For Immediate Release:

September 21, 2012

Freeholder Curley receives Hibernian Award

SEA GIRT, NJ – Monmouth County Freeholder Director John P. Curleywas named the Festival Chieftain of the 14^thannual Irish Festival At the Jersey Shore on Sept. 15 by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Monmouth County Division 2.

The event was held at the Sea Girt Armory.

“I am extremely honored to be recognized by the Ancient Order of the Hibernians for my public service,” Curley said. “Public service is an important element of the American tradition and way of life.”

Curley, a resident of Middletown, has served as a Monmouth County freeholder since 2010. During that time he has worked on efforts to keep county spending down, eliminate a backlog in requests for emergency food assistance and uncovered financial improprieties at Brookdale Community College that led to change in leadership at the college. Utilizing business practices, Director Curley led the fight to maintain a flat tax levy in the County.

“I am blessed to be Irish in heritage and honored to join the ranks of festival chieftains,” Curley added. “We are fortunate to represent an organization that holds dear the promotion of friendship, unity and Christian charity and understands the importance of giving back to the community.”

The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is America’s oldest Irish Catholic fraternal organization founded concurrently in the coal-mining region of Pennsylvania and New York City in1836. Today, the AOH exists in America, Canada, Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland. Its motto is “Friendship, Unity andChristian Charity.”

In Monmouth County, the group was formed in 1990 and named in honor of Patrick Torphy.

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