New York GAA to honor first Irish woman

By Pierce O’Reilly

The New York GAA is to honor Tipperary stalwart Therese Crowe at their annual banquet, which will take place Feb. 10 at the Astoria Manor. Crowe, who was born in Kerry, is the first Irish-born woman ever to be honored by the association.

The Kingdom may be close to her heart, but Crowe adamantly states that she was bred a Tipperary woman, having lived just two years in Killarney, where here late father, James, was working on the railways with CIE.

Crowe’s father born in Gooldcross, while her mother, Bridget (nee Phalen), was born in Upperchurch in the Premier county.

Crowe attended Presentation School in Thurles and the Mercy school in Callan, Co. Kilkenny. She pursued a nursing career at St. Patrick’s Home for Children in Blackrock, Dublin and Margate Nursing School in Kent, England.

Upon her arrival in the United States in 1962, she worked at St. Francis Hospital in the Bronx while studying at New York Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell Medical School and Hospital for Joint Diseases.

Crowe joined the Tipperary N&B Association 20 years ago and the Tipperary Hurling Club around the same time. She is currently the first vice president of the Tipperary Club. She is also a trustee of the New York GAA. She can be seen every Sunday at Gaelic Park, assisting the doctor on a voluntary basis.

Crowe is also a member of the Irish American Association, the American Irish Immigration committee and the Irish American Nurses Association.

"I’m honored and delighted to be chosen," Crowe said. "The GAA is my life, I always being involved and as a supporter and a member I hope the games continues to prosper and flourish this side of the Atlantic."

The 2001 GAA banquet will open with a cocktail hour at 8 p.m., followed at 9 by dinner. Tommy Smyth is the master of ceremonies. Tickets are $75 and table of 10 are available.