• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Rockland County Ancient Order of Hibernians

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Home
  • Calendar
    • View Calendar
    • Submit Event to Calendar
  • About the AOH
    • Benefits of Membership
    • History of The Ancient Order of Hibernians
    • History of the Rockland County AOH, To Begin at the Beginning……
  • 2020 Rockland County Emerald Ball
  • St. Patrick’s Day Parade
    • 58th Annual Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
    • Parade Sponsors
    • Past Grand Marshals of the Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
  • Contact Us
  • View Purchases

Main Content

Special Announcement

Statement from the Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee

February 17, 2021

It is with profound sadness that the Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee announces the decision to postpone the 58th Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade to now be held on March 20, 2022 in light of current restrictions on social gatherings.

The decision to go a second year without our St. Patrick’s day parade was not easy. It means another year’s delay in celebrating our honorees, who are so deserving of public recognition for their contributions to our community. Sadly, this year would have been a time to remember the many people we have been lost to the insidious disease of the pandemic, including Rich Lenihan. Rich, a longtime member of AOH Division 3 in Pearl River, was to have been an Aide to the Grand Marshal in 2020, but never had the opportunity to march.  We have lost many people in our community, and many with a particularly strong connection to this Parade.  In their memory, we dedicate ourselves to “march again,” but must now take every precaution not to lose others.

We also realize that many of our already struggling small businesses could use the economic boost that hosting the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the State of New York could bring them. We also know that the Parade day is one of gatherings of family and friends, and after this prolonged period of social isolation, we all feel the basic human need to reconnect. 

We would like to take an opportunity to address one issue that was frequently raised last year as many asked, “why don’t you postpone?” Last year, many other parade committees, understandably thinking with their hearts, had stated they would postpone their parades only to cancel later when faced with the realities of the virus and logistics.  Planning a parade is a multi-month process; the Parade committee begins planning the next year’s Parade the week after the current one.  To plan effectively, we need a feasible date on which we could hold a parade; today we simply have no date that we could in good faith and confidence plan around.   

We are all disappointed that our Parade and others are canceled this year.  However, we should not let the numerous contributions made by countless Irish men and women and their descendants go unrecognized.  We remind our state and local officials, the media, and particularly our schools that March is “Irish American Heritage Month,” proclaimed by U.S. Presidents of both parties since 1991.  Our Presidents have called on “all Americans to celebrate the achievements of Irish Americans and their contributions to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.” Since the Irish American community has been asked to forego their traditional celebrations out of respect for the general welfare, we respectfully ask our elected and educational leaders to step up and answer the presidents call this year and ensure that the contributions of Commodore Barry, Mother Jones, and particularly all the Irish Americans who wear there green every day on their graves in service to America do not go unrecognized.

Support those Who Have Supported Us

We are all trying to adjust to the new reality of life with the Coronavirus COVID-19. While we have all been impacted, few have been hit harder then our friends and neighbors in the service industry. These small businesses have always been there for us and have supported every worthy cause (try and get a donation from one of the on-line retailers). They are the backbone of our community. We owe them our support to get through this trying time. The restaurants below are offering takeout menus with curbside pickup and some with delivery. If you can, take a break from cabin fever and give yourself and the family a treat while supporting a small business; the food will taste great and you will help our community. We realized that the situation is changing daily and have provided the Facebook links where available so you can check the current menus and hours of operation.

Note: We would also like to acknowledge the support of  some service businesses who have supported us but are currently not open. Noonan’s, Murty’s and Southbound are using the time to perform renovations so they can come back better than ever; when they reopen we will add them here. Louie’s on the Avenue has indicated they have suspended operations, we look forward to their return. Characters Bar & Grill is also currently closed, but for the best of reasons; they are currently providing catering to the staff of a new Coronavirus testing facility, well done!

Support Those Who Supported Us (Directory)

Events

2020 Parade Honorees

2020 Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal Frank McDonagh

Frank McDonagh is the proud son of Frank McDonagh, Sr. of Claremorris, County Mayo and Catherine Healy McDonagh of New York.  Frank’s family history seemed to predestine him to become an active member … [Read More...] about 2020 Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal Frank McDonagh

2020 Rockland Aide to the Grand Marshal NYC Lillian Murphy

A native of Queens, N.Y. Lillian grew up in the Irish dominated neighborhood of Woodside, Queens. Her parents, Tom Cunnane hails from Kilgarrif, Knock, Co. Mayo and her mother Mary Cunnane (Nee: … [Read More...] about 2020 Rockland Aide to the Grand Marshal NYC Lillian Murphy

Sergeant Deirdre Smith-Withers

2020 Parade Commander Sergeant Deirdre Smith-Withers

Twenty-seven years ago Sergeant Deirdre Smith-Withers entered a career in law enforcement, the roots of which have spanned generations and an ocean. For her, it was a calling rather than a career … [Read More...] about 2020 Parade Commander Sergeant Deirdre Smith-Withers

2020 Hibernian Businessman of the Year Edmund Hartnett

Edmund Hartnett served 27 years with the NYPD, retiring at the rank of Deputy Chief. He served in numerous patrol commands as well as the Applicant Processing Division and Bronx and Manhattan South … [Read More...] about 2020 Hibernian Businessman of the Year Edmund Hartnett

2020 Rockland County Hibernian of the Year Fergal Hayes

Fergal is the youngest child of Joseph and Maureen Hayes (nee O’Connell) and together with his siblings Miriam McCormick (nee Hayes), and his brother Adrian Hayes (of Pearl River) spent his youthful … [Read More...] about 2020 Rockland County Hibernian of the Year Fergal Hayes

News

With Deep Sadness We Announce the Passing of 2020 Aide to Grand Marshal Rich Lenihan

It is with profound sadness that we learn of the passing of Rich Lenihan. Rich was admitted to Nyack Hospital several days ago suffering from COVID-19. He fought a heroic fight against the virus and appeared to have won, but strength failed before … [Read More...] about With Deep Sadness We Announce the Passing of 2020 Aide to Grand Marshal Rich Lenihan

Rockland Passes Resolution on Offensive Merchandise Targeting Irish Americans

Special Thanks to Legislators Tyer, Carey, and McGowan condemning the promotion of prejudice targeting Irish Americans for profit.  Currently, there is a position condemning Amazon's sale of a "F*ck St. Patrick's Day Shirt … [Read More...] about Rockland Passes Resolution on Offensive Merchandise Targeting Irish Americans

Primary Sidebar

Search Site

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the  Rockland County Board is March 22nd at 8:00 PM via ZOOM conferencing.  Please contact your Division President for details.

Donate to Support Your Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Rockland Divisions

  • AOH Division 1 Stony Point
  • AOH Division 3 Pearl River
  • AOH Division 4 Suffern
  • AOH Division 5 Blauvelt

National

  • AOH National Board
  • AOH NY State Board
  • Ladies National AOH
  • The Irish National Caucus

Other

  • Pearl River Chamber of Commerce
  • Rockland GAA
  • Rockland Irish Arts Center
  • The Irish Echo On-Line

Copyright © 2021 · Rockland County AOH ·