Irish Women in the News: Aine Greeney, Martina Curtin, Mary Sugrue
Áine Greaney, Writer
Noted fiction writer Áine Greaney has a new collection of short shorts titled, Trespassers, due for publication in March 2025. The eleven stories chronicle the lives of Irish immigrants navigating their lives in New England or Ireland, with a rich cast of characters who shoulder their burdens with grace and humor, even as their flaws and foibles get revealed. Greaney’s voice is authentic and her ear for dialogue and cadence is unerring.
A native of Co. Mayo, Áine emigrated to the US in the 1980s and today lives in Newburyport, a fishing town north of Boston. She has published two novels, Dance Lessons and Big House, and several non-fiction books, including Green Card and Other Essays and the instructional book, Writer with a Day Job. Her essays and short stories have appeared in The Irish Times, The New York Times, Globe Magazine and Books Ireland magazine.
A trained teacher, Áine has designed and led creative writing and wellness writing workshops for 20+ years and is a popular speaker at conferences and literary festivals.
Martina Curtin, Cultural Advocate
Boston Irish cultural leader and businesswoman Martina Curtin received the 2024 Community Champion Award from the Irish Echo Newspaper. She received the award along with eight other recipients in New York City.
Born in Co. Clare, Curtin is currently Board President of the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston, the first woman to hold the position. Founded in 1989, the Centre is the largest Irish organization in New England. She also co-founded Mná Mheiriceá, a women’s networking group founded in 2023 by women for women.
On the business front, Martina founded CHC Home Care, a boutique home care agency enabling clients to receive nursing care in the comfort of their own homes.
Irish Echo Editor Ray O’Hanlon said, “this year’s honorees come from every walk of life and every kind of job. People advance worthy concerns and causes and by doing so are living up to the best traditions of the American Irish. All have in common the desire and the drive to help their families, friend, neighbors and communities.”
irishculture.org | mnamheiricea.com
Mary Sugrue, Community Champion
Irish American Partnership CEO Mary Sugrue received the Charitable Irish Society’s coveted Silver Key award for her outstanding work as an advocate for education and community development initiatives on the island of Ireland.
She received the award on October 23 at the UMass Boston Club, along with Maryann Cassavant, Immigration Coordinator at the Irish Pastoral Centre. Bestowed annually since 1997, the Silver Key award recognizes local leaders who help Irish immigrants settle and assimilate in the United States, a proud mission of the Charitable Irish Society since 1737.
A native of Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry, Mary began her career as a schoolteacher before joining the Partnership in 1989, working her way up to CEO in 2016.
Under her leadership, the Partnership has brought together political, business and community leaders in Boston, New York, Chicago and Washington DC for a series of engaging forums that strengthen the partnership between Irish Americans and Ireland. Since it began in 1986, the Partnership has raised $53 million benefiting more than 650 schools, universities, and economic development initiatives.
Enjoy articles like this?
Join our mailing list and have the latest sent to your inbox.
