New York City Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

The origin of the parade predates the Declaration of Independence.

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New York City Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day — The St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

3/17/2025Updated: 3/18/2025

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NEW YORK—The Epoch Times went to the NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17 to ask crowdgoers about their holiday.

Sisters Collette and Angela Houston visited the city for the parade, traveling from the county of Donegal in Ireland. The sisters said coming to the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York is something they’ve always wanted to do.

One thing they wanted Americans to know about Ireland is that they have amazing hospitality.

“Anytime you go into an Irish house, you'll be offered a cup of tea and something to eat when you’ve just eaten a whole meal,” Collette Houston said. “The Irish are very friendly.”

Collette Houston (R) and Angela Houston attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) — Collette Houston (R) and Angela Houston attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

Bill Wilson and his daughter Kara said they celebrated St. Patrick’s Day all weekend and traveled from Collingswood, New Jersey, to see the parade. Wilson feels particularly connected to Irish culture through his heritage, as his father’s lineage was all Irish.

“I just love the pipes, and the costumes, and the music,” he said.

After the parade, he said they would be going to a pub on the East Side for drinks.

Bill and Kara Wilson attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) — Bill and Kara Wilson attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

Richard and Claire Garvey came from Ireland with their three boys to New York for the first time to see the parade. The family, along with Richard Garvey’s sister and mother, were excited to see his niece in the parade.

They felt that New York has a “big Irish connection.” The family’s connection to the city is Richard Garvey’s first cousin, who serves in the New York Police Department.

The Epoch Times asked what the family would like to share with New Yorkers about Ireland, and Claire Garvey said, “Everything, they should all come to Ireland. It’s so green and so beautiful, and the people are fabulous.”

Richard and Claire Garvey with their three sons attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) — Richard and Claire Garvey with their three sons attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

Richard and Claire Garvey said they would be “drowning our shamrock” after the parade. It’s an Irish saying for going to the bar and drinking, Claire Garvey explained.

Joe Fetko, his sister, and a friend came from New Jersey to see the parade. “I always come to the parades every year, and I enjoy watching it,” Fetko said.

His sister told us that Fetko loves taking photos at the parade, which he does with his blue camera.

Joe Fetko with his sister and friend attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) — Joe Fetko with his sister and friend attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

Vincent and Suzane Swan visited with their daughter from the capital of Ireland, Dublin. They went to see St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan on Sunday, something they were really looking forward to.

Vincent Swan told The Epoch Times what he’d share about Ireland: “It’s a fun, safe place to go and visit, and the parade in Dublin is probably the best in the world.”

Vincent and Suzane Swan with their daughter attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) — Vincent and Suzane Swan with their daughter attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17, 2025. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

This year’s Grand Marshal was Micahel Benn, a longtime chairman of the Queens County St. Patrick’s Parade Committee in Rockaway and originally from Limerick in Ireland. The community leader is credited with playing a major role in rebuilding Rockaway after Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Major figures at the parade included New York Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James.

The origin of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade predates the Declaration of Independence. The first parade took place in 1762, by Irish soldiers serving in the British Army.