Bethel's New Irish Dance School, Hibernian of the Year, Join in St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

BETHEL, CT-- Danbury's Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation and the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center kicked off their month-long St. Patrick's Day celebrations with the annual Irish Ball on March 5, 2016.

• Click here to see photos of the Irish Ball.

Bethel resident Meghan O'Connor and Paul Grasseler, Sr., of Sherman, were named the Hibernians of the Year and will have the distinct honor of leading the City of Danbury's St. Patrick's Day parade, along with their fellow Men's and Lady Hibernians, Pipe and Drum Corps bands, Celtic Cross, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops, local politicians and of course Mayor Mark Boughton.

Boughton presented O'Connor and Grasseler with a proclamation from the City of Danbury last Saturday at The Amber Room for their hard work and dedication to local charities and preserving Irish culture in the area.

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., Bethel's Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance (formerly Gilleoghan 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