February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Customs agent Daniel Mulcahy founded the Shamrocks (so named because over 90 percent of members are Irish-American) 18 months ago with the intent of providing a forum for federal law enforcers such as customs officials and FBI agents to get together outside of working hours.
Since then, membership has increased greatly, with several chapters now established in Vermont.
The Shamrock MC’s meet twice a month and take part in competitions such as the Lake George Ride, which takes place in the New York resort community each June. Once a year, they hold a meeting with law enforcement biking clubs from all over the U.S.
“We try to do regular charity events,” according to Mulcahy.
The Shamrocks are co-organizers of the United Shields Rally, which takes place in Albany this February 3 and 4. All proceeds of the event will go to the family of Lieutenant John Finn, who was shot in the line of duty in Albany in 2004.
Shamrock requirements state that members must be male, over the age of 18, members of a federal law enforcement agency and fully licensed to drive a motorcycle. Only Harley-Davidsons and other American motorcycles are acceptable vehicles for members to ride. Occasionally, however, they do bend the rules.
“We had one guy who wanted to join so bad he went out and bought a Harley Davidson and before he even had a license,” Mulcahy recalled.
The Irish American majority is purely coincidental, according to Mulcahy, who lived in Dublin for five years.
“I loved it,” he said. “My daughter Megan was born there. My father emigrated here from Clonmel. We lived in Donnybrook, so we didn’t have it too hard.”
For more information about the Shamrock MC’s, log on to www.shamrocksmcvt.com