Mike Carty was born in Aughavas, Co. Leitrim, but emigrated to New York with his family in the early 1960s. He got involved quickly in the bar business, and along with his business partner, Austin Delaney, opened the first Rosie O’Grady’s in Manhattan in 1975. Rosie’s, as it is affectionately known, has since blossomed to become a major Irish restaurant in Manhattan.
Mike was deeply involved in GAA from day one, first as a player with the Leitrim Football Club, later as a trainer and very success manager, winning a pair of New York championships under his guidance. Mike was not just a very dedicated manager and player; he was also very helpful behind the scenes. At one stage, the whole Leitrim team was employed by Rosie’s. However, it was not just the GAA that were the main beneficiaries of Mike’s time and fundraising efforts. For nearly 25 years, he ran a charity golf outing which netted over $2 million dollars, with moneys being allocated to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Ballinamore Rehab plus several other organizations. Mike was also on the board of directors of the American Ireland Fund.
Marty Morrissey interviewed Mike Carty on stage.
Since arriving in New York, Mike has been a longtime loyal supporter of the NY GAA. He has been a central figure on numerous committees devoted to the improvement and development of Gaelic Park. He spearheaded the campaign for the resurfacing and lighting of the facility a few years back. Currently, Mike is a major driving force behind the new building that is currently at the foundational stage which will become not just the future headquarters of the NYGAA but will also be a major cultural and social center for the Irish and Irish American communities. It is hoped that the new building will help revitalize the NYGAA and that Gaelic Park will once again become the great Mecca that it was in times’ past. Thanks to Mike Carty, through his dauntless efforts this could soon become a reality.
Frank Brady with Joe and Caroline Carty.
Meanwhile, it certainly was a great night to be in Croke Park, Dublin, as Mike’s friends and acquaintances came from near and far to honor the man, who not only became a great benefactor to Leitrim and the GAA, but dozens of organizations, clubs, and associations benefitted from Mike’s generosity of the last half-century. He certainly was a great choice by NYGAA for the lifetime achievement award. The other very notably honorees were deserving of their awards for the contributions to the GAA through their stellar careers. Granted Mike had a respectable playing career and successful management career, but truly his accolades were unmatched behind the scenes.
Mike Carty with Marty Morrissey, Cork’s Billy Morgan, and Frank Brady.
