Adrian Flannelly, the long-time radio host and Irish American community leader, is now a doctor thanks to Quinnipiac University’s School of Communications, which conferred Flannelly with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at commencement on Sunday, May 22.
Lynn Bushnell, Vice President for Public Affairs at Quinnipiac, read the citation for Flannelly. She praised the influential broadcaster for championing the rights of the Irish in America as well as for his, “extraordinary journalism, selfless advocacy and love of – and loyalty to – two countries.”
“Your guest list has included Ireland’s prime ministers, Irish American politicians, New York’s mayors and governors, as well as aspiring journalists, artists, writers, musicians and academics,” Bushnell said. “It is no wonder that you are repeatedly cited as one of the Top 100 Irish Americans.”
Co. Mayo native Flannelly, a towering fixture in New York’s Irish community for 46 years thanks to his radio show and now Irish Radio Network, is the leading broadcasting voice of Ireland in America.
“Flannelly reaches as many as two million listeners with his mix of news, music, culture and heritage, helping them to reconnect with their homeland from whatever place they call home,” a press release from Quinnipiac said.
“Since the show became part of the Irish American landscape, the profile of its community has grown stronger and more successful.
“Applying his leverage with mayors, governors and presidents, Flannelly has lobbied on behalf of his community; he helped to legalize thousands of undocumented Irish and advanced the discussions that brought peace to Northern Ireland. Key players came on air to discuss the peace process and rally Irish America for the cause.
“After helping to create the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed him Irish cultural liaison to City Hall. An exemplary Irish American, Flannelly credits his wife and longtime business partner, Aine Sheridan, as his inspiration along with his four children and three grandchildren.”
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