The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Washington, D.C. was held in 1971 and traveled along Massachusetts Avenue from Dupont Circle to the statue of Robert Emmet. Since then, this annual affair has grown from what was little more than a leisurely stroll by a few hundred participants to what is now being called “The Nation’s St. Patrick’s Parade.”
In 1974, the Constitution Avenue route was established and the march became a full-scale Parade with Marching Bands, Pipe Bands, our Nation’s Military, Police, and Fire Departments as well as Floats, Novelty Groups and those marchers wearing green. Trophies are now awarded in a number of categories to participants. Traditionally, the parade is not a forum for political issues. Elected officials march, but those running for office are not allowed to use the Parade as a campaign site.
The Parade is an Irish community endeavor that was started by the Irish American Club and is now held in cooperation with the National Capital Park Service. The President of the Irish American Club maintains a place on the Board of Directors of the Parade Committee. The Parade has grown both in size and prestige. Through the work of the Parade Committee, a group of 40 or more dedicated Washingtonians, the two-and-a-half-hour spectacular event is created. Their work begins in September before the March Parade. In September invitations go out to bands and marching groups and to sponsors and floats and other groups. In January, the Committee’s work begins in earnest. The Parade’s Magazine, considered to be one of the most professional parade magazines in the nation, is formulated and articles are solicited from prominent writers reflecting the chosen theme for that year. The Committee holds six to eight fundraisers before the parade. Every one of the local pubs sponsors a parade party. These events are almost as much fun as the parade itself and are open to the public. Irish musicians, dancers, and singers get everyone in the mood for Parade Day.
Choosing the Grand Marshal is an important part of the advance planning for the Parade. The men and women chosen to lead this event must be considered carefully. In 1986, retiring Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill honored Washington by being Grand Marshal in what he called, “the last greatest honor of my Washington career.” Included in our distinguished list of Grand Marshals are Helen Hayes – the First Lady of the American Theater, and John Hume – leader of the Social Democratic and Labor Party. Also, a tradition starting with the very first parades is the Gael of the Year, an honor given to an outstanding person in the Washington DC area who has made a significant contribution to the community. Some of the past Gaels include Paul Berry – TV News co-anchor and Humanitarian, Father Eugene Riordan – Educator and Missionary, and our recently deceased Committee Member, Parade Photographer, and friend of the Irish Community, Pat “Irish Eyes” Cady. Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and truly this Parade is for everyone. It is a family day. A day when people come together to enjoy the sharing of culture, the celebration of being Irish or almost Irish and to enjoy a well-planned, well-run event that is worth the trip to Constitution Avenue to set the tone of spring.
Past Grand Marshals and Gaels
| Year | Grand Marshal | Gael | Theme | |
| 2018 | Pat Collins
| Pete Strickland
| Showcasing DC Irish Culture | |
| 2017 | Cody Keenan
| Keith Carney
| Irish in Public Service | |
| 2016 | John Garvey 2016 Parade Program | Daniel F. Sullivan 2016 Parade Awards | Remember, Reflect, Reimagine | |
| 2015 | John McInerney & Jack O’Brien 2015 Parade Program | Theresa Cullinane 2015 Parade Awards | Irish Heart in the Nation’s Capital | |
| 2014 | Msgr Sal Criscuolo 2014 Parade Program | Cecelia Farley 2014 Parade Awards | Selfless Service | |
| 2013 | Admiral Mike Mullen (Ret). 2013 Parade Program | John Joseph (JJ) Kelly 2013 Parade Awards | Service to the Stars& Stripes | |
| 2012 | Cathal Armstrong Chef & Restaurateur 2012 Parade Program | Michael F. Curtin Jr. | Feed The Soul – Nourish the Palate | |
| 2011 | Marilee Fitzgerald Defense Education Activity 2011 Parade Program | Sister Seton Cuneen | A Heritage of Education & Community Service | |
| 2010 | Frank Saul, Founder of Chevy Chase Bank, and his wife Tricia Saul 2010 Parade Program | Robert J. Hickey, Jr, Retired FBI and founder of the local chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann 2010 Parade Awards | The Irish Who Built America | |
| 2009 | Norah O’Donnell, MSNBC Chief Washington Correspondent 2009 Parade Program | Danny Coleman 2009 Parade Awards | Irish Tradition of Word and Song | |
| 2008 | Mark Touhey III, Former Chair, District of Columbia Sports and Entertainment Commission 2008 Parade Program | Annie Burns 2008 Parade Awards | A History of Strength | |
| 2007 | Nancy McKelvey, Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross 2007 Parade Program | Alice McDermott 2007 Parade Awards | Volunteers Weave Communities Together | |
| 2006 | Susan O’Malley, President, Washington Sports & Entertainment 2006 Parade Program | Walter Durkin 2006 Parade Awards | Good Sports in the Community | |
| 2005 | Paul Xavier Kelly, Former Marine Corps Commandant 2005 Parade Program | Cardinal Theodore McCarrick 2005 Parade Awards | Remembering the Sacrifices of the Greatest Generation | |
| 2004 | John Walsh, Host, America’s Most Wanted 2004 Parade Program | Barbara Harrison 2004 Parade Awards | Making a Difference | |
| 2003 | Chris McCarron, Hall of Fame Jockey 2003 Parade Magazine | Joyce & John Flynn 2003 Parade Awards | On Track to the Winners Circle | |
| 2002 | Those Who Serve, Tribute to local heroes and victims of the 9-11 tragedy 2002 Parade Program | No Gael Selected 2002 Parade Awards | Those Who Serve, Tribute to local heroes and victims of the 9-11 Tragedy | |
| 2001 | Tom Dolan, Olympic Gold Medalist 2001 Parade Program | Alice Murphy Johnson 2001 Parade Awards | 30 Years of Irish Excellence and a Celebration of Olympic Spirit | |
| 2000 | Roma Downey, Film & Television actress (Touched by an Angel) 2000 Parade Program | Frank J. Herbert | Peace and Unity in the New Millenium | |
| 1999 | Denis Mulcahy, Founder, Project Children 1999 Parade Program | John Cosgrove | Let There be Peace for Irish Children | |
| 1998 | Hal Roach, Ireland’s International Humorist 1998 Parade Program | Patrick William Cady 1998 Parade Awards | Irish American Youth. The Future of the Nation | |
| 1997 | Thomas R. Donohue, Labor Relations Organizer 1997 Parade Program | Paul L. Berry 1997 Parade Awards | Irish Workers Who Build American | |
| 1996 | Capt. Scott O’Grady, USAF, U.S. Air Force Pilot (shot down, June 1995) 1996 Parade Program | Father Eugene E. Riordan 1996 Parade Awards | Freedom Cherished | |
| 1995 | John Hume, Leader, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1995 Parade Program | Father John Adams 1995 Parade Awards | Peace-Progress-Prosperity | |
| 1994 | Mark Russell, Political Satirist 1994 Parade Magazine | Matt Hannon | Irish Wit and Wisdom | |
| 1993 | Mary Higgins Clark, America’s premier suspense writer | Carol Wheeler | Irish and Irish American Women | |
| 1992 | John J. Barry, President, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 1992 Parade Magazine | Bruce Morrison, Former U.S. Congressman, Author of “Morrison VISA” | Irish Immigration to the United States | |
| 1991 | U.S. Armed Forces, one member from each Service 1991 Parade Magazine | William (Howie) McClennan, former President of the International Association of Fire Fighters 1991 Parade Awards> | The Contribution of the Irish to the United States Military | |
| 1990 | John “The Diesel” Riggins, Running Back, NFL Washington Redskins 1990 Parade Magazine | Susan Kelly Long, Benefactor of Irish-American Community and Revitalizer of Irish-American Club 1990 Parade Awards | Irish Contribution in Sports | |
| 1989 | John J. Sweeney, President, Service Employees International 1989 Parade Magazine | Manus “Jack” Fish, Retired Regional Director, National Capital and Revitalizer of Irish-American Club 1989 Parade Awards | Irish Building in America | |
| 1988 | Carmencita Hederman, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ireland 1988 Parade Magazine | Mickey Brennan, President, D.C. Friends of Ireland and Labor Leader 1988 Parade Awards | Salute to Dublin | |
| 1987 | Helen Hayes, First Lady of American Theater 1987 Parade Magazine | Brendan Sheridan, Artist and Musician 1987 Parade Awards | Irish and The Arts | |
| 1986 | Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill, JR. Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives 1986 Parade Magazine | Monsignor R. Joseph Dooley, Chaplain, Metropolitan Police and Fire Departments 1986 Parade Awards | Irish Contribution in America | |
| 1985 | Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder, Special Olympics Program 1985 Parade Magazine | Jane Callahan Gude, Chairperson, “Ireland’s Children” | Ireland Her History through her Music and Culture | |
| 1984 | Cyril Count McCormack, Son of Irish Tenor, John McCormack 1984 Parade Magazine | Dr. Coilin Owens, Founder Washington Chapter, Gaelic League; Professor, George Mason University | Ireland – America: Myth, Legend, Reality | |
| 1983 | Frances T. Shea, Read Admiral USN 1983 Parade Magazine | CDR James Ruland, Irish American activities, Founder Brendan Cup Committee | Ireland America’s Foundation | |
| 1982 | Rev. Gilbert V. Harke OP, Founder, Speech and Drama Department Catholic University 1982 Parade Magazine | Cornelius (Connie) J. Coakley, Founder, Seton Centers, Irish-American activities | Heritage Remembered | |
| 1981 | Samuel W. Bogley, Lt. Governor of the State of Maryland | Charles T. Lucey, Editor, Author of two books on Ireland | America’s Freedom – Ireland’s Dream | |
| 1980 |
James P. Gleason County Executive, Montgomery County, MD | Ireland through the Ages | Harry & Margaret Schrecengost, Founders, “Blackthorn Stick”, Irish Dance Group | |
| 1979 | Walter F. McArdle, President, McArdle Printing Company 1979 Parade Magazine | Margaret Coakley, a founder of the Irish American Club | Ireland and America – Lasting Friends | |
| 1978 | Maurice Cullinane, Former chief, Metropolitan Police Department 1978 Parade Magazine | Peggy Hannon O’Neill, Founder of the first Irish Dance School in Washington | America First – Ireland Forever | |
| 1977 | George Meany, President, AFL-CIO | Sean Coakley, Past President Irish American Club | Little bit of Heaven in 1977 | |
| 1976 | Patrick J. Hayes, Director Washington Performing Arts Society | No Gael Selected | ||
| 1975 | William T. Hannan, Irish community activities | Charles Carey & John A.K. Donovan, founders of the Potomac Valley Irish WolfHound Club | ||
| 1974 | William T. Hannan, Chairman, Bishop’s Relief Fund |
