Hibernians name Harringtons Irish Man and Woman of the Year

Franklin - Dennis and Mary Harrington were honored last Friday by the Ancient Order of Hibernians as Sussex County’s Irish Man and Woman of the Year. The Harringtons have lived in Franklin for 28 years and were recognized for the work they did to resurrect the Sussex County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The original parade had been organized in the 1980s by John and Suzanne Sullivan, the former owners of Sullivan’s Tavern, which was recently torn down and replaced with a Commerce Bank on Route 23 in Franklin. The parade was held annually through 1992, according to George Denny, the president of the county branch of the Hibernians, but then ceased to exist. In 2004, the Harringtons brought it back to life. “It’s a great honor to receive this award, but it really means so much more to us because it is named for the people who really started it all,” said Mary Harrington. “We really just followed in their footsteps,” she added. This sentiment was echoed by her husband, who said: “While this is a great honor, I don’t feel that I’m deserving of it because so many people have done so much, and we are just continuing the tradition.” The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a Catholic, Irish-American Fraternal organization founded in New York City in 1836 to assist Irish immigrants, especially those who faced discrimination or harsh working conditions. Today, according to the organization’s Web site, www.AOH.com, it is the oldest Catholic lay organization in America and is dedicated to “Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity.” Friday night’s party offered a traditional Irish supper of fish and chips; entertainment was provided by Kindred Spirit, which played traditional Irish ballads, and by Robbie Henry of Vernon, who played the bagpipes.