To paraphrase Irish poet Brendan Behan, the most important things to do in the world are get something to eat, something to drink, and attend the 26th annual Bucks County St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year.
An “unprecedented” amount of people did just that Saturday morning as a gleaming sun bathed the Irish sea of green spanning New Falls Road from Falls to Bristol townships. The parade was a procession of Celtic pride and culture.
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String bands, pipe bands, marching bands, Irish dancers, local law enforcement and emergency responders, veterans, local businesses, charitable organizations and even St. Patrick were a part of over 2,000 marchers taking part in the parade.
State Senator Chuck Mcilhinney was the grand marshal of the parade. His grandfather, John J. Mcilhinney, helped organize the first procession.
“I don’t think my grandfather ever imagined his grandson being the grand marshal of the parade so this is truly an honor for me to come here from Central Bucks where we can all celebrate culture, family and heritage,” the state senator said.
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The power of his statement rang true as friends and families gathered along the parade route to celebrate a gift of a day with the weather being so beautiful.
This year’s parade theme based on the ballad “God Save Ireland,” which commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the death of T.D. Sullivan, the song’s lyricist. The song later became the unofficial anthem of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, parade officials said.
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There was no need for saving Saturday. The thousands of parade goers taking part also in highlighted the spirit of the Irish with eyes smiling from one end of the 2.1 mile processional to the other.
President of the Parade Committee Connor Galloway watched from the grand stand during a karate demonstration by Levittown Martial Arts. He looked out and said, “today’s turnout was unprecedented,” his Irish eyes beamed with pride.
