04/26/2026
Get to know our 2026 Sr. Marguerite Torre Memorial Golf Outing & Dinner honoree, Ian Conroy, though we’re willing to bet many of you encountered Ian and his famous Irish hospitality over the years! Join us to celebrate honor Ian on June 1st by visiting https://tildonkursuline.org/golf2026
Born and raised alongside his six siblings in County Tipperary, Ireland, Ian completed his primary education at Aglish National School in County Tipperary and played hurling and Gaelic football with Borrisokane GAA Club, winning multiple county championships and a player of the year award, and honing the strong work ethic, leadership skills, and service-driven values that would become the foundation of his future success. He played hurling and football at all levels for Tipperary, captaining under-21 football teams and winning All-Ireland Minor and Under-21 Football Championships, in addition to the 1985 Ford Open Draw senior hurling tournament. He later attended St. Flannan's College Ennis, where he won a Dr. Harty Cup and All-Ireland Colleges Hurling Championship, followed by University College Cork (UCC), where he won two Fitzgibbon Cups, Ireland’s premier inter-collegiate hurling championship.
Ian emigrated to the United States in 1985, and within two years opened his first New York City establishment, The Horse and Jockey. Soon after, Ian partnered with his brother, Niall, in a business relationship that would span more than three decades - together opening the famous midtown Manhattan bar, Mustang Sally's, in 1993, soon followed by Mustang Harry's, just two blocks north from Madison Square Garden. Inspired by Ian and Niall’s family pub in Ireland, Mustang Harry’s has remained a celebrated New York City institution for 30 years and counting, even famously becoming a safe haven for stranded New Yorkers during Hurricane Sandy.
After emigrating to NYC, while building his restaurant business, Ian played football and hurling, winning three championships for Tipperary Hurling Club New York. Ian also played Gaelic football for Donegal and the Connemara Gaels in NY GAA before retiring in 1997. While serving as chairman of St. Brigid's Girls GAA club in New York, Ian coached girls' Gaelic football, leading New York to an under-14 Féile championship win against Ireland’s best.
Off the field, he has supported a range of charitable organizations over the years, including the Down Syndrome Society of Ireland, the Edith Wilkins Foundation in India, Soul of the Peruvian Andes (SOPA), and Shalom Africa, and regularly hosts fundraisers for New York City’s public service members at Mustang Harry’s.
Above all, Ian counts his family as his greatest achievement. He and his wife, Joanie, have been happily married for 24 years, and together they have two children: Casey, who recently graduated from UMass, and Colin, who is currently studying in Ireland.
