Saint Patrick's Day Parade .com

     The Largest Irish Parade Website in the World:  "Where the Irish Meet on the Internet for Parade Information"

 

Attention all honorees (Grand Marshals Irishmen of the Year, etc...) an important message for your special day.

 

                   

 

2010 Limited Saint Parade Day Parade Pins are now available, Buy your limited edition pin now, quickly to sell out

Collect all (4) High Quality Limited Edition Collector Pins now, while they last.

 

Attention: All Bands, Pipers, Step Dancers and Irish Organizations click here

 

 

 

2011 New Haven Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Sunday, March 13th 2011 1:00 am -- Downtown New Haven

 

All the St. Patrick's Day Parades in the State of Connecticut

 

The Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 13th starts its march at 1:00 p.m.. It will step off from Derby Avenue and Chapel Street, marching down Chapel Street to Church Street. It passes the reviewing stand in front of New Haven's City Hall and continues on Church Street to Grove Street, turning right and ending on Orange Street.

Among the 3,000 marchers this year will be an assortment of pipers, drums, fifes, flutes, Irish wolfhounds, parade queens, and even clowns to delight the over 250,000 spectators that line the parade route each year.

Free automobile parking for parade spectators is allowed in all Yale University parking lots around the Yale campus except for the restricted lots with red signs which are gate controlled. Parking is also available throughout the city and in various on-street parking and parking authority garages.

Cead Mile Failte  ( A hundred thousand welcomes) to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee of Greater New Haven. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade tradition was born in New Haven on March 17, 1942, when about 90 members of the Hibernian Provident Society, a mutual aid organization formed the previous year, marched through the city streets behind a banner made especially for the occasion. Lovingly sewn into the banner were traditional Irish depictions: St. Patrick in his bishop’s robes, an Irish wolfhound, a harp, shamrocks, and a portrait of Gen. Richard Montgomery, the Irish-born hero of the American Revolution.

Since the mid-1950’s the St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Greater New Haven has become one of New England’s premier Irish events. It is the largest, single-day spectator event in the State of Connecticut. As the 6th oldest parade in the nation, its fame was recognized by the Library of Congress in 1999.  This keepsake of New Haven’s Irish community became a national keepsake when the Library of Congress selected the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade as an outstanding example of American folk life. (Moynihan and Hogan)

 

Thank you to all who participate, attend and support the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade. An estimated 200,000 spectators lined the streets of the Elm City in 2007. We are in the midst of planning the 2011 parade which will take place on Sunday, March 13th, 2011. We are very proud of this great tradition and we invite you to enjoy the information and history of our great parade.

 

  

 

 

Now Marching for the 247th Consecutive Year Up Fifth Avenue in New York City - Marched for the first time on March 17, 1762 - Sixteen Years before the Declaration of Independence was adopted. More....

 

The Parade will be reviewed from the steps of Saint Patrick's Cathedral by His Eminence Cardinal Edward  Eagan, Archbishop of New York.  It will also be reviewed from the Official Reviewing Stand at 64th Street and 5th Avenue.

 

The parade marches up 5th Avenue, clan by clan, from 44th to 86th streets starting at 11am on St. Patrick's Day (Thursday, March 17th).

Last year marked the 243rd New York St. Patrick's Day Parade, the world's largest. 2004 Grand Marshal Thomas W. Gleason and 2003 James G. O'Connor was the Grand Marshal the year before, and Mayor Bloomberg marched along with nearly 150,000 others proudly wearing the green, as millions gawk along the parade route and watch on TV.

Two year ago marked the 241st New York St. Patrick's Day Parade, the world's largest. Edward Cardinal Egan was the Grand Marshall, and Mayor Bloomberg will marched along with nearly 150,000 others proudly wearing the green, as millions gawk along the parade route and watch on TV.

Two years ago parade was dedicated to the 'Heroes of 9/11, ' including police, fire and all rescue workers. At around midday, the parade will pause for one minute as Cardinal Egan leads participants in a prayer from the reviewing stand at 64th Street and 5th Avenue. It's a reminder that St. Paddy's Day is a religious holiday back in the motherland, even though for New Yorkers it's a chance to party hardy like any good Irishman. There probably isn't a bigger day when green face paint, green food coloring, green nail polish, and green clothes are on display. And there's pure Irish pageantry, of course, led by the 165th Infantry (originally the 69th Regiment of the 1850's). You'll see the Ancient Order of Hibernians, 30 Irish county societies and various Emerald, Irish-language and Irish nationalist societies.

The parade marches up 5th Avenue, clan by clan, from 44th to 86th streets starting at 11am on St. Patrick's Day (Thursday, March 17th). It will probably be televised on NBC.

The first official parade in the City was held in 1766 by Irishmen in a military unit recruited to serve in the American colonies. For the first few years of its existence, the parade was organized by military units until after the war of 1811. At that point in time, Irish fraternal and beneficial societies took over the duties of hosting and sponsoring the event.

Originally, Irish societies joined together at their respective meeting places and moved in a procession toward St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, St. James Church, or one of the many other Roman Catholic churches in the City. However, as the years passed, the size of the parade increased and around the year 1851, as individual societies merged under a single grand marshal, the size of the parade grew sharply.

Each year a unit of soldiers marches at the head of the parade; the Irish 165th Infantry (originally the 69th Regiment of the 1850's) has become the parade's primary escort, and they are followed by the various Irish societies of the city. Some of the other major sponsors and participants in the parade are the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the thirty Irish county societies, and various Emerald, Irish-language, and Irish nationalist societies.

 More NYC Irish Pubs - About Saint Patrick's Cathedral

The annual parade down Fifth Avenue to honor the patron saint of Ireland is a New York tradition that dates as far back as 1766. The festivities kick off at 44th Street and Fifth Avenue at 11:00 am on  Wednesday, March 17th, with bagpipers, high school bands, and the ever-present politicians making their way up Fifth Avenue to 86th Street, where the parade will probably finish around 2:30 or 3:00 pm.

The best viewing spots are toward the north end of the parade route, away from the shopping and work-a-day crowds that throng the sidewalks below 59th Street. Try sitting on the upper steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a great view or catching a close-up view of the marchers where the parade turns east on 86th Street.

The New York Convention & Visitors Bureau says that the St. Patrick's Day Parade is the largest and most famous of the many parades held in the city each year. 

The parade marches up 5th Avenue, from 44th to 86th streets starting at 11am on St. Patrick's Day (Thursday, March 17th). It will probably be televised on NBC.

  

 

2003 Installation of James G. O'Connor as Grand Marshal

 

Additional NYC photos Click Here

 

 

2002 New York City

Saint Patrick's Day Photo's Page1  Page 2  Page 3  Page 4  Page 5  Page 6

2002 NYC Grand Marshal Edward Cardinal Egan

 Advertise Here 

New York Irish Pubs click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006 New Haven Saint Patrick's Day Parade

March 12, 2006   1:30 pm

New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade 2006

2006 Grand Marshal John J. Cannon

for additional info visit our friends at the official site: stpatricksdayparade.org

The 2006 New Haven St Patrick's Day Parade will be held on March 12 at 1.30. A 10 o'clock Parade Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church on Hillhouse Avenue to begin the day's festivities. For more detailed information on the parade itself, please click on the 'Announcements' or the 'Parade Orders' links above. We do hope you will join us and have a great day.

2004 Grand Marshal

 EILEEN SULLIVAN DONADIO

 

HISTORY OF THE NEW HAVEN ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

THE FIRST ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

In 17th and 18th century Ireland a British rule prohibited public demonstrations by the Irish, allowing them only the right to religious processions. In order to get around that British rule, on St. Patrick's Day the Irish held "religious processions" after Mass through the streets of Dublin. From this act of defiance against the British, our modern-day parades evolved.

The newly formed New Haven Hibernian Provident Society sponsored the first St. Patrick's Day Parade held in New Haven, Connecticut on March 17, 1842, which makes this the oldest St. Patrick's Day Parade in New England and the sixth-longest-running parade in America.

On St. Patrick's Day March 17, 1842, the procession, headed by the New Haven Blues Band, marched up Chapel Street to York Street to the Catholic Church on Mount Pleasant where Mass was held. After Mass the Hibernian Society marched through State, Elm, York and Chapel Streets to the Exchange Saloon located at the corner of Church and Chapel Streets, where all gathered to sing songs about Ireland and St. Patrick. (The Exchange Saloon was a hall, not a drinking saloon.)

THE CIVIL WAR YEARS

During the Civil War years only two St. Patrick's Day Parades were held, one in 1862 and another in 1865. Hundreds of Irish men in New Haven had volunteered in 1861 when President Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers to serve their country. They joined several regiments, one of which was dubbed the Irish Regiment. The valiant Ninth Volunteer Regiment of Connecticut, whose commander was Colonel Thomas M. Cahill, a member of one of the local Irish societies, was an outgrowth of a state militia company formed in 1849 of Irish born and naturalized citizens of Irish birth. The regiment left New Haven on November 21, 1861 numbering 845 men. It remained in service all through the Civil War and engaged the enemy in numerous encounters. (A monument to this Irish regiment was dedicated in 1803, in the City Point section of New Haven, on the grounds where the regiment was formed and drilled.)

During the 18th century many St. Patrick's Day Parades were held in New Haven, assembling at the South Gate of the New Haven Green and stepping off between noon and 2 o'clock. The Green is the center of the city, comprised of the original nine squares of colonial New Haven and bounded on one side by Yale University. For many years the weather did not cooperate: there was snow on the ground, or it was snowing, or a cold bitter rain was coming down causing the streets to turn into mud and slush. However, this never dampened the spirits or festivities of the parade goers.

As the Irish population grew in New Haven various Irish organizations were formed: the Sons of Irishmen; Friendly Sons of St. Patrick; the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the oldest catholic lay organization in America; the Irish American Social Club; and the Knights of St. Patrick; established on March 17, 1878, the Knights have held an annual banquet on St. Patrick's Day since its inception). These organizations became known as the Associated Irish Societies, and over the years it has been their responsibility to organize and fund the parade.

The Irish organizations, church groups, marching bands, and policemen on horseback made up the early parades. Many parade goers and marchers had green ribbons in their buttonholes or a sprig of shamrock in their hatband. Sprigs of shamrocks were shipped from Ireland annually so they would arrive in time for the big day. Residents decorated their houses, and merchants put out flags and banners to celebrate St. Patrick's Day along the parade route.

1874 PARADE

In 1874 one of the largest St. Patrick's Day Parades took place. Some newspaper reports stated that there were 4,000 marchers and others claimed 6,000. Trains early that day brought in thousands of people from Hartford, New Britain, Middletown, and Portland. Horse-drawn streetcars brought people from the countryside to view the parade. Long before it began, several of the societies could be seen congregating at the different clubrooms, accompanied by the bands which were to accompany them in the line of march.

According to the newspaper report, drizzling rain resulted in two inches of mud on the Green, making assembly of the parade units difficult. As the marchers stepped off, heavy rain made the muddy streets worse. The line, however, filed out of the Green in good order, started down Chapel Street to Church Street, and passed the reviewing stand in front of City Hall in review of his Honor Mayor Lewis and city authorities. The Parade started and finished just as the organizers planned.

THE PARADE LESS YEARS

In 1885 the Irish societies voted not to hold a parade on the advice of Catholic priests. It was argued that the money raised to fund the parade should instead be given to the needy. For many years following, the Irish in New Haven did not have a parade but rather celebrated St. Patrick's Day by going to Mass and wearing a green necktie or sporting a sprig of shamrock. Individual clubs sponsored dances and concerts but there was no community celebration in the form of a parade.

From 1885 to the 1820s there is no historical mention in the news media of St. Patrick's Day Parades being held in New Haven. In 1821, 1822, and 1823 there were small parades held late in the day with only a few bands taking part. One band was the Irish Bagpipe Band from New Jersey, and another was the Irish American Drum Corps, and they paraded through the center of the City in honor of St. Patrick. Usually some of the bands ended up at banquets to entertain the guests.

Even though no parades were held during the late 1820s, 30s, and 40s, religious services honored St. Patrick. According to the newspaper, after church some Irishmen who belonged to the Irish Rifle Club met for a friendly shoot at the Quinnipiac Range.

THE MODERN PARADE

In the fall of 1855 a meeting was held at the Hibernian Hall to discuss the rebirth of a St. Patrick's Day Parade in New Haven. The Ancient Order of Hibernians would be the sponsor. At that meeting William Gallogly, President of the Statewide Ancient Order of Hibernians, was selected as Chairman, and Frank Reynolds as Vice Chairman, Archbishop O'Brien was informed of the Parade to honor Ireland's patron saint and was asked for his blessing. Shortly thereafter, a meeting was held at the Guard Hotel in New Haven and John Sheehan, who had chaired many St. Patrick's Day Parades in New York City, was invited to attend. He provided advice and cautioned that the first parade should emphasize respect and dignity. The rebirth of the parade was to be an annual celebration to be held on the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick and act as an inspiration each St. Patrick's Day. At the meeting it was decided to have the parade on Saturday March 17, 1856. The day before that 1856 parade, a snowstorm dumped 18 inches of snow on the city streets. Mayor Richard C. Lee, who was honorary Parade Chairman, made sure the streets were plowed so that the parade could go on the next day. In the tradition of their 18th-century predecessors, the parade was held as scheduled. The modern era of parade history had begun.

For several years the parade was held on St. Patrick's Day or the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. However, it was found that there was a shortage of bands and marching units available because many units from the area also marched in the New York City parade, which was always held on March 17. It was therefore decided to change New Haven's parade date to the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day. This was also a popular change with the spectators, as they would not have to take time off from school or work to attend. As many as 175,000 spectators come to the city each year, especially when the weather is nice, to watch our parade.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade continued to be sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians from 1856 until 1866 when fundraising became too difficult for them to do alone. At that time the Knights of St. Patrick, the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club, and the West Haven Irish American Club added their sponsorship. Under the title of the Associated Irish Societies Inc., these clubs continue to sponsor the parade. Each Irish club also makes a contribution to the Parade Committee to help with expenses.

In 1869 a city resident tried to halt the parade by obtaining a temporary restraining order. Restraining orders, and an injunction to prohibit future St. Patrick's Day parades, were also filed. The claim stated that the parade was a religious procession and thus violated the U.S. Constitution. A second petition was filed against the city regarding the appropriation of funds for the parade. According to the decision handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert C. Zampano, "The parade has not been shown to inhibit or advance any religious cause in violation of the establishment clause or free exercise clause of the First Amendment". He further stated, "It is common knowledge that the parade attracts thousands of spectators of all races, religious and national origins. The atmosphere is festive and no religious ceremonies will be performed as part of the parade. Except for the name, the parade differs very little from other parades, i.e., Columbus Day, Memorial Day, etc., held annually in the city". According to the local New Haven Register, the Judge's ruling regarding the appropriation of funds for the parade stated that the funds were granted in accordance with the city charter and by city officials to the Associated Irish Societies. In the 1880s the committee decided to decline this contribution from the city of New Haven and has not applied for city funding for the parade since that time.

The City of New Haven does not sponsor or organize the parade. However, it contributes police protection for marchers and spectators. Parade permits are signed months in advance and meetings are held with city officials to discuss the parade route. The parade is the largest non-commercial parade in New England; no unit is sponsored by a business and parade units carry no banners with advertisements.

THE PARADE COMMITTEE

The Parade Committee is comprised of approximately sixty people from diverse backgrounds. They are charged with the task of raising the funds to support the parade and attending to all the numerous details that must be addressed in order for the parade to take place.

The committee begins meeting nine months prior to parade day, and meets each month up to the week prior to the parade. In addition, the committee sponsors a wide variety of fundraising events throughout each year.

On parade day the committee members meet shortly after 9:00 A.M. in the hall of St. Mary's Church on Hill house Avenue on the campus of Yale University. (It was in this parish that the nationally known Knights of Columbus organization was founded more than 120 years ago.) Parade committee members, dressed in their top hats and tails help each other put on parade sashes. Everyone is given a green carnation and an official parade button for their lapels. Some members also wear a lapel pin to indicate the Irish club to which they belong. The Parade Queen and her Honor Attendant, dressed in gowns and carrying bouquets of flowers, join the parade committee to march into church.

Two bagpipers from the New Haven Gaelic Highland Pipe Band, Fred Saunders and Pat Mulaney, lead the procession into the church. They are followed by the New Haven Police Color Guard, members from the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus in their capes and plumed hats, and the Parade Committee. Just behind the committee are the Pioneers of the Sacred Heart, an organization of Irish men and women based at St. Mary's and devoted to the cause of teetotalism. On parade day the church is packed with family, relatives, and friends, and parade goers who keep the tradition of starting the day's festivities by sharing the celebration of the Mass.

After Mass, photos are taken on the front steps of the church and everyone is invited to the church hall for tea and Irish soda bread, courtesy of the Pioneers of the Sacred Heart. Gradually the parade committee members disperse, only to reunite by 1 P.M. at the corner of Derby Avenue and Chapel Street, the starting point of the parade. The parade coordinator and the assistant coordinators move all units to their assigned positions in the parade. The Coordinator signals a prompt parade commencement at 1:30.

Today, the parade remains the largest spectator event in Connecticut.

for additional info: stpatricksdayparade.org