IAS Irish Person of the Year 2010

Congratulations to Eve Dunigan!!

Eve was born at St. Ann's Hospital in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on March 16, 1940. Her happy and elated parents, Paul & Polly Powers, named her Eva Lee. Eve's Grandma Powers was especially elated because Eve was born on her birthday. Eve was baptized at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Cleveland Heights and soon after, Eva Lee Powers and her family moved to the Westside of Cleveland to a suburb called Lakewood, Ohio where she grew up attending St. James Elementary School and graduated from Lakewood High School. Eve was an average student, active in sports--basketball and field hockey, and involved with speech, the actors guild, and some musicals.

The summer after graduation, she met the most fantastic young man (Frank) at the beach. He was built like a gladiator, bright eyed, full of fun and a great kisser. After a whirlwind courtship of six months, Eve & Frank got married. Eve & Frank set up housekeeping and in the first two years of their young and wonderful marriage they had two sons, Scott and Mathew. Frank's job took them to Chicago and two years later to Essex, Connecticut.

Two and one half years later, just as they were building a new home, and Eve was elected the first President of The Junior Women's League, which she helped Charter, the family was transferred to Bay Village, Ohio. While back in Ohio, Eve became active with The Junior Women's Club and volunteering once again. Eve gave birth to a third Son, Daniel in 1969.

Eve's travels continued and in 1973 Eve and her crew moved to Dallas, Texas. After getting the boys settled in the Richardson Independent School District, and Frank starting his own business, Eve started working for the RISD allowing her to keep an eye on the boys. When the youngest boy, Danny, graduated from Lake Highlands High School, Eve retired and joined Frank at his work and remained for 12 years before retiring in September of 2000.

Eve's great grandparents were from County Waterford and were married at the Cathedral in downtown Waterford City. Eve's great grandparents were not the only reason why she has always enjoyed her Irish Heritage.

She grew up in a predominantly Irish neighborhood and enjoyed the Cleveland Downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade, attending The Emerald Civic Society Events. The Westside Irish Club and The Tam-O-Shanter Pub were frequent places to enjoy songs and friends.

In Dallas, Eve became a member of the Irish American Society in 1984 and started to be active; playing in the Kazoo Band in the back of a pickup truck during The Downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade. Eve continued to meet new people at the NFL Club, Irish functions, Irish Fest and anything else Irish. Eve became far more active in the years that followed.

Since 1992, Eve has assisted and/or chaired various events for the IAS, The Texas Rose of Tralee, Irish Cultural Institute and for many years helped set up and worked the  booths at The Irish Fest. Eve has been a judge of the Rose Candidates, traveled to Tralee, Ireland many, many times for the International Selection on behalf of The Texas Rose, she was treasurer for the IAS, besides chairing and serving The IAS Ball, The IAS Christmas Party and many other events. She has been a fixture at almost anything Irish for more than 20 years. Last but not least, Eve has cherished the wonderful friends and relationships she has gained over the years in the Texas Irish Community.

Former Irish Persons of the year