Greenwich Marks St. Patrick's Day With Irish Flag Raising

GREENWICH, CT — Despite the rain Thursday morning, the community, clad in green, came out to Town Hall for the Greenwich Hibernian Association's annual Irish flag raising to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Hibernian Association President Haydn O'Shea, member Jude Collins and Grand Marshal for Sunday's St. Patrick's Day parade, John Toner, helped raise the flag as the Irish national anthem played in the background. Quinn Collins then played the United States' national anthem on the trumpet.

"St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time, a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into spring magic, and new life in our trees and spring flowers," O'Shea said.

March 17 recognizes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. O'Shea said the holiday has evolved over time from more of a religious day filled with church services and feasts in Ireland, to a celebration of Irish culture around the world, especially here in the United States.

O'Shea and the Hibernian Association are gearing up for the 46th annual St. Patrick's Day parade, which will step-off from Town Hall at 2 p.m. this Sunday. This is the first parade since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's special to keep the tradition going here in Greenwich," O'Shea said.

This year's parade figures to be one of the largest in recent memory. The weather will also be pleasant, with high temperatures near 60 degrees.

There will be ten bands: Greenwich Pipe Band; Fairfield Gaelic Pipe Band; Fairfield County Police Pipes and Drums; Westchester Firefighters Pipes and Drums; Iona College Pipe Band; Essex County Emerald Society Pipe Band; Portchester High School Marching Band; Tappan Zee Bridgemen; Nash Drum Corp.; and Wholly Brass Band.

In addition, there will be at least 45 groups of local schools, scouts, fire and police departments and civic organizations marching.

There will be Irish step dancers from three local schools – Lynn Academy of Irish dance, Anam Cara Irish Dance and Harney Pender Keady Academy of Irish Dance.

A number of antique and vintage vehicles will be in the parade including an antique van sponsored by Sam Bridge Nursery. The always popular Pyramid Shriners Motor Patrol will perform in their miniature cars.

The Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Department will have with it a vintage 1935 American LaFrance Metropolitan 400 Senior firetruck.

"We include as many people as we can from all different diversities," O'Shea said. "We're really hoping for a big turnout on Sunday."

Toner was installed as the Grand Marshal at the Hibernian Association's annual St. Patrick's dinner dance on March 5. Toner was selected to lead the parade in 2020 and 2021, but both parades were canceled because of the pandemic.

Toner, who is of Irish descent, was born and raised in Greenwich. He had a 27-year career in finance with Chase Manhattan Bank, where he eventually became vice president.

After retirement, Toner served in the nonprofit sector and in Greenwich town government.

In 1998, Toner joined the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting in District 2, where he remained until he was named as a selectman in 2015 following the sudden death of Selectman Dave Theiss. Toner was re-elected and retired in 2019.

"We're looking forward to Sunday, and we're looking forward to celebrating John Toner, too. He's a great guy, and well-deserving of the honor," said First Selectman Fred Camillo at Thursday's flag raising.

William Maloney, Grand Marshal of the 2022 Norwalk St. Patrick's Day parade, will be a special guest in Greenwich on Sunday.

Maloney was raised in Greenwich, and was a member of the Greenwich Police Department for two years before moving to the Norwalk Police Department.

The Maloney family is tied to Greenwich through three generations. The family came to the U.S. after immigrating from Carlow, Cork and Killarney Counties in Ireland.

Maloney's father, Lawrence, once served on the Greenwich Board of Selectmen.

For road closure information for Sunday's parade, clickhere.

More parade information and updates will be posted on the Greenwich Hibernian Association website.