Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, our Irish community, the 2024 Springfield Parade Marshal Stephen McGirr, the Springfield Colleen Emma Feeley and her Court, and all the 2024 award winners to celebrate Irish Heritage with a morning St. Patrick’s Day Mass at Sacred Heart with Bishop William Byrne, followed by the raising of the Irish flag on the front steps of City Hall.
Mayor Sarno presented a proclamation in honor of St. Patrick’s Day before the Irish flag was raised outside City Hall. Tom Feely performed the Irish national anthem, and Philomena Hanrahan and The Colleen Court performed the American national anthem. Springfield St. Patrick’s Committee Director Kerri Sullivan emceed the event. Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick, and City Councilors Kateri Walsh, Attorney Sean Curran, Tim Allen, Lavar Click-Bruce, and Jose Delgado, as well as State Senator Adam Gomez also joined.
Also joining to proudly celebrate was the 2024 Springfield Parade Marshal Stephen McGirr; the Springfield Colleen and Court: Emma Feeley, Hannah Ailis Willetts, Bridget Mary Laviolette, Caitlin Grace Dowd, and Madelyn Johnson; the Paul G. Caron Award winner: Maureen Olds; the John and Agnes Burke Award winner: Bridget Barcomb; and the Mary B. Troy Award winner: Iron Duke Brewing. The John Boyle O’Reilly Club Irish Person of the Year George Podmore and the Irish Elk of the Year Cindy Miller were also in attendance.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank our Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for keeping our Irish heritage and traditions going strong. Irish-Americans have truly enriched our City of Springfield, our Commonwealth and Nation. Irish eyes were smiling today as we proudly raised the Irish flag and we will continue to celebrate with many more great events and the parade this weekend. I truly enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day as Mayor Domenic J. ‘O’Sarno’ with our Irish community. Again, congratulations to all the award winners, our Springfield Colleen, and her court. I am looking forward to marching once again in the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday with our Springfield Police Department.”
