Queens Parade to March Again

By Georgina Brennan

THE fifth annual Queens St. Patrick’s parade is set for Sunday, March 7, at 12:30pm in Sunnyside/Woodside. This year two of the Irish community’s most prominent leaders are being honored for their participation in Irish events in New York. 

Frank Durkan from Bohola, Co. Mayo, is a trial lawyer and partner in the law firm O’Dwyer and Bernstien. A prominent leader and civil rights activist in the Irish community, he gained international headlines in his successful defense of George Harrison in 1982 and defeated Great Britain’s extradition request of Desmond Mackin in 1981. 

A leading member of the Co. Mayo society and the GAA, he also serves as chairman of Americans for a New Irish Agenda. 

The other honoree, Siobhan Kyne, a parent coordinator with the NYC Board of Education, is a respected leader in the Irish community and last year was honored by the Astoria Gaels football club. Currently she is involved with Celts Who Care where she has organized various Irish events for holidays in New York.

This year’s parade is also highlighting Irish women’s leadership in the peace process and in political life of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Women’s Initiative’s New York-based founder and president

Maureen Murray has arranged for representatives to travel from Northern Ireland, including Bronagh Hinds, director of NIWI Northern Ireland.

Unlike the main New York City parade up Fifth Avenue on March 17, the Queens parade allows groups to march under their own banner, not just county banners.

First held in 2000, the parade allows gays and lesbians to take part under their own banners. While organizers of the New York City parade have always said everyone is welcome to march up Fifth Avenue, they don’t allow a banner for gays and lesbians. 

“Unique among Irish gatherings in the nation, ours is open and welcoming to all who wish to share in the spirit of the day. We go out of our way to welcome the unwelcome,” said Brendan Fay, one of the parade’s founders and organizers.

“More than a parade, we have become a unique expression and exploration of what it means to be Irish in New York City at the beginning of the 21st century. 

“ We are delighted to have so many diverse contingents, including Korean, Caribbean, Latino, and Native American. The participation of the Mexican community highlights the historical and contemporary links between our countries from the historic ‘San Patricios’ to Che’s Irish grandmother,” he added. 

Chris Cooper at New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office said though the mayor has marched in the parade in past years, his schedule isn’t firmed up for this year. “We don’t know what he will be doing that day until closer to the time,” Cooper told the Irish Voice by phone on Monday.