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Writer's pictureMegan Roche

The Luck of the Irish

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Seeing as my name is Megan Anne, you can probably guess that I've got some Irish blood in me. You'd be right. I am 50% Irish (thanks Dad) and proud of it! March 17th is one of my favorite days of the entire year.


Back when I lived in New Jersey, one of my favorite places to be on Saint Patrick's Day was the NYC Saint Patrick's Day Parade. I love listening to the bagpipes and drums and the parade environment is always filled with so much Irish pride.


Heading to New York City for the 2016 Saint Patrick's Day Parade


In 2009, I was a freshman at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. One of the perks of the school was that anyone who was a current student had the ability to attend any of the shows in the Arts Center free of charge. In January of 2010, I was super excited to get a ticket to see the Band of the Irish Guards.


I was so excited to watch an actual guard band perform. I dragged my friend Sarah with me to the show and we loved it. The band was excellent and they even performed a few American traditional songs as well. What I loved most about it was that before each song, a member of the band talked about when the march is used, the history behind the composer, and historical meaning to the song.


Since I was away at college, I did not get a chance to attend the 2010 New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade. However, being able to watch the Band of the Irish Guards perform was just as good as being there along the parade route.


My dad has worked for the same company since he was in his teens. He's worked his way up from a part time mechanic to the superintendent of maintenance. Being that he's worked there all this time, he has some really great friends. Many of his friends from work volunteer to work at the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in New York City. One of them always works at the reviewing stand.


New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, 2018


Sitting at the reviewing stand is the best experience. I love how the area is closed off to anyone without a ticket. The reviewing stand sprawls the blocks of Central Park and offers plenty of options to enjoy the parade. It seems to be colder and colder every year when I attend the parade, but that doesn't stop my enjoyment each year.


One of my favorite Irish proverbs is the following:


"May the dreams you hold dearest be those which come true and the kindness you spread keep returning to you"


I am a big dreamer and I have nothing but plans to reach for the stars. I love writing down inspiring quotes and saving them for days when I don't think I can do it anymore. I am also a big believer that the kindness you put into the world comes back to you in spades. I am always trying to do all I can to make someones day better.


In 2019, I got the opportunity to interview the Grand Marshal of the Morristown, New Jersey Saint Patrick's Day parade, Father Paddy O'Donovan. He was chosen as the Grand Marshal by the board of directors for the parade. Father O'Donovan was the Grand Marshal for the 50th Annual Morris County Saint Patrick's Day Parade. What an honor it was to talk with him at the kickoff to the parade.


Father Paddy O'Donovan and I, February 2019


I really don't know what it is about Saint Patrick's Day. There is just something about the day that makes me insanely proud to be Irish. I love being in the environment of the parade, where the Irish flags are waving in the wind. I love to see people celebrate the heritage of their people.


Today especially, Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!


Signing off,


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