NYCD EMERALD SOCIETY INC.

NYCD EMERALD SOCIETY

“KEEPING THE TRADITION ALIVE”

It was during the 1950s that the movement for Emerald Societies took hold with the formation of the NYPD Emerald Society (March 16, 1953), NYCD Emerald Society (November 17, 1955), and FDNY Emerald Society (March 17, 1956). The Emerald movement led to the formation of Emerald Societies in New York City and nationwide.

The NYCD Emerald Society was organized on November 17, 1955, by our 1st President, James Mulvey, and is the second-oldest Emerald Society.

Established to unite members of the Correction Department of Irish heritage, the NYCD Emerald Society is dedicated to preserving Irish culture, recognizing the accomplishments of Irish Americans in law enforcement, and promoting educational advancement through family scholarships.”

Our membership comprises active/retired uniformed members of service (UMOS) and civilian members of the Correction Department, City of NewYork who have Irish Lineage or have an “Irish Spirit.”

Emerald Society Leadership

2026- 2028 Board of Directors

Keith Blatz — President +
Kathleen McMahon — 1st Vice President +
Ann Beck — Treasurer +
Michele Lawrence — Financial Secretary +
Lawrence McArdle — Vice President, Citywide
Christopher Chamberlain — Vice President, Headquarters
Michael McCabe — Vice President, Rikers Island
Kevin E. Quinn — Vice President, Retirees
Bridget Luby Esposito — Recording Secretary
Connor Olsen — Sergeant-at-Arms
Brian J. Sharkey — Historian
Father Christopher Heanue — Chaplain
Sister Margaret McCabe — Chaplain Emeritus

+Executive Board Members

Board of Trustees

Thomas B. Farrell — Chairman
Kathleen Mulvey
Michael Hourihane
Richard Palmer
Robert Ellis

The NYCD Emerald Society has produced leaders who have served at the highest levels of the Emerald Society movement.

National Grand Council of Irish Emerald Societies (NGCIES)

James W. Mulvey* — President
Adam F. McQuillan* — President
John P. Clark* — President

Grand Council of United Emerald Societies (GCUES)

John P. Clark* — First President (1975)
Brian J. Sharkey — President (1996–1998)

New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The NYCD Emerald Society has proudly represented the Correction Department in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade since 1955. Prior to the formation of the Emerald Society the Friendly Sons and Catholic Guild were the affiliated organizations to the Parade.

Among its distinguished honors, four past presidents have been selected as Aide to the Grand Marshal:

John P. Clark (1973) NGCIES
Brian J. Sharkey (1998) GCUES
Bernard Cassidy Jr. (2019) Kings County AOH
Thomas B. Farrell (2019) GCUES

The Society has been represented by delegates to the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for generations. Each affiliated organization has a total of two delegates and two alternate delegates. The current delegates are President Keith Blatz and 1st VP Kathleen McMahon. The alternate affiliated delegates are Retired VP Kevin E. Quinn and Historian Brian J. Sharkey. Brian is one of the longest-serving affiliated delegates, representing the NYCD Emerald Society since 1989, and he currently also serves as the affiliated delegate for the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies.

Past Presidents

James W. Mulvey*
James Slattery*
Adam F. McQuillan*
Vincent Toner*
Thomas Fitzsimmons*
John P. Clark*
William J. Kennedy*
Thomas J. Hayes Jr.
Bernard Cassidy Jr.
Brian J. Sharkey
Brian P. Riordan
Kevin E. Quinn
Edmund Duffy
Thomas B. Farrell
Thomas Betts
Michael Barzal
Ryan Gunning
Roy G. Miller
Timothy N. Cowen

*Deceased

Legacy

For nearly seventy-one years, the NYCD Emerald Society has embodied the ideals of friendship, heritage, service, and leadership. Through its commitment to the Correction Department, and the Irish-American community, the Society continues to honor its founders while inspiring future generations.