2022 Grand Marshals

Michael & Mary Jo O'Regan
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.