BUFFALO, N.Y. — Mary Heneghan was a lot of things to Buffalo's Irish community.
She was the longtime director of the Buffalo Irish Center and the owner of Tara gift shop across the street.
But according to Thomas Heneghan, "I'm Mary's eldest son."
His mother's greatest accomplishment was simply being Irish.
"Her heritage, it was what she was most proud of. Her Irish Heritage. The music the culture, everything about it," Thomas said.
The gift shop and her contributions to South Buffalo were that love turned reality.
"She quit being a teacher, believe it or not, to start this Irish gift shop, and it took off, and the community has supported it all these years," Thomas said.
In return, Mary Heneghan gave right back to the community. Working tirelessly on events like the Civic Luncheon, Rince na Tiarna Irish Dance School, and so much more.
She especially fought for the designation of Abbott Road between Southside and Red Jacket parkways as an Irish Heritage District. Where street signs are in Gaelic and English and Shamrocks adorn the light poles.
As Thomas put it, the block had become his mother's, but on Friday, March 1, 2024, the City of Buffalo and Buffalo Common Council President Chris Scanlon made it official.
On what would have been Mary Heneghan's 78th birthday the section of Abbott Road she had worked so hard to create was renamed Mary Heneghan Way.
"She was focused on educating and promoting the true riches of Irish culture," Council President Scanlon said.
"I hope that many generations of our Irish community continue to try and model themselves after her and be great leaders for the Irish community," current Irish Center director Tim Flanagan said.
For Mary's daughters, Judge Shannon and Mary Kay Heneghan, it was an honor.
"I am beyond words we are incredibly touched and we are incredibly grateful for what she's done for the community but most of all for us," Judge Shannon Heneghan said.
Mary Kay, who runs Rince na Tiarna Irish Dance School, pictured her dancers looking out the windows of the Irish Center and seeing the green-and-white sign and smiled.
"I just think it will keep her attached to the building and the community," Mary Kay said.
Thomas Heneghan added: "It's always been my mother's block to me anyway so it's just nice that everybody else will realize that."