2022 Grand Marshals

Although Michael(Moose) & Mary Jo O’ Regan grew up 4 hours away in Ireland, it took both of

them moving to the United States to finally meet and fall in love. Michael grew up in Tralee,

County Kerry and Mary Jo grew up in Connemara, County Galway.

Michael worked for the government in Ireland as a land surveyor and played a variety of sports

including Gaelic football,basketball and represented Ireland in Judo winning an International

bronze medal for Ireland in 1978. Moose took a career break from his land surveying job in

1986 and emigrated to New York where he played football for Kerry in Gaelic Park and worked a

variety of jobs including construction, bartending, moving and singing in Irish pubs. He took a

vacation to Marco Island FL in 1988 and fell in love with the Marco Island/Naples area. He

opened Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub on 5th Ave in 1998 with his long time friends, Paddy

McDonagh from Galway and John McNaboe from Cavan.

Mary Jo completed her degree at The National University of Ireland, Galway and took a career

break from her teaching position in 2004. She came to Naples to work and sing at Paddy

Murphy’s Pub for the season. Prior to moving to Naples full time, Mary Jo participated in a vocal

Talent show in Ireland called Glor Tire. On completion of the show she moved to Naples in

December of 2004 and married Michael in 2006. Mary Jo resumed her teaching career on

Marco Island and taught Biology for 7 years. She was honored and humbled to be awarded the

Teacher of the year Students Choice Award. Eight years ago she changed career paths and

became a Real Estate agent with Engel & Volkers, Marco Island. The O’ Regan’s rekindled their

love of music creating several original songs and performing regularly at Paddy’s during the

busy season.

Both Michael and Mary Jo are very involved with the local community. Mary Jo being a breast

cancer survivor herself volunteers for the American Cancer Association. They both donate their

time to the San Marco Catholic church, The Sons & Daughters of Erin and for the past 5 years

they have worked closely with the ALS Association.

In 2014 a dear friend of theirs, Cindy Amerine, was diagnosed with ALS. She wrote the lyrics to

a song and asked Michael to compose the music and Mary Jo to be the vocalist. This song is

now know as the ALS Odyssey Anthem. Mary Jo recorded and sang the song for the ALS

Association all over the country and various fundraising events. The song was used to raise

money for ALS research and the O’ Regans hosted the first walk to Defeat ALS on Marco Island

to honor Cindy and all those affected by ALS.

Michael has 3 children Michael, Sean and Shannon. They also now have 3 grandchildren

Peyton, Addison and Riley. Moose along with his long time partner John McNaboe and his son

Michael are currently building a new Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub on Marco Island and hope to

bring another Paddy Murphy’s back to Naples in the near future.

Paddy Murphy’s have always supported the St. Patrick’s day parade since 1998. Moose and

Mary Jo are so proud and honored to be this years Co-Grand Marshall’s of the Naples, St.

Patricks Day Parade. They are forever grateful for the friendships they have gained and the

businesses they have been able to develop thanks to the communities ongoing support.