Talk Bronx New York

 

Little did Marie McCaul from Clonosey, Belturbet and John Keegan from Crossmaglen know when they headed off as Irish emigrants to New York separately in the 80s, that they would meet up, get married and have two daughters who would carry on the Irish tradition helping people in need.

Sinead and Siobhan Keegan both know Belturbet and Crossmaglen well as a result of their many trips to the old country.

Siobhan says her mother Marie gets her copy of the Anglo-Celt each week and her other friends from Cavan in the area also get the paper. “They will all be excited to see us featuring in the paper,” she told us last week.

Sinead Keegan has been the full time associate director at the Mercy Centre for the past two years, with responsibility for development and planning, while also managing to teach courses. Sinead is a graduate of Notre Dame University and she has a Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown University.

Siobhan is a lawyer in New York, is chair of the Board of Directors and a long time volunteer teacher at the Mercy Centre. Her husband, who is a native of New York, is also a lawyer – for the Department of Education.

Siobhan works on putting transactions together for private and public companies. She went Villanova University and then to Fordham Law School in New York. In addition, she studied for a year at Queen’s University, Belfast and Sinead also studied for a year at Trinity College, Dublin.

The Mercy Centre is a community centre for women and their families in the Mott Haven section in the South Bronx. Offering programmes and services that empower women to reach their full potential and become agents for change in their families and communities. The Mercy Centre is truly a place of hope in the middle of a challenging environment.

The Mercy Sisters set up the centre in 1990 and it was originally located in the grammar school of St. Pius V. In 2003 it moved into a purpose-built facility, just down the street from St. Pius V. In the past five years it has flourished and provided many benefits to the varied people of the Bronx, and there is still an important Irish component there.

Sinead and Siobhan are carrying on a great Irish tradition of helping others in need and the focus of the centre is on women and families. The range of skills and knowledge on offer is designed to improve their lives. Mostly Hispanic people, they learn English to help them to get better jobs and progress. “We help them to form networks and community. That existed for my parents coming over here in the Irish community,” said Sinead.

The two ladies love visiting Belturbet, because it is a world away from life in New York city. “The people are amazingly warm and friendly and welcoming – we almost feel we’re neighbours there, the way we’re treated. It’s as if we grew up there and stuff,” says Sinead.

That is also true in Crossmaglen, the home place of her father John Keegan. (John is a wood flooring contractor and runs the business with his wife Marie.)

They also revealed that the Seven Horse Shoes is one of their favourite pubs in all the world. “Its warm and inviting atmosphere reflects the friendliness of the people there,” she said.

“Often you go into the Horse Shoes and you will encounter people from all generations enjoying themselves – you just don’t see that here in bars, there’s a sense of community in Belturbet,” said Sinead.

Siobhan says Belturbet is a great place to relax and she loves visiting her uncle Francie’s farm at Clonosey. “My Blackberry phone works well there, which is amazing, because it doesn’t work here in Vermont.

“We’ve brought lots of friends over to Belturbet over the years and my husband loves it there,” said Siobhan.

Rewards

Sinead says “it is a great thing to watch these people learn and it is rewarding”. She manages the fundraising at the centre and revealed that little over half of the funding comes from private and family foundations.

They derive about nine per cent of their funding from the City of New York and about a third from individuals. Sinead says she enjoys her work and it is really challenging “is this current economy to raise money”.

Siobhan explained that she is always moved by the dedication of emigrants to New York. Many of them have to work hard and instead of taking a break on Saturday morning, they go to the Mercy Centre. Many of the women from the Hispanic community are single mothers, but they still have time to do and achieve so much. “I’m thrilled to be in a position to help them a little bit and improve their speaking skills.”

Siobhan pointed out that many Irish had struggles when they first arrived in America and had to find work and assimilate. She is impressed by the dedication of the people who take the classes at the Mercy Centre. “We have people who come to the centre who don’t read or write in their own language. The fact that they’re willing to come and improve their language is really moving as far as I’m concerned. We’re glad to help them to communicate better with their children and help children to get into better schools.”

If you visit the Mercy Center in the South Bronx today, you will find the place buzzing with vitality. All of this is possible because of the work of Catherine McAuley in Dublin more than 180 years ago, and the road, winding through Belturbet and Armagh, that leads to Siobhan and Sinead Keegan today with all the volunteers and contributors of every kind who carry on a worthy Irish tradition.

Sinead was at the inauguration of President Obama and described it as one of the most amazing experiences of her life.

If you are ever in New York, Sinead invites you to visit her at 377 East 145th Street, the Bronx. Visit mercycenterbronx.org to learn more and see how you can help. When in Dublin, drop by 64A Lower Baggot Street.

SOURCE

Tags: 145th St, bronx, Bronx News, Bronx People, Bronx Religion, Community, Department of Education, FORDHAM, John Keegan, law, Marie McCaul, Mercy Centre, Mott Haven, new york, New York City, Obama, schools, Seven Horse Shoes, Sinead, Siobhan Keegan, South Bronx, St. Pius V, The Bronx, Villanova University

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