, will proudly take to the streets of West Orange to march in the 73rd Annual West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade—one of the great traditions on our Irish-American calendar.

This year’s parade holds special meaning for our Division as we honor our brother Steve Shaffer, who will be celebrated as Deputy Grand Marshal. Steve’s dedication, service, and commitment to the Shillelagh brotherhood exemplify the spirit of the day, and we look forward to marching in strong support behind him.

All FSOS members are encouraged to participate and represent the Division with pride.

Reminder from Chris Coughlin:

"In accordance with the Membership obligations, it is a requirement that all Shillelaghs attend the march or request to be excused. Also, I would like to extend a polite reminder that the parade day bus leaving the Shillelagh Club for the parade start drop-off is reserved for the Shillelagh Pipe Band and Shillelagh Members in Good Standing only. Members are encouraged to ensure separate transport arrangements for friends and family members, as the Keepers will be managing bus access that day."

Please note that all marchers must be members in good standing and wear the full Shillelagh uniform in order to march with the Division.

As always, the celebration does not end when the parade concludes. Festivities will continue back at the Shillelagh Club following the march, where members, families, and friends can gather to share in the camaraderie, music, and fellowship that make St. Patrick’s Day so special.

Extra hands will be needed at 9am at the club to prepare for the crowd. A signup form will be circulated in early March.

The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh – Essex Division

To Host an Introduction to Irish Language & Music

Special guest Professor Brian O'Broin of William Paterson University will provide basic instructions for complete beginners at the Shillelagh Club on Sunday afternoon, March 29th, in a group setting.

What better way to honor our culture than by learning the language of our ancestors! “Hello, How are you, May I buy you a drink? See you soon.” We feel it would be important to learn these basic phrases and to use them whenever we're together!

Dr. O'Broin's outline of the program:

1) a short language class for complete beginners (45 minutes)

2) a short introduction to five popular Irish language bar songs (45 minutes)

3) a traditional music session (in which those songs might get sung)

As a bonus, some of our members are bringing together musicians to embark on a Traditional Irish Music Session in the bar at the Shillelagh Club later that same afternoon – a good opportunity to use some of those Irish words, phrases, and songs!

There is no telling if we'll be able to repeat this event, so mark your calendars for this unique opportunity! We'll need a head count so Please send an email with the names of interested participants to: [email protected]

Program Schedule:

March 29^th,

• 3:00 pm - Irish Language Class for complete beginners
• 3:45 pm - Introduction to popular Irish bar songs
• 4:00 pm - Traditional Irish Music Session with opportunities to sing those songs

Special Guest:

Brian Ó Broin, Ph.D.

Dept. of English

William Paterson University, New Jersey, USA

Linguistics - Medieval Studies - Irish Studies

Teangeolaíocht-Léann na Meánaoise-Léann na hÉireann

Níos Mó / More Information

Shi-Ladies and Men's Registrations Now Open

The Essex Shillelaghs GAA is pleased to announce that registration for both the Men’s and Shi-Ladies Gaelic Football programs is now open for the 2026 season.

Building on the momentum of recent seasons, both programs will offer a balanced mix of recreational and competitive Gaelic football, welcoming new players and returning athletes alike.

What to Expect in 2026

Men

• Spring Pub League play in West Orange, emphasizing skill development, fitness, and camaraderie
• Weekly combined training sessions beginning in March
• 7-on-7 recreational match play in the spring
• Potential summer and fall play, based on participation and interest

Annual Fee:

• West Orange Residents: $50
• Non-Residents: $60

Women (Shi-Ladies)

• Indoor Winter Training now through the end of February
• Outdoor training session beginning in March
• Recreational play in West Orange, emphasizing skill development, fitness, and camaraderie. Some 7-on-7 recreational match play in the spring
• Junior B competition in Spring & Fall with the LGFA in Queens, NY

Annual Fee:

• West Orange Residents: $80
• Non-Residents: $90

Both programs are proudly offered in association with the West Orange Department of Recreation, continuing a strong partnership that supports the growth of Gaelic games in our community.

Whether you’re new to Gaelic football, returning after time away, or looking to compete at a higher level, the Essex Shillelaghs Men’s and Shi-Ladies programs offer a welcoming pathway to get involved, stay active, and be part of a great club culture.

Additional details, including training schedules and registration links, will be shared as January 15 approaches. We look forward to seeing both familiar and new faces on the pitch this spring.

March 6, 2026, 6pm - O'Hara Association St. Patrick's Day Party, Shillelagh Club

March 7, 2026, 12pm - Nutley St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 13, 2026, 12pm - 91st Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 14, 2026, 12pm - Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade, Morristown, NJ

March 14, 2026, 12pm - Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade, Union Township, NJ

March 15, 2026, 12pm - West Orange St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 17, 2026, FSOSP 122nd Annual Dinner, Hanover Manor, East Hanover, NJ

March 28, 2026, 6:30pm - Ironbound Irish 34th Annual Dinner Dance, Hanover Manor

May 3, 2026, 2-7pm - Essex County Emeralds Pipe Band Dinner, Hanover Manor, $125 pp

June 7, 2026, 12-6pm - 2026 NJ Irish Festival, Monmouth Park

Editor's Note: Ancient Ireland & History Roundtable is presented by the History Committee of the FSOS and hopes to bring to life the richness of Irish history with curated and authored articles by members. Submissions for publication are encouraged, subject to Editorial staff approval.

Daniel O'Connor: The Liberator

By Seamus Brosnan

Daniel O’Connell was born in 1775. He was known as “The Liberator,” and was an Irish political leader who championed Catholic emancipation and Irish rights in the 19th century. His legacy holds deep significance for Irish Americans, as he laid the foundation for later struggles for civil rights and national self-determination.

Born in County Kerry, O’Connell was educated in France and became a successful lawyer. At a time when Irish Catholics faced severe discrimination under British rule, he emerged as the leading advocate for Catholic emancipation—the right of Catholics to sit in the British Parliament and hold public office. Through his mass political mobilization, peaceful protests, and the creation of the Catholic Association, he pressured the British government into passing the Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which ended many restrictions on Catholics.

O’Connell later turned his efforts toward repealing the Act of Union (1801), which had merged Ireland with Britain, stripping Ireland of its own parliament. Through the Repeal Association, he organized massive gatherings known as “monster meetings,” rallying millions in a peaceful call for Irish self-government. However, British authorities suppressed the movement, and O’Connell was briefly imprisoned in 1844.

His influence extended beyond Ireland. He was a staunch abolitionist, condemning slavery in the United States and urging Irish immigrants in America to oppose it. While some Irish Americans supported slavery in the 19th century due to social and economic pressures, O’Connell’s moral stance inspired figures like Frederick Douglass, who called him “the champion of liberty.”

O’Connell died in 1847, during the Great Famine, which sent millions of Irish refugees to America. His legacy shaped Irish American identity, inspiring later movements for labor rights, political activism, and civil rights. Today, he is remembered in Ireland and the Irish diaspora for his commitment to nonviolent resistance, democracy, and human rights—principles that influenced later leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.

Supplemental –

‘I care not what caste, creed or colour slavery may assume,’ O'Connell told voters at a “monster meeting” of thousands at an election rally in Kerry in 1831. ‘Whither it be personal or political, mental or corporeal, intellectual or spiritual. I am for its total and instant abolition.’ “Where ever there is opposition I hate the oppressor.”



O'Connell's speeches were prominently featured in an anthology titled: The Columbian Orator. This foundational early American book, designed to instruct students on public speaking, was a collection of speeches, essays, poems, and dialogues curated and published by Caleb Bingham in Boston in 1797. Originally written with speeches by George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, it was widely read and revised 23 times over the next 60 years embracing “republican virtues,” promoting patriotism, and questioning the ethics of slavery. The Columbian Orator provided rules on speaking and used example speeches and dialogs for students to copy and imitate, inspiring many Americans including Frederick Douglass, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Abraham Lincoln. Daniel O'Connell's speeches are on file in the U.S. Library of Congress.

Mahatma Gandhi was also inspired by Daniel O'Connell as his legacy can be defined by his use of mass mobilization (monster meetings), moral authority, and strict adherence to nonviolence to achieve reforms.

O'Connell, "The Liberator," is buried in a crypt beneath a prominent 55-meter round tower in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland. He founded the cemetery in 1832, and his monument, which is the tallest round tower in Ireland, was built between 1855 and 1869 to honor him.

Jane B. McGuire of Westbrook CT, mother of Jim McGuire passed away on February 19th.

A native of County Leitrim, Jane had spent time in London before settling in CT.

Ar dheis De a raibh a hanam dilis

Denis Naughton, Sr. of Pallaskenry County Limerick Ireland, father of Denis Naughton Jr. passed away on February 23rd.

Ar dheis De a raibh a anam

Thank you,

Ollie

February 15, WO SPDP Investiture, Hanover Manor

Photos: Janet Burke

February 21, Essex AOH Div. 9 Annual Dinner Dance, Hanover Manor

Photos: Janet Burke

Shillelaghs About and About: monthly posting of members & friends at our club, at our events or proudly wearing Shillelagh Swag anywhere in the world. Bring your Swag where ever you go and send pics to [email protected] .

Dressed for Success as an Essex Shillelagh

The Executive Board has approved the Shillelagh uniform for 2025. 

All of what is listed below is considered part of the Official uniform for all members.  

Shillelagh Blazer 

• Call Ambassador Uniform at (800) 711-5885 x104. Ask to speak with sales and tell them you are calling to order:
• Shillelagh Blazer, Style #2013 in Hunter Green 
• Price is $76.90 (as of this email) 
• Turnaround time is 2-3 weeks

Shillelagh Patch

• The Shillelagh patch will be provided by the Club for members who have secured their Shillelagh blazer. Please speak with Kevin Kinney [email protected].

Shillelagh Tie

• The Shillelagh tie is available for purchase at the Club. Please speak with Kevin Kinney [email protected].

Slacks

• We have selected one style of charcoal gray slacks that members must wear. These slacks are available for purchase on Amazon, through this link Shillelagh Slacks
• Haggar Men's Premium Comfort Classic Fit Pleat Front Pant 
• Color: Charcoal **color is the most important aspect, as it is the most visible to those viewing the Club as we march together. If your size is not available in this particular pant, please purchase a similar model in Haggar charcoal**
• Price is variable by size (as of this email)

Shillelagh Cap

• The Shillelagh cap is available for purchase from Sashay Studios, through this link Shillelagh Cap
• Price is $15.00 (as of this email)   

Shillelagh Sweater

• The Shillelagh sweater is available for purchase from Sashay Studios, through this Shillelagh Sweater
• Price is $38.00 (as of this email) 

Shirt

• White button down dress shirt

Shoes 

• Black dress shoes



Looking forward to seeing everyone looking good come parade season!

An Nuacht is published monthly by the Corresponding Secretary, Jim McGuire with Funding Support from:

For information, submissions or advertising, please contact Jim McGuire at [email protected]