Grand Marshal Announced For Stamford St. Patrick's Day Parade

STAMFORD, CT — Last week, the Irish American Cultural Society of Stamford (IACSOS) selected its grand marshal for the 30th annual Stamford St. Patrick's Day Parade, scheduled for March 1, 2025.

The grand marshal will be Bridget "Bridie" Barron. For 36 years, Barron and her husband Mike owned and operated Burns Tavern in Stamford, while also owning Hamilton Liquors for over a decade. A mainstay in the community, Burns Tavern is more than just a business - it’s a gathering place where many Irish newcomers to Stamford have found friendship, support and community.

Born in Ireland, County Longford in 1935, Barron emigrated to the United States in 1955 at the age of 20, traveling on the Ocean Liner Franconia.

After a stay in Brooklyn, Barron came to New Canaan where she met her future husband, Michael J. Barron. In 1959, the couple married and settled in Stamford.

Together, the couple raised six children and have 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. As a devoted mother, Barron was deeply involved in her children’s activities, participating actively in the Stamford school system, St. Gabriel’s Church, local Irish festivals and various sporting events. She also served as the manager and coach for Miss Softball America and Young Timers Basketball.

Barron was also a proud and active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians where she contributed to fostering Irish culture and community. Every St. Patrick’s Day, Barron and her children visited local nursing homes, bringing joy to residents by playing Irish music and performing traditional dances.

"The Stamford St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee extends its heartfelt congratulations to Bridie on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to her leading the parade with Irish pride and enthusiasm," IACSOS said in a news release.

Also last week, the IACSOS announced that as part of the 2025 parade, they will be honoring Future 5, a Stamford mentoring group that has been supporting students from diverse backgrounds for nearly 15 years.

The Future 5 office in downtown Stamford serves as a space where students spend time in a positive environment after school to build dreams and share camaraderie with allies on their way to achieving their potential. Many students come from newly arrived families suffering financial hardship and plan to be the first generation to attend college.

For more information about the St. Patrick's Day Parade and to stay updated on upcoming events, click here. You can also follow along on social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Editor’s note: This post has been edited to reflect that the correct name of the grand marshal is Bridget "Bridie" Barron. A previous version used the name Bridget "Bridie" Quinn, her maiden name.