Club News

Remembering the Fenians: Thomas Darragh & Robert Cranston, 10/28/17

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Please see below about an upcoming fundraiser this Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Galway Bay Pub in Pawtucket, R.I. They hope to raise enough to erect gravestones in Philadelphia for two Fenians, Thomnas Darragh and Robert Cranston who escaped from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia on the Catalpa, which is commemorated on the stone and plaque dedicated by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in New Bedford. ...read more

Club News

2016 Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament

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The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will be hosting their 12th annual Golf Tournament on Saturday June 11, 2016 at Allendale Country Club. All proceeds from this tournament are used to fund the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick Scholarship Program. Annually, the organization distributes $20,000 in scholarships to area high school and college students. ...read more

Club News

Friendly Son of Saint Patrick Returns

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The Derry-born president of the Irish-American organization The Friendly Sons of St Patrick returned to the city this week to meet the Mayor of Derry, Colum Eastwood. Chris Donnelly was born and raised in Lisfannon Park in the Bogside and moved to the United States more than 20 years ago. Before moving to America, Mr Donnelly owned the Derby Bar on Great James’ Street. He is now a teacher in New Bedford, near Boston, where he lives. Mr Donnelly is a regular visitor to Derry with the Friendly Sons of St Patrick and attempts to promote stronger links between here and his adoptive city. ...read more

Club News

Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Scholarship Committee awarded $14,000 to 12 outstanding students from Greater New Bedford on June 19, 2010

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The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Scholarship Committee awarded $14,000 to 12 outstanding students from Greater New Bedford on June 19, 2010. The awards were made at the club’s Annual Golf Tournament held at Allendale Country Club. The scholarships, open to students of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, are awarded on the basis of financial need and scholastic standing, with the first named awarded on academic merit by competitive essay. Funding for the scholarships is derived solely from the Friendly Sons two major fund raising events; the New Bedford Half Marathon each March and the Annual Golf Tournament in June.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:
...read more

Club News

Ireland’s Minister of State, Pat Carey speaks at Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick Annual Dinner Dance

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I am delighted to have this opportunity to pay my first visit to New Bedford and I want to thank the President of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, Chris Donnelly, and the officers of the Society for inviting me to join you this evening on the occasion of your Annual Dinner Dance. I would also like to acknowledge the other honoured guests here this evening including the Mayor of New Bedford, Scott Lang, and I would like to congratulate the honorees who are to be recognised here tonight. ...read more

Club News

Operation Turkey 2009 a success!

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The turkeys were generously donated by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick – Operation Turkey 2009, spearheaded by New Bedford’s Veteran’s Agent Donat “Dan” Le Blanc in collaboration with the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 499, The Veterans Transition House and students of the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School provided over 350 Thanksgiving meals to area veterans and their families. ...read more

Club News

New Bedford Half Marathon can expect some guest appearances from national and local celebrities

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Runners and their supporters of this year’s New Bedford Half Marathon can expect some guest appearances from some national and local celebrities beginning with pre-registration at the YMCA on Saturday afternoon, the day before the March 15th race. Rick and Dick Hoyt of Team Hoyt and Biggest Loser celebrities Marc and Jay Kruger will be running the 13.1 mile race. They will also meet and greet runners and their families at pre-registration at the YMCA on Saturday afternoon. And, two-time Boston Marathon winner and current New Bedford Half Marathon record holder Geoff Smith will also be playing a role in the 32nd running of the Half Marathon. ...read more

Club News

Friendly Sons to run New Bedford Half Marathon

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NEW BEDFORD — The future of the New Bedford Half Marathon, one of the city’s signature events, is now in the hands of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. “We know we can do it,” Friendly Sons president Chris Donnelly said. “We have the people and we have the contacts. Now we will sit down with them to work out a strategy for next year. This race has been run so well for so long we felt it would be a shame just to let it go.” ...read more