This award is in memory of Mary Henry Brady given by our President each year to a member who has given outstanding service to the Mayo Association of Philadelphia

John  &  Eileen  Durkan

John & Eileen were born in Swinford, Co Mayo, John in the village Of Ballydrum and Eileen in Ballinvoher.

They emigrated to Philadelphia in 1958, John living with his aunt, Nancy Henry in Philadelphia and worked in the A&P Company.  Eileen lived with her aunt Nellie (Gallagher) Cahill working for the Firestone Co.  They returned to Swinford in 1959 to be married in a double wedding with Eileen's sister Mary, before returning to settle in Philadelphia.

They raised four children, Maureen, Patricia, John, and Cathy.  Besides working at the A&P, John ran a family landscaping business and was a multi-family housing landlord, but his favorite job was playing Irish music on his drums through the Delaware Valley.  Eileen took care of the children and was a pioneer in the work-from-home industry as the family business" accountant.

They instilled in their family a love of Ireland, Irish music, dance and community service.  The family spent their leisure time with the Irish community taking step-dancing and music lessons, selling chances for the Holy Rosary Sisters going to dances at the Irish Center or the VFW Hall at 69th St. and many other ventures.

John is the past president of the Mayo Association of Philadelphia.  During his tenure he hosted the Mayo World Convention in Philadelphia and along with Eileen worked with the convention committee to plan all the events associated with the convention.  They also worked with the committee to bring the first flight from Philadelphia into Knock Airport.

John is also past president of the Irish of Havertown.

They are the proud Grandparents of Bob, Kerry, Mary Beth, Kate, Aidan, Drew, and Lauren.