The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens persevered last year when snow came down on its St. Patrick’s Day parade in Mineola.
But the sun was out for the annual event March 6, smiling on the crowd of thousands that lined the route to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.
“The weather was on our side,” Irish American Society President Betty McLoughlin said. “The crowds were spectacular, and everybody marching looked beautiful.”
Now in its fourth year in Mineola, the parade was led by past Irish American Society President Patrick Kearney as grand marshal, assisted by Dolores Casey, Claire McKenna, Eamonn Lennon and Village of Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss.
The route started near the Nassau County courthouse and passed by the Irish Monument on Court House Drive to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, the start of the Irish rebellion against the British government in 1916.
Marchers from several groups, including the Chaminade High School pipe band and the Donny Golden School of Irish Dance, proceeded west on Old Country Road, north to Jericho Turnpike, then east to the Irish American Center at 297 Willis Ave.
The Irish American Center had a “full house” for its post-parade festivities, McLoughlin said, which included a dinner for the grand marshal and live music.
“The place was packed, and it’s wonderful to see the children coming with their parents,” said McLoughlin, who was the parade’s grand marshal when it first moved to Mineola.
The parade is one way the Irish American Society works to pass on Irish traditions and culture to younger generations, McLoughlin said.
The society will hold a remembrance of the Easter Rising on March 28 at noon with other Irish cultural groups at the Irish Monument, erected in 1979.
The Mineola-based group is hosting the annual event this year, McLoughlin said, and will host a free luncheon at the Irish American Center afterward.
Members will also travel to Manhattan next week for the St. Patrick’s Day parade there, McLoughlin said.
“March is a great season,” she said. “We’re very proud every month, but March is extremely busy here.”
Reach reporter Noah Manskar by e-mail at nmanskar@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @noahmanskar and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
