Augusta’s Irish-American Heritage Society honored several of its own at this year’s Grand Marshal’s Ball.
The second-youngest of 10 children, Brian Leonard grew up in Augusta and graduated from Aquinas High School and Augusta College. He, his wife and children have been active in the society since the 1980s. Leonard was named 2023 grand marshal.
“I was just stunned that I was even nominated, because I had nominated someone else,” Leonard said, in a news release.
The Julian Vaughan Sonney Casey family is the society’s family of the year. Charter members of the society in 1978, they have been active for three generations. Descendants have played football for Notre Dame and the University of Georgia and served in the U.S. Army and Navy.
With ancestry that traces to Sligo and County Cork, Ireland, this year’s family said members take pride in upholding the beliefs and values that were inherited from their ancestors.
The society’s Irish Lady of the Year is Theresa Gasser, who traces her roots to County Donegal and County Cork, Ireland. Gasser’s family moved to Augusta from Savannah in 1983. She is credited with spreading a recipe for Irish Whiskey cakes around the southeast.
Attending the Feb. 4 ball was the Consul General of Ireland, Caoimhe Ní Chonchúir. Making the first visit of the consulate’s 13-year history, she spoke about building relationships to promote Irish values and history in the southeastern U.S.
The honorees will be recognized in the coming weeks leading up to the Augusta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.
