Johanna Kilroy McMenamin is from Bellaghy Co. Sligo, youngest of eight children born to Nora & Luke. They lived just down the street from the railroad tracks which was the Mayo & Sligo Co. line. Johanna attended Lowpark National School and the Marist Convent for girls along with her best friend for over 60 years Attracta O'Malley past President of our Mayo Association..
Johanna came to Philadelphia in 1962 to join her family, and was working with Attracta at General Accident Insurance Company and having fun attending dances at Connelly's 69th Street, and at the Irish Center where she met Sean in August of 1966.
Sean was the oldest of six children, born to J.P. ( a farmer) and Maggie (a nurse). Sean a Mayo man, was raised in Killadangan just three miles from Westport, Co Mayo.
Sean was educated by the Christian Brothers and then attended Westport Technical School. After graduation he went to England to serve his apprenticeship. He then decided in 1966 to immigrate to America, not sure weather if it would be Pittsburgh or New York. After visiting his cousin Austin McGreal in Philadelphia he decided to make Philadelphia his home in America.
Since 1966 Sean served in the U.S. Army as a M.P. Stockade Guard Commander at Ft. Monmouth N. J., President of this Mayo Association in1972, treasurer of the Gaelic Athletic Association, president of the Irish Center, and co- founder along with Billy Brennan found space at the Irish Center to build a library containing many books and publications of Irish history. Many students from various universities have used this library for research.
Johanna like Sean has been working quietly behind the scenes supporting her more visible husband. She also worked with the Ceili Group, many fund raisers, and along with Attracta, to get an airport at Knock, Co. Mayo.
The McMenamins live in Cheltenham and have raised four children;
Margaret and Jimmy Kilkenny (Kaylee, Kiera, and Maura); Noreen and Steve Diehl (Johanna, and Patrick); Eileen and John DiTore; and son Sean.
All the members of the Mayo Association congratulate Sean & Johanna being honored as inductees to the Delaware Valley Hall of Fame.