INSIDERNJ’s annual tribute to St. Patrick’s Day and our list of Irish American leaders is our way of acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of New Jersey’s Irish Americans.

Once again, the list includes dozens of newcomers and veterans alike with profiles of those who take pride in their Irish American heritage.

The age-old motto of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day parade, which dates to 1936, is “Keep the Tradition Alive.”

This year, considering the topical issues of immigration and constitutional rights, we offer a salute to the son of Irish immigrants, the late United States Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., with a “Tip of the Top Hat.”

Justice Brennan was a strong advocate of individual freedoms and the principles of equality and justice. He was one of America’s most influential jurists. While paying homage to Justice Brennan, we also acknowledge one of the individuals on this year’s list, none other than Guy Sterling, the retired, award-winning, old-school reporter for the (no longer a print edition) Star-Ledger newspaper.

Tom Barrett, compiler of the list, would like our readers to know it is purely subjective. We hope you enjoy it.

Download Insider NJ’s 2025 Irish American Publication or view it below: