Bethel Woman Named 'Hiberian of the Year' will be Grand Marshal of St. Patrick's Day Parade

BETHEL, CT-- When Bethel resident Meghan O'Connor came up to receive her award at the Ancient Order of Hibernians' Irish Ball on March 5, it was with a quiet humility that shows the heart of a remarkable volunteer, dedicated to serving her community and preserving Irish culture.

O'Connor was named Lady Hibernian of the Year. Paul Grasseler, Sr., formerly of Danbury and now living in Sherman, was named Hibernian of the year for the men's division. Together they will lead Danbury's St. Patrick's Day parade on Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m.

• Danbury's Irish Kick Off Month of St. Patrick's Day Celebrations with Ball, Parade and More!

Mayor Mark Boughton presented both O'Connor and Grasseler with a proclamation from the City of Danbury.

• Click here to see photos of the Irish Ball.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is an Irish Catholic fraternal organization founded in New York City in 1836. Members must be Catholic and either Irish-born or of Irish descent.

O'Connor has been a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Mary McWhorter Division 58 since 2009 and demonstrates their motto of "Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity" through the countless hours she devotes to volunteering at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center and various charities in the region. She is on the Board of Directors of the LAOH and an officer with Catholic Action.

Grasseler has served as the President, Vice-President and Financial Secretary of the Danbury Men's AOH, John E. Gildea, Division #3. Together with his wife Diana, the couple breeds prize-winning show dogs. Grasseler was instrumental in helping the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation (GDICF) receive their 501(c)3 status. His family is from County Mayo and Sligo, Ireland.

The following events are planned by Danbury's Hibernians for St. Patrick's Day.

Thursday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day,

• 11 a.m. Mass at St Peter's with Father Jeff Couture
• Immediately following Mass, the Irish flag will be raised in Danbury at City Hall
• All are welcome to come to the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center (GDICC), 6 Lake Ave., Danbury, beginning at 1 p.m. for corned beef, cabbage and of course beer. The GDICC has Guinness and Harp on tap as well as a wide variety of other libations.
• From 4 - 5 p.m., the Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance will perform traditional Irish sets, reels and jigs at the GDICC
• From 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., Steve O'Tree will be in the pub of the GDICC singing and playing traditional Irish favorites.

The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held this year on Sunday, March 20, 2016. The parade steps off at 3 p.m. at Center and Main Street, Danbury in front of St. Peter Church.

Below is the schedule of events.

Sunday, March 20:

• 3 p.m. Greater Danbury St. Patrick's Day parade begins in front of St. Peter Church, Main and Center Streets
• 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. Chicks n' Sync at the GDICC, 6 Lake Ave., Danbury
• 4 p.m. Gray School of Irish Dance, GDICC
• 6 - 9 p.m. Steve O'Tree, GDICC

Questions? Call the club at 203-739-0010.

All photos by Wendy Mitchell