Danbury's Irish are happy to celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month during the month of March.
The Men's and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, along with Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation and Center members, kicked off their month-long St. Patrick's Day celebrations with a parade fundraiser at Molly Darcy's in February.
This Saturday, March 4, 2023, the group will host their annual St. Patrick's Day Ball where they will honor the Men's and Ladies' Hibernian of the Year—David Albright of New Milford, Brian Meaney of Mahopac, and Mary Tomaino of Danbury. Each of the Hibernians were voted to receive the award for displaying their motto of "faith, unity and Christian charity" and "friendship, unity, and Christian charity" in their club and in their community. Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito will present a proclamation from the City of Danbury for their dedication the mission and helping to preserve Irish culture in the greater Danbury area. Senator Julie Kushner will present a proclamation from the State of Connecticut.
The St. Patrick's Day Mass in Danbury will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Church, Main St. Danbury followede by the raising of the Irish flag at City Hall on Deer Hill Ave. On Saturday, March 11 at 9 a.m., St. Edward the Confessor Church on Brush Hill Rd. in New Fairfield will hold a St. Patrick's Day Mass. Readings will be done in Gaelic and English. The New Fairfield celebration will be followed by a procession to town hall where they will raise the Irish flag and enjoy refreshments. The Danbury Mass will be followed by the flag raising at Danbury City Hall at noon with Mayor Dean Esposito, followed by refreshments in City Hall.
The three 2023 Hibernians of the Year will lead the City of Danbury's 26th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, along with their fellow Hibernians, Pipes and Drums bands, local politicians and officials, Danbury and surrounding town's fire departments, Danbury police, and other marching units. The 26th Annual Danbury St. Patrick's Day Parade is being sponsored by Title Sponsor, UK Gourmet, Silver Sponsor Savings Bank of Danbury, and Silver Sponsor Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home. The parade steps off on Saturday, March 19, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Center and Main Street, Danbury in front of St. Peter Church. The Danbury St. Patrick's Day Parade is co-chaired this year by Kevin Hearty and Catherine Bach.
- 9 a.m. Bethel flag raising, 1 P.T. Barnum Square, Bethel followed by refreshments at the Municipal Center on School St.
- 11 a.m. - Mass at St. Peter Church, Main St. Danbury with prayers in English and Gaelic
- 12 p.m. - Irish flag raising at Danbury City Hall, Deer Hill Ave. followed by refreshments
- 10:00 a.m. on - The Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center (GDICC), 6 Lake Ave., Danbury, is serving corned beef, cabbage, Shepherd's pie, Irish soda bread, and refreshments. The GDICC has Guinness and Harp on tap as well as a wide variety of other libations. Local Irish dance schools will perform and live bands will play traditional Irish favorites.
Friday, March 17 ~ HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
Club is open from 10 a.m. - 12 a.m.
11 a.m. Mass @ St. Peter's Church, Danbury
12 p.m. Danbury Flag Raising @ City Hall
3:30 - 4:00 p.m. Gartland Dance School
5:00 - 5:30 Thorne Academy of Irish Dance
5:30 - 6:45 p.m. Fiddlesuisce
7:00 Steve O'Tree & Friends
Saturday, March 18th
Club hours 10 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Tipperary Knights Band @ 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 19thClub hours 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.Greater Danbury St. Patrick's Day ParadeStep-off @ 2:00 p.m. in front of St. Peter Church, Main St., DanburySteve O'Tree @ 2:30 p.m. at the club after the parade.Questions? Call the club at (203) 739-0010 or email DanburyIrish@gmail.com.
Photos: 2023 Men's Hibernian of the Year David Albright (left), Peter Hearty (right).
Photo credit: Wendy Mitchell