Brookfielders Celebrate Irish Heritage at St. Patrick's Day Parade

Brookfielder John Mara, known to karaoke fans as “Johnny Love,” rode his green Harley-Davidson motorcycle, blaring Irish music from its speakers, in Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Danbury.

“Getting a Harley has been a lifelong dream for me,” Mara told Patch. “It’s always been on my bucket list so this year I told myself, ‘I’m going to just do it.’” Mara is the permittee of the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center, who sponsors the parade every year.

Mara and his girlfriend Jeannine Palmer were celebrating Sunday as members of the mens and ladies Hibernians and own Mystery Ink Tattoo on the Brookfield/New Milford town line.

Riding in a red Mustang just behind Mara was Kevin Hearty, mens Hibernian of the year for 2014. Judy Corbett was named ladies Hibernian of the year but was unable to participate in the parade.

Marchers were bundled in their warmest Irish sweaters, wool socks and hats and plenty of green garb for Danbury’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. The frigid temperatures may have kept some spectators away, but the turnout at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center was great despite the cold.

The parade was led by Danbury’s Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums, followed by Fr. Jeff Couture of St. Peter Church, Mayor Mark Boughton, Sen. Michael McLachlan and other local politicians. The parade was sponsored by Danbury’s Ancient Order of Hibernians whose men’s and ladies’ divisions marched proudly with their Irish flags, banners and pikes.

The Stephen P. Driscoll Marching Band, Germantown Ancients, Fifth Connecticut Regiment, Gilleoghan Irish Dance, Danbury Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, Immaculate High School, Danbury High School’s marching band and color guard threw candy for waiting children along the parade route on a brisk but sunny Sunday. Danbury Police, firefighters, U.S. Army and National Guard rode along the parade route and enjoyed free hot dogs and refreshments, courtesy of the Irish Cultural Center.

Parade co-chairs Anne Marie Gorman and Kevin Hearty were pleased with the turnout despite the blustery weather.

The entertainment continued at the Irish Cultural Center with Steve O’Tree’s band and dancers from Bethel’s Gilleoghan Irish Dance school.

For more information about the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center, click here.

Photos by Patrick J. Barry