John F. Kennedy National Award
The John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Award is presented annually to an American of Irish descent who has distinguished themselves in their chosen field.
2025 Award Recipient:
Bridget Moynahan
The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke is thrilled to announce that renowned actress, author, and model, Bridget Moynahan, is the 2025 recipient of the prestigious John F. Kennedy National Award.
Moynahan, best known for her iconic role as Erin Reagan in the long-running hit television series Blue Bloods, has captivated audiences with her talent, grace, and commitment to storytelling. Recently, Moynahan reprised her iconic role as Natasha, Carrie Bradshaw’s rival and Mr. Big’s wife in HBO’s Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That…. She also starred in and produced the award-winning short film Swipe NYC opposite Richard Schiff and Lisa Edelstein.
Moynahan first captured the attention of audiences in Disney's Coyote Ugly for producer Jerry Bruckheimer. She went on to star in numerous blockbuster films including the futuristic summer hit I, Robot with Will Smith, The Recruit with Al Pacino and Colin Farrell, and The Sum of All Fears, teaming with Ben Affleck in the political thriller based on the bestselling novel written by Tom Clancy – the JFK Award recipient for the 1992 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade.
In addition to her successful acting career, Moynahan is an accomplished author and advocate, embodying the spirit of resilience and pride rooted in Irish heritage. She serves as a spokesperson for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, an organization dedicated to providing joy, community, and healing to children with serious illnesses and their families. She also serves as an ambassador for Global Citizens, an international education and advocacy organization working to catalyze the movement to end extreme poverty and promote social justice and equity through the lens of intersectionality.
A native of Longmeadow, Moynahan’s accomplishments in entertainment and her commitment to uplifting others serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Irish-American community.
“Bridget Moynahan represents the very best of the Irish American spirit—dedicated, talented, and passionate about giving back,” said John Beaulieu, 2025 Parade President. “Her career, her values, and her pride in her Irish roots make her an inspiring choice for this year’s John F. Kennedy National Award. The Committee looks forward to honoring Bridget and welcoming her to our cherished celebration of Irish culture and community.”
“Growing up in an Irish family has shaped my values of resilience, family, and community—qualities I see celebrated so beautifully in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade,” said Bridget Moynahan. “To be honored with the JFK Award is deeply humbling, as it represents not only a connection to my heritage but also a legacy of pride. I am grateful to the committee for this incredible recognition and proud to stand with those who celebrate Irish culture and history so vibrantly.”
The John F. Kennedy National Award: Celebrating Irish-American Excellence
Annually, the St. Patrick's Committee of Holyoke pays tribute to Irish-Americans who have significantly contributed to their fields with the esteemed John F. Kennedy National Award. Initiated in 1958 as the Outstanding American of Irish Descent, the accolade was aptly renamed in 1964 after its inaugural honoree, Senator John F. Kennedy, on the cusp of his presidency. Celebrations for awardees are woven into the fabric of the Parade Weekend, including highlights such as an acknowledgment at the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race, a dedicated honorific dinner, and a featured position in the grand Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade procession.
The award has historically recognized a diverse and prestigious group, a veritable "Who’s Who" of Irish-American luminaries from sectors including politics, sports, law, industry, philanthropy, media, the arts, finance, among others. Esteemed recipients have included the legendary actress Maureen O’Hara (1982); trailblazing NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman (2004); the esteemed former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge (2006); the respected Ambassador to Ireland, Honorable Dan Rooney (2010); Pulitzer Prize laureates Neil Sheehan (1989), David McCullough (2011), and Doris Kearns Goodwin (2013); the inspirational father-son duo “Team Hoyt,” Rick and Dick Hoyt (2014); the acclaimed Professional Boxer “Irish” Micky Ward (2016); and the Emmy-award-winning talent, Ann Dowd (2017).
Past JFK Award Recipients
1958 John F. Kennedy – United States Senator, President of the United States
1959 Most Rev. Jeremiah J. Minnehan, D.D. – Auxiliary Bishop of Boston
1960 Hon. John F. Collins – Mayor, City of Boston
1961 Most Rev. Christopher J. Weldon, D.D. – Bishop of the Springfield (MA) Diocese
1962 Robert B. Consedine – Journalist/Author
1963 William D. Gargan – Actor
1964 James B. Donovan – Attorney, International Negotiator
1965 James J. Shea, Sr. – President, Milton Bradley Company
1966 Hon. Edward M. Kennedy – United States Senator
1967 Tommy Loughran – Champion Light Heavyweight Boxer
1968 Lawrence O’Brien – U.S. Postmaster General Commissioner NBA
1969 Cardinal Richard Cushing – Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston
1970 Hon. John N. Dempsey – Governor of Connecticut
1971 Pat O’Brien – Actor
1972 Major General Timothy J. Dacey, Jr. – USAF, Chief of Staff, Strategic Air Command
1973 Hon. John W. McCormack – Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
1974 James Bishop – Author, Syndicated Columnist
1975 Hon. Thomas Paul Salmon – Governor of Vermont
1976 Edward Bennett Williams – Attorney
1977 Jimmy Breslin – Author, Investigative Journalist
1978 Hon. Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. – Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
1979 Dan Devine – Football Coach, Notre Dame University
1980 Arthur J. Rooney – Owner, Pittsburgh, Steelers Professional Football
1981 William A. Nolen, M.D., – Surgeon/Author
1982 Maureen O’Hara – Actress
1983 Most Rev. Joseph F. Maguire – Bishop of the Springfield (MA) Diocese
1984 Hon. Edward P. Boland – Member of Congress of the United States
1985 Frank McGuire – NCAA Basketball Coach
1986 William A. O’Neill – Governor of Connecticut
1987 Dennis Day – Singer, radio and television personality
1988 Thomas J. Flatley – Business Executive Philanthropist
1989 Neil Sheehan – Journalist, Reporter, Pulitzer Prize Author
1990 Most Rev. Leo E. O’Neill – Coadjutor Bishop of Manchester, NH
1991 Carmel Quinn – Singer/Entertainer
1992 Tom Clancy – Author
1993 Sister Mary Rose McGeady, D.C. – President, Covenant House, New York City
1994 Raymond L. Flynn – U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican
1995 Eoin McKiernan – Founder, Irish American Cultural Institute
1996 Robert L. Stack – Actor
1997 John J. Sweeney – President, AFL-CIO
1998 Gen. Richard I. Neal – Assistant Commandant, United States Marine Corp
1999 Steven McDonald and Patricia Ann Norris-McDonald – Detective, New York Police Department, Inspirational and motivational speaker
2000 Hon. Richard E. Neal – Member of Congress of the United States
2001 John V. Shea – Actor, riter, director
2002 Rev. Daniel P. Coughlin – Chaplain, U.S. House of Representatives
2003 William J. Flynn – Chairman of the Board, Mutual of New York Life Insurance Company
2004 Catherine G. “Cady” Coleman – NASA Astronaut
2005 Tom O’Brien – Football Coach, Boston College
2006 Thomas J. Ridge – Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
2007 Dan Shaughnessy – Author/Sports Reporter, Boston Globe
2008 Francis X. Healy – Baseball player, Sports Broadcaster Executive
2009 Joseph Loughrey – Vice Chairman, Cummins, Inc.
2010 Hon. Daniel M. Rooney – U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland
2011 David McCullough – Author, Pulitzer Prize Winner
2012 Kevin O’Hara – Author
2013 Doris Kearns Goodwin – Author
2014 Dick and Rick Hoyt – Team Hoyt, Marathon, Triathlon and Ironman competitors
2015 John M. Maguire – President and Chief Executive Officer of Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC
2016 “Irish” Micky Ward – Retired Junior Welterweight Professional Boxer
2017 Ann Dowd – Award winning actress
2018 Arthur “Archie” Roberts – Retired cardiac surgeon and former collegiate and professional football player
2019 T.J. Jagodowski – Comedian, actor, and improvisational performer
2020 - 2022 David Glidden - CEO of Liberty Bank
2023 - Lenny Jacobson - Actor