Since 1963, the
Rockland County Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Patrick’s Day Parade has
celebrated St. Patrick the patron Saint of Ireland and the invaluable
contributions that Irish-Americans have made to America. Considered by many to
be second largest St. Patrick’s Parade in the New York after the great New York
City parade, the parade regularly draws as many as 50,000 spectators.
For 2011, The
Ancient Order of Hibernians’ have selected Tim O’Neill to lead the parade as
Grand Marshal. Tim is a proud descendant of Counties Cork and Kerry. He is
well known for his TV commentary during the annual broadcast of the Rockland
Parade. Tim is a Detective Sergeant with the Clarkstown Police Department and
a tireless worker for many Irish and community causes. Joining Tim as this
year’s parade honorees are:
·
Ernest
Joseph Vallebuona
as Parade
Commander. Ernest is a former member of the NYPD and has been an advocate in
securing health care protections for 9/11 responders..
·
Aide to the Grand Marshal New York City Frank McDonagh, Frank is a
retired NYPD second grade Detective and has been an active member of the
Hibernians and Rockland Parade Committee..
·
Hibernian Business Persons of the Year
Richard Windram and Jim Walsh both of whom are
executives with Verizon
·
Rockland County Hibernian of the Year
Tom Leavey,
who is the current president of the Terence McSwiney Division 5 of the AOH in
Blauvelt, NY.
The parade will be
held on Sunday March 20st. The day will
start with 9:00 am Mass, to be celebrated at Dominican Convent, located at 175
Route 340, Sparkill, N.Y.. Breakfast shall follow immediately afterwards in
Casa Mia Manor House, located on Route 303 in Blauvelt , NY . Cost is $25 per
person. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Jim Russell, Parade Mass and
Breakfast Chair at 845-300-2930 or email:
[email protected].
At 1:30 pm the Parade will step off from the Pfizer (formerly Wyeth/Lederle)
parking lot off of Middeltown Road, Pearl River NY.
