Mayo man receives Presidential Distinguished Service Award for his work in the US

Mayo TD Dara Calleary has expressed his congratulations to Attymass native Adrian Flannelly who has been acknowledged for his work with the Irish Diaspora in the United States with a 2021 Presidential Distinguished Service Award.

The Ballina-based representative stated: “I am delighted for Adrian that his ongoing tireless work as a leading member of the Irish-American community in New York has been acknowledged with his distinguished award.

"Adrian has been heavily involved in Irish community affairs since his emigration to the USA in 1959, primarily as a friend of Irish immigrants who followed over after him.

"He has also played a very prominent role in immigration reform lobbying in the US and has acted as a point of liaison with the Irish community for a number of New York City Mayors.

"He was instrumental in the Morrison Visa programme, helping thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants already in America to organise and obtain a legal pathway to remain and thrive and played a crucial role in the development and realisation of the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery City Park.

"This is a distinguished award for a distinguished person of the utmost integrity and is truly deserved,” said Deputy Calleary.