Essex Shillelagh Club to honor Kay Slattery of Caldwell – Patch.com

The Essex Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh are planning their 52nd Annual Dinner Dance for Saturday, May 9th 2020 at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. The event will begin at 6:00 with a cocktail hour, and dinner and dancing to follow at 7:30 p.m. Among this years honorees is long time Caldwell resident Kay Slattery, who has been named as the 2020 Friend of the Shillelaghs.

Kay is a native of North Carolina, but has made New Jersey her home since marrying the love of her life, Michael upon completing their studies at the University of North Carolina where they first met.

Kay has enjoyed a varied and accomplished career path while raising her three children; Michael Jr., John and Julie. Kay has re-invented herself many times during her professional career. She is truly a woman that has worn several hats throughout her professional life as a Hospital Nurse; Nursing Instructor/Tutor; VP of the Slattery Marketing Corp; Paralegal; Office Manager and School Nurse.

Kay was Appointed by the Supreme Court, State of New Jersey, as a lay member of the District V-C Attorney Ethics Committee (1996 – 2000) and the Arbitration Committee (2000-2004). She has also served her local community of Caldwell in many capacities. Kay was elected to the Caldwell/West Caldwell Board of Education for four terms: 1982–1994, serving as President (1986-1988; 1993,1994). She also served on the Caldwell Town Council 2007-2010.

Kay has always been an enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer to so many incredible causes, too numerous to mention. These include but are by no means limited to: VP, Board of Trustees, The Bridge, Caldwell, NJ, (1994-2014); Board of Directors, Grover Cleveland Birthplace Committee, Caldwell, NJ (1990-2010); Head Coach, 7th and 8th Grade Suburban Girls’ Traveling Basketball Team, (1982-1998) and Co-sponsor with husband, Mike – The Harriet Tubman Track Team, Harriet Tubman Elementary School, Newark, New Jersey, (1985-2000).

In addition to being an active member and benefactor to the Irish American Cultural Institute, Mrs. Slattery is currently also a proud member of the Northern NJ Women of Irish Heritage. Despite the more than full calendar of activities Kay has to navigate, she still finds time to travel and spend time with Mike at their little Paradise of Seabrook Island, SC and visiting and doting on their 6 Grandchildren.

Also honored this year are Shillelagh Men of the Year, Thomas Malkinski of Parsippany and Mark Moran of West Orange. The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh are widely recognized as one of the premier Irish organizations in the state. They have a large clubhouse in West Orange with a bar open to the public, which is known for its hospitality, welcoming atmosphere and its diversity of entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Shillelagh club is host to many Irish groups in the area including the Ancient Order of Hibernians; the Women of Irish Heritage and The Essex County Police and Fire Emerald Society. Additionally, the Friendly Sons support various charitable organizations including St. Baldrick’s Foundation to find a cure for childhood cancer, Luck ‘O The Pup Pet Adoption, Local Food/Coat/Toy Drives, Annual Blood Drive and many others. They also sponsor scholarships to several very deserving young adults to assist with their High School and College educations.

Tickets to the event are available for $100 and include cocktail hour, 5 hour open bar, dinner, dancing to The Eamonn Ryan Express, and performances by The Shillelagh Pipe Band and the DeNogla School of Irish Dance, Verona. There will also be commemorative Ad Journal highlighting sponsors of the event. It is not too late to support the organization or the honorees with an ad or by purchasing tickets and joining them for an evening of exceptional Irish entertainment.

When: Saturday, May 9, 2020 from 6:00-11:00 (Featuring the Eamonn Ryan Express)

Where: Mayfair Farms, West Orange NJ 07052

For tickets or to place an ad in the journal please email

shillelaghevents@gmail.com or call Chris Coughlin (201) 532-6503

or visit our website at shillelaghclub.com/dance/