Irish America Magazine Invokes Honors

The Reverend Kevin Shanley, O.Carm.

The Reverend Kevin Shanley, O.Carm., was recently selected as one of the “Top 100 Irish Americans” for his work among the Irish in the United States. The award selection was announced by Editor Patricia Harty of “Irish America” Magazine, published in New York.

“Father Kevin’s dedication, talent and achievements are truly appreciated,” said Niall O’Dowd, publisher of “Irish America” Magazine. He will be thanked publicly in our April issue and honored at our Gala Awards Dinner to be held in New York on March 16,” O’Dowd said.

Men and women of Irish descent are chosen in various fields of endeavor such as political life, history, teaching, commerce, religion, labor, entertainment, writing, law enforcement, civil service and related activities.

Father Kevin, the son of the late Michael and Mary (O’Neill) Shanley, immigrants from Ireland in 1926, learned about Ireland from his earliest years. His father participated in the Easter Rebellion of 1916 and sentenced to Wakefield Prison in England. After his release, he returned to Ireland and joined the Old IRA and fought throughout the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-21.

Father Kevin was ordained a priest at the Carmelite Junior Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts, on May 26, 1956, and offered his First Mass at Saint Aloysius Church in Jersey City, New Jersey, his family’s home parish. He received his B.A. degree from Mt. Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario, an affiliate of Saint Bonaventure University in Olean, New York. He also holds M.A. degrees in Journalism from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois, and Theology from Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC He also holds a doctorate degree in Ministry from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois.

After graduating from the International Sumner School of Irish Studies at University College Dublin, he taught Irish history and literature courses at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois for 17 years. In addition, he served as communications director for the Irish American Cultural Institute, formerly of St. Paul, Minnesota for 25 years, and helped to found the Irish American Society of Will County, Illinois. He also taught at Joliet Catholic High School in Joliet, Illinois for 30 years. He also founded the Celtic News Service in 1962 and has been its director ever since.