Augusta’s Irish-American Heritage Society named its 2024 Family, Grand Marshal and Irish Lady of the Year at a Saturday banquet.
The Gene and Ann Marie McManus family was named 2024 Irish Family of the Year.
Ann Marie and their five children attended Aquinas High School and her parents were charter members of the society in 1978.
Her mother was a native of Killybegs, County Donegal. Her husband was raised in Aiken and instilled with his family’s deep Irish Catholic faith, according to a release from the society.
Grand Marshal Russ Gambill is a lifelong member of St. Mary’s on the Hill Catholic Church.
Like many Augustans of Irish descent, he traces his ancestors to County Cork, and was thrilled to visit the small village from which his ancestors emigrated, the release said.
Along with his father, he is both a past president and grand marshal for the society.
The 2024 Irish Lady of the Year is Patricia Armstrong Nichols, an Augusta native who traveled the world before returning to the area. She is devoted to serving others, particularly the elderly, the release said.
Her ancestors include her great grandfather, who played a prominent role in freeing Ireland from British rule. Her family is a past recipient of Family of the Year.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
