| Since
the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1858, the City of Atlanta has
supported the Hibernian Benevolent Society St. Patrick's Day Parade in memory of
the heroic efforts of Father Thomas O’Reilly and of the Hibernian Rifles. Oakland
Cemetery contains a plot dedicated to the Hibernian Rifles in gratitude for
their service to the city. HBSA members can still be buried there today.
The
Atlanta Constitution, in 1893, told of an eventful St. Patrick’s Day parade
with a full-page account of the festivities.
The article read as follows: "Three hundred Irishmen from the
Hibernian Benevolent Society along with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the
Catholic Knights of Atlanta, marching to the music of the Fourth Artillery band
filed into the Catholic Church for Mass, at which Father Clifford preached on
the life and work of St. Patrick. Upon the conclusion of Mass, the societies
paraded to the Opera House on Marietta Street to celebrate."
Over the years the parade has grown. It is now
produced by Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade, Inc. ("The Parade Committee") which
is made up of representatives of the various Irish groups that are an integral
part of Atlanta's Irish community. A member of the Hibernian Benevolent Society
traditionally serves as President and Chairman. Today members of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians (AOH), Clan Na NGael, Fire Emerald Society of Metro Atlanta
(FESMA), the Irish Information Center and the Metro Atlanta Police Emerald
Society (MAPES) are all active members and participants.
In 1999 Monsignor E.J. Dillon approached the current
HBSA President and Parade Chairman Matt Naughton and suggested that a larger
parade with more participation might be had if a "coalition" of Irish
groups could be formed to plan and implement the parade. This was the beginning
of the "Parade Committee".
In 2000 the first joint parade was held in Buckhead.
Mary Harney, Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Enterprise, Trade
and Employment was the Grand Marshall. It was quite a successful parade.
The year 2001 found "The Committee" redefining
itself and expanding. The 2001 Parade was the largest and longest parade in
recent history. There were 150 units, approximately 20 floats, five pipe
bands, seven marching bands, five dance schools and units from as far away
as South Florida and New York. All of the constituent groups contributed
significantly. Actor/Author Malachi McCourt and Irish Tenor John McDermott
jointly served as Grand Marshalls. Special guests from Ireland included
Éamon Ó Cuiv, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food
and Rural Development and Adrian McDaid, Deputy Consul General of Ireland.
Crowds were estimated at 25,000.
In 2001 Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade Inc. was
incorporated. Among the goals of the group are the education of the general
public about the significant contribution made by the Irish to Atlanta, the
South and the United States. Floats were donated to a number of non-profit
organizations, including the Lions Club, the Ulster Project and others. The
parade was expanded to include groups such as "Atlanta Young Singers of
Callanwolde" and numerous other groups not traditionally Irish. Attention
has been focused on immigrant people in general, in addition to the Irish.
We are working with the Atlanta History Center to try to develop an
educational exhibit detailing the place of the immigrant Irish in Atlanta's
growth and development.
2002 saw a greatly expanded parade with over 200
units and the largest crowds ever. Grand Marshals from New York represented
the NY Police Department, NY Fire Department and NYNJ Port Authority. These
honored guests received a welcome they will never forget. As one Police
Chief put it, "Now we know what you mean by Southern Hospitality!" Atlanta
St. Patrick's Parade is now the largest parade in Atlanta.
The year 2004 will see the beginning of a
scholarship program which will award a cash scholarship to the winners of an
essay contest. This program is still being implemented. Contributions to
participating high school band booster clubs and bagpipe bands is
expanding.
Participation in the parade is not just an
"Irish thing". All groups are encouraged to participate as long as their
unit is appropriate for a "family" event. The emphasis is on children,
schools and immigrants. |
History
