St. Patrick’s Day is once again upon us with its month long festivities. To help celebrate the occasion, InsiderNJ.com presents its annual and profiled list of New Jersey’s Irish American leaders and activists as a salute to the holiday and as a harbinger of long awaited springtime.

The annual tribute to the ‘Irish High Holy Days’ is an acknowledgement of accomplishments, numerous contributions and community service.

Once again, the list includes both veterans of previous compilations and quite a few newcomers, as well. Collectively, they have all demonstrated a commitment to their Irish American heritage.

The updated list is compiled to commemorate the 84th Anniversary of the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the oldest Irish American march in New Jersey (1936-present), interrupted only by WWII (1943-46).

This year’s Irish march in downtown Newark is scheduled for Friday, March 15 at 1:00pm. Grand Marshal Sean O’Neill and Deputy Grand Marshal Kathleen M. Conlon have been elected by delegates to lead the parade.

The 2019 Newark Parade is dedicated to Thomas J. Gartland (1939-2018)

Tom Barrett, compiler of the list, credits the Newark parade for its sense of tradition and staying power. His father, Thomas P. J. Barrett, a journalist and World War II veteran, was a three-time parade chairman.

The list is purely subjective.

We hope you enjoy it.

Download the Irish American List here or view it below:

Published on March 15, 2019