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Robert Irwin would like to thank the Officers, Trustees and Membership of the Nutley Irish American Association for the great honor of being selected as the 45th Grand Marshal of the Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Robert was born in Belleville and raised in Lyndhurst. Robert is extremely proud of his Irish heritage with his family immigrating from Belfast Ireland to the United States in the 1890’s. The Irwin family initially settled in Jersey City, Kearny and finally Lyndhurst where Robert was raised. Robert attended Bergen County Vocational and Technical school studying Autobody and graduated in 1991 when he went on to study Aviation at The Teterboro School of Aeronautics, attaining his FAA Airframe and Powerplant License. This is also where Robert began his career in Public Service as a volunteer with The Lyndhurst Police Emergency Squad as an Emergency Medical Technician.

Robert moved to Nutley in 1997 where he and his wife Cheryl bought their home. After working as a Diesel Mechanic and Mechanic for Continental Airlines, Robert’s passion for Emergency Services while a member of the Lyndhurst Police Emergency Squad led him to pursue a career in Law enforcement. Robert was hired by The Nutley Police Department in 1998 and Attended Essex County Police Academy, Graduating with Class 99-1. Robert Served many functions in the police department over the course of 25 years starting with Patrol, then moving on to the Detective Bureau as a Detective Sergeant, Administrative Lieutenant and ultimately Detective Captain. Robert was instrumental in starting The Nutley Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit as well being the Armorer responsible for the maintenance and repair of all department weapons, Firearms Instructor, Police Academy Instructor and Active Shooter Instructor. His responsibilities also include Vehicle Fleet Manager, Information and Technology, Radios and Communications, Internal Affairs, Investigative Bureau and the Training Bureau. After a long and fulfilling career Robert will be retiring from The Nutley Police Department as of February 1^st 2024. Robert is a current member of the Nutley Elks and was a Volunteer Rescue Tech for the Nutley Rescue Squad.

Robert and his wife Cheryl are also small business owners, owning and operating Sign Explosion LLC of Nutley. In addition, Robert, together with his two sons, enjoy buying and restoring antique automobiles. Robert continues to reside in Nutley with Cheryl, his wife of 26 years and is the proud father of his daughter Danielle (2010 NIAA Parade Queen), his two sons Andrew and Alexander, and daughter Madison, his little angel in heaven.

The 2024 Deputy Grand Marshal is Maureen Callaghan

Maureen Callaghan expresses her sincere thanks to the Officers and the Board of Trustees for the honor of being chosen as the 2024 Deputy Grand Marshal of the Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Maureen has been married to her husband Jim Callaghan for 43 years. Jim was the Nutley Irish 2005 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal. Together they have two daughters, Meghan Martin and Bridgette Callaghan. Her family moved to Nutley 34 years ago, where her husband had opened his business a few years before. She and her husband are also busy helping to raise their grandchildren Elke and Klaus Martin who attend schools in Nutley.

Maureen retired after an almost 30 year career as a Nutley Board of Education Special Education paraprofessional. She spent most of those years at Lincoln School in Nutley, spending her days working with special needs children. She returns to Lincoln School as much as possible as a substitute. Maureen is active with the Lincoln School PTO and volunteers with organizations that provide the “extra” needed for children she works with. Her current project is supplying the First Responders in town with a backpack filled with items to help support children in the case of emergencies.

Maureen’s Irish roots are traced back to her paternal grandfather, Thomas Patrick McHugh, who emigrated from Country Galway and settled in Old Forge, Pennsylvania with his wife Bessie Laggan, who emigrated from England. Eventually, her father’s family would move to East Orange, New Jersey. Her parents Francis and Doris McHugh would have three daughters and buy their first home in Newark, New Jersey. The family moved to Kearny when she was 8 years old. She attended Franklin School with her sister Carol, while her sister Mickey remained at Girls Vocational High School in Newark. Maureen graduated Kearny High School in 1975. At that time, Kearny was filled with Irish and Scottish families who were first and second generation immigrants. Kearny will always hold a special place in her heart.

St. Patrick’s Day for Maureen is a house filled with family, friends, corned beef, Guinness, and Irish music, a tradition she looks forward to each March. She is looking forward to March 2, 2024 as she walks down Franklin Avenue with family and friends.

Our 2024 Firefighter of the Year is Gabriel Miller

Gabriel Miller is honored to be selected as the 2024 Nutley Irish American Association Firefighter of the Year representing his community as well as the Nutley Fire Department.

He is a 2013 graduate of Nutley High School and a 2018 graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Political Science and Labor Studies. He is currently attending the Naval-Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

Gabriel was hired by the Nutley Fire Department in 2016 and attended the Morris County Fire - Academy. He also completed training as an EMT and Hazmat Technician. He worked as a Firefighter on Tour 1 assigned to both EMS-1 and Ladder-1. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2023 where he currently works out of the Administrative Office. Gabriel was also a proud member of the Nutley Fire Department’s FMBA 44 Executive Board where he served as a State Delegate for six years. He currently serves on the State FMBA’s Legislative Committee where he works with other committee members on legislation pertaining to labor and the fire service.

Gabriel is a third generation firefighter. His Grandfather, Robert Miller served as a Deputy Chief for the Newark Fire Department. His Father, Brian Miller is currently a Battalion Chief for the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue. Gabriel is proud of the long standing Irish Heritage in the fire service and has participated in the Nutley Saint Patrick’s Day Parade throughout his career.

Our 2024 Member of the Year is Barbara O'Halloran

Barbara O’Halloran is honored to be the Nutley Irish American Association 2024 Member of the Year. Barbara also would like to thank the Officers, Trustees, and NIAA members and a special thanks to NIAA President Deidre Hollywood. Barbara currently resides in Nutley with her two daughters, Samantha and Kelly, and her mother-in-law Vicki. She was born and raised in Belleville to a large family of eleven before moving to Nutley in 1991 where she has resided ever since.

Barbara has been employed by the county of Essex: Division of Family Benefits and Assistance for the past sixteen years. Barbara is a ten year member of the Nutley Irish. She participates in many events throughout the year while also lending a helping hand whenever one is needed. She has continuously served on the parade committee and is striving to beat her donation record from last year’s Relay for Life as the NIAA’s captain for this year’s Rally 4 Hope. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, spending quality time with her girls (Samantha, Kelly, and little four-legged Penelope) and spending time in Lake Adventure.

Our 2024 Parade Queen is Tara Catherine Reid

Tara Catherine Reid wishes to express her sincere appreciation to the Officers, Trustees, and members of the Nutley Irish American Association for the great honor and privilege of serving as Parade Queen of the 45th annual Nutley St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Tara is a Nutley native who graduated from Nutley High School in 2013. In 2017, she earned her bachelor's degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Rutgers University. She currently lives in Jersey City. Tara has worked in digital media since graduating and is currently the Director of Video Production at Rolling Stone. Beyond work, Tara enjoys acting, dancing, and volunteering. She was a dance instructor at New York Bodies, a medical actor at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, and an actress in the Estrogenius Short Play Festival in New York City. Additionally, Tara has volunteered as a producer and editor for organizations aiding those affected by substance abuse and incarceration such as Above and Beyond: Family Recovery Center, 2nd Opportunity, and American Friends Service Committee.

Tara descends from Michael O’Loughlin, ‘King of the Burren.’ One of the King’s daughters, Catherine O’Loughlin, is Tara’s great-great-great grandmother. Catherine married Mortimor O’Brien of Poplar House in 1839. Tara’s maternal great grandfather, Patrick Albert Smith, of the same lineage, immigrated to America. He arrived at Ellis Island on October 12, 1903, and then began work as a truck driver in New York City. Patrick was a selfless man who was loved and adored. Tara is honored to represent all of those who came before her during this parade.