On May 10, under the vaulted ceilings of the Irish American Heritage Center at 4626 N. Knox Ave., the past came rushing forward — not just in memory, but in recognition.
The 2025 class of the Irish American Hall of Fame was honored that evening, celebrating Irish Americans whose lives and work helped shape the country. Among them were three men with deep ties to Chicago and the southwest suburbs, each representing a different facet of the Irish American experience: military service, labor leadership, and spiritual ministry.
The Hall of Fame, founded in 2010, was created to preserve and promote the story of the Irish in America — a story that stretches from Ellis Island to every corner of U.S. life.
The annual induction gala, held at the Irish American Heritage Center on the city’s Northwest Side, recognized outstanding contributions in fields like public service, science, religion, education, business, and the arts.
“The Irish American Hall of Fame was created to preserve the story of the Irish in America,” said Caroline Hennessy, chair of the Hall’s governance committee. “We do so by paying tribute to exemplary Americans of Irish heritage who have truly shaped the Irish American identity in the United States.”
Inductees were selected through a national nomination process and reviewed by a screening committee. Those with the highest scores in each category were chosen to receive the Hall’s highest honor — a tribute video, a six-foot commemorative banner, and a Galway crystal vase etched with their name and achievements.
For Garfield Ridge native James Sweeney, who was recognized as the 2025 “Hometown Hero,” the honor carried special meaning. As the head of Operating Engineers Local 150 and a national union leader, Sweeney spent decades advocating for workers and giving back through events like the Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the “Sweeney Classic” golf outing.
“I was deeply honored to be inducted into the 2025 Class of the Irish American Hall of Fame,” Sweeney said. “This recognition wasn’t just a personal achievement, but a testament to the hard work and dedication shared by all those who supported me throughout my career.”
Another inductee, Col. James Hickey — a graduate of St. Laurence High School in Burbank — was recognized for his leadership in one of the most consequential military operations of the Iraq War. In 2003, Hickey led Operation Red Dawn, which resulted in the capture of Saddam Hussein near Tikrit.
“I was humbled to be recognized by the Irish American Heritage Center’s Hall of Fame,” Hickey said. “I was honored to accept this recognition on behalf of the brave American soldiers of a combat team I was honored to serve with and lead.”
Fr. Joseph Mulcrone, who served the Archdiocese of Chicago for more than 60 years, nearly 50 of those as Chaplain to the Deaf, was inducted in the religion category. He co-founded the Deaf Catholic Youth Initiative of the Americas and continued to hold Mass at St. Julie Billiart Parish in Tinley Park.
“For those who are truly Irish, the Heritage Center reminded you that no matter where you live, your authentic home will always be Ireland,” Mulcrone said. “My parents, my uncles and aunts, my cousins — Chambers, McLaughlin, Sheridan — all were part of the early days of funding, volunteering, building the Heritage Center. For them it was a labor of love.”
Hennessy, chair of the Hall’s governance committee, said the recognition was about making sure the legacy they carry isn’t forgotten.
“These stories reminded us that the Irish American journey didn’t end at Ellis Island,” she said. “It continued — in leadership, in service, in faith. And it deserved to be remembered.”
More information about the Irish American Hall of Fame and this year’s inductees is available at www.iahof.org.