N.I. Leaders May Head St. Pat’s Parades

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Irish Voice News

N.I. Leaders May Head St. Pat’s Parades

November 15, 2007

By April Drew

After it was first suggested that Paisley and McGuinness lead next year’s New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade to symbolize “a new era of hope and Irish America’s approval” by Irish Voice publisher Niall O’Dowd on the Brian Lehrer radio show on NPR on Wednesday, November 7, several parade committees jumped on the back of the idea and have now put motions in progress to extend such invites.

O’Dowd suggested that inviting both McGuinness and Paisley to be joint grand marshals of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world would show that Ireland and Irish America are serious about peace in the North. O’Dowd also said the move could be seen as a beacon of hope for conflict resolution worldwide.

New York Parade Committee Chairman John Dunleavy, who refuses to allow gay and lesbian organizations to march under their own banners, was not impressed with O’Dowd’s suggestion, which was lauded in an editorial in the New York Daily News on Thursday, November 8.

Dunleavy told the Associated Press that it would be “inappropriate to put someone with a history of virulent anti-Catholicism (Paisley) at the head of a parade honoring a Catholic saint.”

He did, however, offer an alternative suggestion. “If Ian Paisley wants to come out and march in the parade, he’s welcome to do so. But as a grand marshal? That’s a totally different matter,” he said.

However, Dublin City Chamber of Commerce President Ronan King was so impressed with the suggestion that he brought it back to the CEO of the Dublin parade, Donal Shiels, and the idea of both Paisley and McGuinness leading Dublin’s march was warmly received.

“People in Ireland are recognizing and appreciating all the good work being done in the North,” explained King, who went on to say that the importance of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations is now beyond the traditional element, and having Paisley and McGuinness head the parade down O’Connell Street on March 17 would most definitely show a sign of the times.

The Rockaway Parade in Queens, headed by Mike Benn, also expressed an interest in inviting both leaders to attend their St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will be held on March 1 next year.

“Our parade committee has already extended an invitation to Minister McGuinness to be our Gael of the Year at our upcoming parade in Rockaway Beach,” said Benn, who hails from Co. Limerick.

Benn thoroughly agrees with the sentiment that both men be brought over and honored for their commitment to the Irish peace process.

“We are impressed with the way the peace process is going in Ireland and this is our way of saying thank you for what they have done through the years,” said Benn.

It has also emerged that parade organizers in Atlanta may also extend an invite to both Northern Ireland ministers.

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