2026 Grand Marshal
The Grand Marshal is that person held in the highest esteem by his fellow man. The Grand Marshal is a person of great integrity, one whom all admire and trust. One looked upon as the greatest example of an Irish gentleman. It is without doubt the highest honor this society can bestow upon an individual.
Mr. Worth Andrews
The Irish American Heritage Society is proud to name Mr. Worth Andrews as the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal.
A lifelong Augustan, Worth’s roots in the Society run deep. His family were charter members when the IAHS was founded in 1978, and he has been actively involved ever since. For Worth, there has never been a season of life without the Society woven into it.
Worth attended Georgia Southern University and married his wife in 1975. In 2025, they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Together they have raised two children and are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren. Faith, family, and service have consistently shaped his life and leadership.
Over the decades, Worth has been a steady presence in the work of the Society, particularly through his involvement with Arts in the Heart. He recalls the early days of the festival when volunteers gathered to dream about what it could become. “If we made a thousand dollars, we’d be ecstatic,” he remembers. From those humble beginnings, Arts in the Heart has grown into one of the region’s most successful and respected cultural festivals, a testament to the dedication of volunteers like Worth.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has also been central to his involvement. With only one parade missed over the years, Worth has consistently supported and celebrated this cornerstone event of the Society. He now looks forward to leading the parade as Grand Marshal and selecting the aides who will stand beside him.
In reflecting on his selection, Worth shared his gratitude and humility at being included among friends and past leaders he has long admired. His decades of quiet service, steady leadership, and unwavering commitment to Irish heritage make him a fitting choice to serve as Grand Marshal.
The Society is honored to recognize Mr. Worth Andrews for a lifetime of dedication and to celebrate his leadership during the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day season.
-
Mr. Mike Rucker
Mr. Danny Sheehan
Mr. Russ Gambill
Mr. Billy Grove
2026 Irish Lady of the Year
The Marian A. Scherer Irish Lady of the Year award is given to a true Irish lady in appreciation of her continued support of community programs, her unselfish assistance to those in need and her tireless efforts to improve the welfare of her Irish brethren.
Mrs. Karen Mulherin Brooks
The Irish American Heritage Society is honored to recognize Mrs. Karen Mulherin Brooks as the 2026 Irish Lady of the Year.
Born and raised in Augusta, Karen’s connection to the Society is both lifelong and deeply personal. She attended Augusta College, where she was a cheerleader and fondly remembers her father working basketball games in the old gym. After spending time in Savannah and nearby Edgefield, she and her husband returned home to Augusta, where they have continued to build their life centered on faith, family, and community. Last year, they celebrated 46 years of marriage and are the proud parents of three children.
Karen’s involvement in the Society has been hands-on and heartfelt. She became especially active through the Irish Dancers, where her two daughters participated, helping support and sustain one of the Society’s most visible cultural traditions. Like so many devoted members, she has contributed in the ways that matter most - volunteering at events, supporting fundraisers, and yes, baking her fair share of Irish Whiskey Cakes over the years.
One of eight siblings, Karen represents the third member of her immediate family to be honored by the Society. Her father was one of the earliest Grand Marshals, and her mother was named Irish Lady of the Year just over a decade ago. The legacy of service and leadership within her family reflects a multigenerational commitment to preserving Irish heritage in Augusta.
Karen also cherishes her longstanding involvement with Arts in the Heart and serves on the board of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, continuing her dedication to faith, culture, and service.
Humbled by the recognition, Karen has shared that the true joy of the honor lies in celebrating alongside family and lifelong friends. Her warmth, humility, and steady commitment to the Society make her a fitting recipient of the 2026 Irish Lady of the Year distinction.
The Society proudly celebrates Mrs. Karen Mulherin Brooks and her enduring contributions to our Irish-American community.
2026 Irish Family of the Year
The Irish Family of the Year award is given to the Irish family that best exemplifies love of God, devotion to family and the richness of their Irish heritage. The Irish Family of the year is honored by their fellow Irish Americans for these virtues.
The James and Ashlyn Hutto Family
The Irish American Heritage Society is proud to recognize The James and Ashlyn Hutto Family as the 2026 Irish Family of the Year.
For the Hutto family, involvement in the Society has never been occasional - it has been a way of life. Their roots in the IAHS span multiple generations, with three members of their immediate family having served as either President of the Society or as Grand Marshal. Service, leadership, and faith have long defined their family story.
Born and raised in Augusta, the matriarch of the family has been involved in nearly every facet of Society life over the years. From early planning meetings to event preparation, from phone calls to fundraising, her steady presence has helped sustain the work of the organization. She often reflects that there was never a season when the family was not actively participating in something connected to the Society.
Her late husband, though not originally from Augusta, quickly embraced both the community and the Irish Catholic traditions that shaped their family life. He became one of the Society’s most dedicated workers and eventually served as President. Together, they modeled a spirit of generosity, humility, and commitment that continues to guide their children and grandchildren.
In a meaningful full-circle moment, the matriarch’s parents were also previously honored as Irish Family of the Year, further underscoring the family’s multigenerational dedication to preserving Irish heritage in Augusta.
Today, their adult children (Walter & Camilla) carry that legacy forward. Both remain active members of the Society, and Walter has served as President in recent years. Through volunteer service, leadership, and faithful participation in Society events, they continue to honor the traditions passed down to them.
The Hutto family’s story reflects what the Irish American Heritage Society stands for - faith, family, heritage, and service. The Society is honored to recognize The James and Ashlyn Hutto Family for their enduring commitment and example.
Previous Dignitaries
-
The Grand Marshal is that person held in the highest esteem by his fellow man. The Grand Marshal is a person of great integrity whom all admire and trust. One looked upon as the greatest example of an Irish gentleman. It is undoubtedly the highest honor this society can bestow upon an individual.
2026 - 49th GM - Worth Andrews
2025 - 48th GM - Raymond Brady
2024 - 47th GM - Russ Gambill
2023 - 46th GM - Brian Timothy Leonard, Sr.
2022 - 45th GM - J. Douglas Herman, Sr.
2021 - 44th GM - Doug Wilson
2020 - 43rd GM - Doug Wilson
2019 - 42nd GM - Tim Regan
2018 - 41st GM - Ed Holmes
2017 - 40th GM - Mike Rucker
2016 - 39th GM - Philip M. Kelly
2015 - 38th GM - Bob Cashin
2014 - 37th GM - Walter Eubanks
2013 - 36th GM - Billy Herman
2012 - 35th GM - Pat Rice
2011 - 34th GM - Jerry Armstrong
2010 - 33rd GM - Bill Berry
2009 - 32nd GM - Jim Thrash
2008 - 31st GM - Mike Leonard
2007 - 30th GM - Frank Doyle
2006 - 29th GM - Bill Real
2005 - 28th GM - Daniel B. Walter
2004 - 27th GM - John Scherer
2003 - 26th GM - Philip S. Ward
2002 - 25th GM - Br Richard Michel
2001 - 24th GM - C.W. “Buck” Tinley
2000 - 23rd GM - John W. “Jack” Burke, Jr.
1999 - 22nd GM - Paul Ferris Dorr, Jr.
1998 - 21st GM - Bernard J. Mulherin
1997 - 20th GM - John S. Markwalter
1996 - 19th GM - J. Noel Schweers
1995 - 18th GM - Brian J. Mulherin
1994 - 17th GM - David C. Tribby
1993 - 16th GM - John H. Douglas
1992 - 15th GM - John P. Regan
1991 - 14th GM - Leland J. Malchow
1990 - 13th GM - John J. Walsh
1989 - 12th GM - Joseph E. Kelly
1988 - 11th GM - R. Floyd Gambill, Jr.
1987 - 10th GM - Edward J. Doris
1986 - 9th GM - Patrick R. Mulherin
1985 - 8th GM - W. Philip Kelly
1984 - 7th GM - Dr. T.E. “Ed” Bailey
1983 - 6th GM - L.J. “Pat” Ward
1982 - 5th GM - E.J. “Eddie” McMahon
1981 - 4th GM - D.M. “Denny” Leonard
1980 - 3rd GM - T.J. “Mike” Kearns
1979 - 2nd GM - Charles C. Chesser
1978 - 1st GM - James J. “Jamie” O’Connell -
The Irish Lady of the Year award is given to a true Irish lady in appreciation of her continued support of community programs, her unselfish assistance to those in need, and her tireless efforts to improve the welfare of her Irish brethren.
2026 - 40th LotY - Karen Brooks
2025 - 39th LotY - Philomena Mooney
2024 - 38th LotY - Patricia Armstrong Nichols
2023 - 37th LotY - Theresa Mokray Gasser
2022 - 36th LotY - Elizabeth Real Cibak
2021 - 35th LotY - Kimberly Dolyniuk White
2020 - 34th LotY - Kimberly Dolyniuk White
2019 - 33rd LotY - Estelle Mulherin Duncan
2018 - 32nd LotY - Maureen Grady Lewis
2017 - 31st LotY - Carol Eicher
2016 - 30th LotY - Annie Emmett
2015 - 29th LotY - Elizabeth Mulherin
2014 - 28th LotY - Patricia Scoggins
2013 - 27th LotY - Ann Ribock
2012 - 26th LotY - Louise Sheehan
2011 - 25th LotY - Shelia Wilson
2010 - 24th LotY - Louise Wright
2009 - 23rd LotY - Cathy Covert
2008 - 22nd LotY - Marguerite L. Welch
2007 - 21st LotY - Jane Eubanks
2006 - 20th LotY - Pat Real
2005 - 19th LotY - Mary Ward
2004 - 18th LotY - Margaret Regan
2003 - 17th LotY - Carroll Kelly
2002 - 16th LotY - Norah Byrne Schweers
2001 - 15th LotY - Jeanne Cooney
2000 - 14th LotY - Mary Williams
1999 - 13th LotY - May Lyons
1998 - 12th LotY - Arline Kelly
1997 - 11th LotY - Marge Douglas
1996 - 10th LotY - Norma Ellen Malchow
1995 - 9th LotY - Louise Thompson
1994 - 8th LotY - Elizabeth Sheehan
1993 - 7th LotY - Agnes H. Vaughan
1992 - 6th LotY - Anne V. Casey
1991 - 5th LotY - Eileen Rhodes
1990 - 4th LotY - Anne K. McCarthy
1989 - 3rd LotY - Helen S. Evans
1988 - 2nd LotY - Helen H. O’Connell
1987 - 1st LotY - Ann M. Leonard -
The Irish Family of the Year award is given to the Irish family that best exemplifies love of God, devotion to family, and the richness of their Irish heritage. The Irish Family of the Year is held in high esteem.
2026 - 38th FotY - James & Ashlyn Hutto Family
2025 - 37th FotY - Thomas Poteet Family
2024 - 36th FotY - Gene & Ann Marie McManus Family
2023 - 35th FotY - Julian Vaughan “Sonny” Casey Family
2022 - 34th FotY - Sean & Kristi Burke Family
2021 - 33rd FotY - Phillip & Kellie Laird Family
2020 - 32nd FotY - Phillip & Kellie Laird Family
2019 - 31st FotY - Jack & Marian Scherer Family
2018 - 30th FotY - Raymond & Caroline Brady Family
2017 - 29th FotY - Richard & Mary Bowles Family
2016 - 28th FotY - Dennis & Ann Leonard Family
2015 - 27th FotY - Mike Mosner Family
2014 - 26th FotY - Leland Malchow Family
2013 - 25th FotY - Bill Bambrick Family
2012 - 24th FotY - Bernard Mulherin Family
2011 - 23rd FotY - Jack Markwalter Family
2010 - 22nd FotY - Joseph E. Kelly Family
2009 - 21st FotY - Arline Kelly Family
2008 - 20th FotY - John Douglas Family
2007 - 19th FotY - Dr. David Tribby Family
2006 - 18th FotY - William Herman Family
2005 - 17th FotY - Ferris Dorr Family
2004 - 16th FotY - Milton Burroughs Family
2003 - 15th FotY - Don Grady Family
2002 - 14th FotY - Mrs. Joseph A. Armstrong Family
2001 - 13th FotY - Philip Kelly Family
2000 - 12th FotY - Patrick Douglas Family
1999 - 11th FotY - Warren Lamar Family
1998 - 10th FotY - Dr. William Real Family
1997 - 9th FotY - Fritz M. McCarthy Family
1996 - 8th FotY - G. Worth Andrews, Jr. Family
1995 - 7th FotY - John W. Burke, Jr. Family
1994 - 6th FotY - Edward D. Welch Family
1993 - 5th FotY - Jane Markwalter Eubanks Family
1992 - 4th FotY - Katherine Kelly Farr Family
1991 - 3rd FotY - Jerry Mooney Family
1990 - 2nd FotY - R. Floyd Gambill, Jr. Family
1989 - 1st FotY - John P. Regan Family
