Katie Ann Barrett is the office manager for Dr. Margaret Fitzsimons, who maintains a private dental practice in Maspeth that has served the Irish community and beyond for the past 16 years. 

A native of Manchester, but raised in Gweedore, Co. Donegal, Barrett attended the New York County Dental Society and has qualifications in dental nursing and radiology.

She relocated to the U.S. in 2000 to follow her boyfriend, now her husband, Michael Barrett. They have two children. 

“My Irish heritage influences my life and that of my family on a daily basis. My upbringing has made me who I am today. My sense of humor and the gift of the gab are assets that are truly Irish,” says Barrett, who is deeply involved in the Irish American community. 

She is vice president of the Donegal Association of New York, and an assistant to the Irish Apostolate of New York. She also volunteers with the United Irish Counties. “I only hope that in years to come, my work will have helped to keep our traditions alive,” says Barrett, who last year received the Shining Star Award from Bishop of Brooklyn Nicholas DiMarzio for her work with the Apostolate. 

“My desire is to impart as much knowledge of my culture as possible to all who may be interested in learning about what binds us to our ancestry. New York is my home now, and I love all that America offers my family. Ireland may be far away but never far from my heart,” says Barrett, who speaks fluent Gaelic along with her husband.