From green hats to Irish flags, bright-faced children to obedient dogs sporting shamrock headbands, this year’s 38th Annual Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade had it all.
Marching through Park Slope, starting at 15th Street and Prospect Park West, parade attendees rejoiced among the likes of Fort Hamilton High School’s ROTC, the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the O’Malley Irish Dance Academy, the 5th Brooklyn Scouts, and more, on Sunday, March 17.
Led by Grand Marshal Robert O’Hare, marchers adorned in colorful—mostly green—clothing and accessories enjoyed the festivities of the luckily not-too-crisp, mid-March day.
“We were very lucky to get good weather for the day,” commented Kathleen McDonagh, chair of the Irish American Brooklyn Parade Committee. “Everything went great.”
The hometown parade offered more than just a march. Bishop Joseph Sullivan spoke during the pre-parade mass at Holy Name Church, in memory of 29 Irish and 341 Brooklyn Korean War veterans.
McDonagh also added, “Every year since 9/11 before we step off, we have a ceremony for the heroes of 9/11. No other parade does that every year.
This year’s parade focused on The Gathering-Ireland 2013 and the Year of Faith.
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