Mike Houlihan, Chairman of Hibernian Media NFP, announced today a new “Alliance with Irish American Labor” from at least three unions who have joined the Board of Directors of this not-for-profit (501c3) public charity.
James Sweeney, Business Manager and President of the International Union Local 150 Operating Engineers, and James F. Coyne, Business Manager of The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 UA, and Kevin McLaughlin, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council have all been welcomed as Hibernian Media board members. These Irish American Labor Leaders represent almost 100,000 collective members working in their trades.
Jim Sweeney
Houlihan said, “At the turn of the Industrial Revolution, it was Irish immigrants, dreamers, laborers, who laid the bricks, dug the tunnels, built the railroads, and fought for fair wages and dignity. With calloused hands and unbreakable spirits they helped forge America. Hibernian Media will tell their stories while preserving and promoting Irish and Irish American culture, “telling stories to enlighten future generations while honoring our ancestors.”
Founded in 2013, Hibernian Media has established their public charity working for the Irish Diaspora with two weekly Irish radio programs on Global Irish Radio, (GIR.ie), and podcast at Hibernianradio.org; their Annual Irish American Movie Hooley film festival at The Wilmette Theatre each September,(now in its 11th year as the “only Irish American film festival in the world”); their annual pilgrimage to Ireland each October; and a variety of TV shows, concerts, books and films celebrating the Irish American Diaspora.
“We are a cultural engine and we look forward to partnering with unions, labor councils, and Irish American Business, as we continue to evangelize the spirit, grit and integrity of our Diaspora.”
James Coyne
Houlihan has hosted Hibernian Radio since 2019 with a focus on Irish First Responders: cops, firefighters, paramedics, and nurses. He was honored by the Emerald Society of Irish American Police as their “Man of the Year” in 2020, and 2021. He is a former Chicago Sun-Times and Irish American News columnist and currently writes the “Chicago Calling” column in the Irish Echo, the oldest Irish American newspaper in the USA.
“We embrace the history and courage of the Irish American Labor Movement and hope to recruit more labor leaders as we celebrate our ongoing commitment to Irish First Responders and soon begin telling the inspiring story of the Irish American Labor movement as well. We are thrilled and so very proud to be working with these guys! God bless them!’
In addition to leading their respective labor unions, these leaders have a special relationship with the Irish American community. Sweeney founded Chicago’s “Working Families Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade”. Coyne oversees Chicago’s legendary St. Patrick’s Day Parade and dying of the Chicago River green. The Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been proudly sponsored by the Chicago Plumbers Local Union 130 UA since 1955. 
KEVIN McLaughlin
Kevin McLaughlin was the youngest of nine children who grew up Southside Irish after his maternal grandparents immigrated from Ireland. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners was founded in Chicago on August 12, 1881.
Each of these Irish American Labor Leaders has unique stories to tell, enlightening the Irish American experience.
Hibernian Media is a public charity dedicated to Irish and Irish American culture and all donations are tax-deductible. More info at hibernianmedia.org
Hibernian Media, PO Box 5650, River Forest, IL 60305
Standby tor Hibernian Media’s heroic narrative on the birth of the Irish American Labor movement.
It all started in Chicago.
At Least 3 Irish American Labor Leaders Join Hibernian Media
