The 2012 Feis will feature The McLean Avenue Band as the main entertainment of the day.

The McLean Avenue band is a new name on a collection of well-known Irish/Celtic performers in the New York area! McLean Avenue will specialize in events such as weddings, corporate events, parties, dinner functions and festivals around the world. We cover all aspects of music, including Celtic, Irish and Pop. Traditional Irish tunes, waltzes, and upbeat hits carefully blended with the dancing songs of today’s modern world music. There are no questions asked about the talent you will have at your event when you book McLean Avenue. Members have worked with high profile acts such as, Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, The Whole Shabang and many more!

Together, they combine tradition with masterpiece and they form a dynamic super-band sound! They have all played on stages along side with legends such as, The Wolfe Tones, The Sawdoctors, Black 47, The Prodigals, Eileen Ivers, Cherish The Ladies, The Clancy Brothers and Andy Cooney the list is endless!

The McLean Avenue Band expect to on at 4 p.m.

Born in Coole, Co. Westmeath in 1938 John Dunleavy grew up during the War years in what he described as “a beautiful little village with no luxuries.”

John’s father ran a taxi service and a small store in the village. John attended the Coole National School, which bordered the gable end of his house. As a young man, he left his native Ireland for London in 1956 and worked as a driver of double-decker buses. “It cost a lot of money to get to America in those days,” John recalled. “Many of the Irish worked in London and used England a stepping stone across the Atlantic.”

In 1963, Dunleavy came to the U.S. and just three months later was drafted into the army and was assigned to the 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. Upon his discharge two years later, he joined the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority, a subsidiary of the transit authority, as a bus operator. John Dunleavy retired from the transit system after 25 years of service in 1990 as a General Superintendent.

Dunleavy has been an active member of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration Committee since 1967. He has held many offices, including formation chairman, treasurer, and vice chairman before taking over as chairman in 1993. John believes the parade is a unifying event within the Irish community, despite the diversity of all the groups involved. Until a few years ago, John ran the whole operation for the Parade out of his home. He is credited with obtaining a small office in the Bronx and brought on board people to assistant in handling the huge logistic items that are now part of the Parade operations. John is responsible for the parade continued success and increase in size. Early on in the technology era, John recognized the value of the internet and authorized the webcasting of the Parade worldwide, an event that resulting in over two million hits on the Parade website this past March 17^th when the Parade celebrated its 251^st anniversary. Dunleavy is pleased to receive letters from people from all over the world who are astounded by how large the Parade is. He credits the all-volunteer St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for making the event comes together so well. “On parade day, it’s out of my hands. There are 160,000 marchers and over 2 million spectators on the avenue’.

John Dunleavy served the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) in many capacities, including president of both New York Division 9 and the New York County Board.

Long active in the cause of Irish freedom, he has received many honors over the years. Two of his most cherished memories came when in March of 2000, when he was appointed an honorary member of the 69th Regiment, “The Fighting Irish Brigade,” by the Secretary of the Army and in 2010 when he laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in honor of all the fallen Irish Americans who paid the unlimited sacrifice in the service of this country. John Dunleavy received a Doctorate in Humane Letters from Quinnipiac University in 2007.

The Parade Chairman runs a small gardening business and is proud of being a founding member of “The Links” at Unionvale, an 18-hole championship course in Dutchess County, New York. “We’re very proud that our sign reads Céad Míle Fáilte.”It’s a little bit of Ireland on 200 acres with no trees and a view of the Catskills.” John says.

John is married to Maureen Kellett, of Virginia, Co. Cavan. They have two daughters, Patricia and Catherine, and five grandchildren.

The 2011 Feis Honoree will be former Feis Chairman Edward F. Friel.

In 1964 Eddie Friel joined Division #5 in Queens County, NY.  His father Frank Friel and his uncle John Bownes were members of this division in Far Rockaway, NY.  His mother Margaret Friel was also a member of what was then called the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

As time went by Division #5 disbanded and years later Ed transferred and became an active member of Division #3 of Nassau County.  Eddie has held most elected offices in this division.  That includes Sentinel, Standing Committee, Recording Secretary, Vice President and President.  Numerous times he chaired the St. Patrick’s Celebration and golf outings.  He was chosen Hibernian of the Year in 1992.  In time Eddie became active with the Nassau County Board, again holding most of the elected positions with 2 terms as Vice-President and President.  Eddie chaired the Nassau County Ball and other events for the County.  He was the Chairman of the Nassau County AOH Feis for a total of 7 years and is still an active Feis worker. He was also elected New York State Director District #6.

Eddie was chosen as an Aid to the Grand Marshal in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1996 and is currently a delegate to the Parade Committee representing Division #3. He was also chosen Aid to the Grand Marshal of the Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2000.

Eddie is on the Board of Directors of the Irish Americans in Government.  This is a charitable organization that supports Irish causes. He is also a member of the Easter Monday Monument Committee that is responsible for the refurbishment of the monument and the Easter Monday Commemoration located in Mineola, NY. Eddie is also a member of the Irish American Society of Nassau County.

Eddie is a member of St. Mary’s Morris Stella Council of the Knights of Columbus and is a Fourth Degree Member of the Steven Moylan General Assembly.

Eddie and his wife Nina reside in Westbury and are active members of St. Brigid Parish.  They have 3 married children. Christine (Tim),  Frank Lauren) Eddie (Amy)  and a granddaughter Kyla.  His son Eddie is a member of the Tara Pipes & Drums of Division#15 in Massapequa.

About the band (taken from their website)

The Sporting Paddies play a wide variety of classic Irish rebel and drinking songs, ballads, originals, and lively trad tunes, all peppered with the occasional American song done in the singular Sporting Paddies’ way!

Among the band’s highlights are playing the NYPD Transit Bureau Emerald Society’s St. Patrick’s Day ball at Webster Hall in NYC, the FDNY Emerald Society’s annual fundraising boat cruise, and The FDNY Pipe Band’s Christmas and post St. Patrick’s Day Parade parties. Additionally, several of the band’s songs have been featured on Ceol na nGael on WFUV 90.7FM, Fordham University radio.