The Murphy story

My name is Denise Murphy McGraw. Before people know anything else about me, they usually know I'm Irish - and that’s perfectly fine with me. In fact, I consider it one of life's great blessings.

Being Irish has never been simply an ancestry to me. It is part of who I am. It has shaped my values, my love of community, and my lifelong commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of the Irish people.

Growing up in the New York metropolitan area, Sunday mornings meant Irish music on WFUV. The tunes, the stories, and the unmistakable sounds of Ireland filled our home. Long before I ever set foot in Ireland, those broadcasts connected me to a place, a culture, and a people I was proud to call my own. It is a memory that still brings a smile to my face.

As I've grown older, my connection to Ireland has become less about looking back and more about ensuring our stories continue to be told.

Today, I have the privilege of serving as Chairwoman of the Board of the Irish American Heritage Museum, where we preserve and share the remarkable stories of the Irish diaspora—stories of courage, perseverance, faith, and hope that helped shape America and continue to inspire new generations. I am also a proud member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, carrying forward a tradition of friendship, faith, charity, and Irish pride that has endured for well over a century.

One of the most meaningful chapters of my Irish journey has come through an unexpected place—baseball. As a leader with the Irish American Baseball Society, I help foster connections across the Irish diaspora by bringing together players, coaches, executives, media members, and fans who celebrate and explore their Irish heritage through a shared love of baseball. Baseball may be America's pastime, but it has also become another bridge between Ireland and the United States. Helping strengthen those connections reminds me that heritage is not something we simply inherit. It is something we celebrate, share, and pass on.

As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, I am reminded that the Irish have been woven into the fabric of this nation since its very beginning. Generation after generation, Irish immigrants and their descendants have helped build our communities, strengthen our democracy, enrich our culture, and leave an indelible mark on every corner of American life.

My name has always connected me to my heritage. What I have learned over the years is that being Irish isn't simply about the name we inherit. It is about the stories we preserve, the communities we build, the friendships we create, and the traditions we pass on.

I am proud that when people hear the name Denise Murphy McGraw, they know they are meeting someone who cherishes her Irish heritage and is committed to ensuring it continues to flourish for generations to come.

This is my Irish story, and I am honored to share it as part of America Éire. I hope it inspires you to share yours.