Parade Information |
The meeting scheduled for April 23rd has been moved to April 30th at the Kenilworth Veterans Center, 7:30 pm. Saturday, March 10, 2018 The 2018 Parade will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018
1:00 PM Sharp The Parade begins with the Marching units gathered on Morris Avenue and along Commerce and Jeanette Avenues. The parade route proceeds east along Morris Avenue to a turn at the Main Reviewing Stand at Stuyvesant Ave. and ends at Roosevelt Avenue. The Midway Reviewing Stand at Morris and Caldwell Avenues has parade announcers with details of all of the participants, history and other information. It's a great place to watch the parade! Please click here for the 2018 Line of March. |
Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade2018 General ChairwomanKathleen M. Holmes Kathleen Marie Matthews was born to Patrick J. Matthews of Shercock, County Cavan and Grace (nee Sheridan) Matthews McDermott of Glen Cross (Rathmullan) County Donegal. Kathleen’s Step-father, John “Sean" McDermott was born in Cavan Town, Co. Cavan. Kathleen is the fourth of five children, Eileen, Patrick, Joseph and Thomas-Owen. She also and has three step-siblings, Sean, Kevin & Mary. She is a life-long resident of Union, with several family members living within blocks of each other. Her love of family, heritage, culture and humor were definitely founded in moments when the whole family got together for “seisiun”. Kathleen married John J. Holmes in October, 1991. John is also a first generation, Irish-American like herself. John’s father, James Holmes was born in Ballymachahola, County Mayo and his mother, Margaret (nee Fahy) was born in New Quay, the Burren, County Clare. Kathleen and John have three sons, James Patrick, Damian John and Rory Matthew who are their greatest source of pride. They have followed in their parents footsteps and are all active members of the Parade Committee. Kathleen is a graduate of Katherine Gibbs School of Montclair. She worked as a legal assistant for many years in New York and Newark before leaving to raise her boys. While at home with the boys, Kathleen attended real estate school and obtained her New Jersey State License to sell residential real estate. She continues to hold her license with Coldwell Banker. Currently, Kathleen works for the Township of Union in the Clerk’s Office where she was recently promoted to the Assistant Municipal Clerk of the Township. She attended Rutgers Center for Continued Government Services and obtained her Registered Municipal Clerk’s Certification in October 2012. She is a very active resident in the Township of Union. She was named General Chairman of the Township of Union’s Bicentennial Parade in 2008. She remains active on several charitable committees, including one of her favorites, the Taste of Union. Kathleen has been very involved with the Union County St. Patrick’s day Parade Committee for many years holding various positions including Corresponding Secretary and Vice Chairperson, and she served as the 2011 Adjutant. Kathleen is a very proud member of the Irish American Society, John F. Cryan Association, the Giblin Association, the Joseph Nugent, Sr. Association, the Daughters of Ireland and the Columbiettes of Union. She is a parishioner at Holy Spirit Church where she taught CCD for several years. _________________________________________________________The 2018 Union County St. Patrick's Day Paradeis dedicated toSt. Patrick and all of the Saints of Ireland_________________________________________________________ |
Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade
2018 Grand MarshalJohn McPartlan |
John McPartlan was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn in 1958. He is the son of John and Sally Ann McPartlan, who had four children – John, Mary Ann, Terry and Dennis. John traces his roots through his father (John McPartlan, Sr.) who was born in County Leitrim and came to the United States in 1947. John’s mother Sally Ann O’Connor was born in Brooklyn, the daughter of William and Mary (Sheridan) O’Connor, each born and raised from either side of Balinrobe in County Mayo who met here in New York and married. John attended St. Patrick’s grammar school and Bishop Ford High School in New York. In 1980, John graduated from St. John’s University. Also, in 1980 John moved to Bayonne, NJ where he lived until 1995. After moving to Scotch Plains, John and his family became parishioners of St. Helen’s Church in Westfield, NJ. John worked for Verizon Communications for 20 years in the areas of Customer Relations, Government Affairs and Public Communications. Along with his career at Verizon Communications, John worked in the restaurant business in a small Brooklyn neighborhood pub called Pipin’s. In 1991, he purchased Pipin’s and continued as proprietor until 2004. In 2001, John expanded his restaurant business by purchasing and building Molly Maguire’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Clark, NJ, which opened just in time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in March 2002. To give his customers a truly authentic Irish pub and restaurant experience, John imported all the furniture and “bric a brac” from Ireland. Over the years, Molly’s has hosted a number of Irish bands and musicians, including an annual visit from the infamous “Wolfe Tones” all the way from Ireland. Molly’s has become one of the best central gathering spots for a bit of “good craic”, a proper pint, great music and fun for the Irish-American community in Union County. Many Irish-American organizations have their regular meetings there, including the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Irish Business Organization, The Daughters of Ireland and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. John also organizes and hosts an annual golf outing benefitting The Union County St. Patrick’s Day parade. In addition Molly’s has received numerous recognitions, such as being named the Irish Business Association’s 2009 recipient of their Business of the Year” award and the winner of the Irish Echo’s Nationwide Hospitality 50 “2014 Irish Pub of the Year” award. Molly’s over the years has provided a tremendous amount of support to all the Irish-American organizations and worthy, local not for profit charities, as well as many town sporting teams and school activities. John is a member and promoter of numerous organizations in Union County, including the Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Union County Irish Business Organization, and the Center for Hope Hospice and the New Jersey Coalition of Autism Awareness. Through his numerous efforts, John promotes Irish culture and heritage in Union County. In 2007 he was proud to be honored as the “Irishman of the Year “by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Union County. John is married to his loving wife, Karen, and resides in Scotch Plains. He also relishes spending time with his son Jeffrey, his daughter Christie, his daughter in law Stacey and his son in law Kevin – usually at NY Giant tailgates. He is very proud of his family and Irish heritage and enjoys traveling throughout Ireland, especially if it involves playing golf. |
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