If
all you know about St. Patrick’s Day is shamrocks, leprechauns, and Lucky
Charms breakfast cereal, you might be surprised to learn there is an economic
message wrapped up in all that ádh mór
coming your way March 17.
This
year, the 42nd annual Ellen McAnelly Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Parade will
draw 1,500 participants and more than 40,000 onlookers along the downtown
Huntsville route, bringing a lot of “green” to merchants in its path!
May your pockets be heavy, and your
heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night – Irish Proverb
Luck
is an integral part of life and prosperity in the Irish tradition but the
phrase “Luck of the Irish” is an American expression and not an Irish one.
According
to Edward T. O’Donnell, an author and professor of history at Holy Cross
College, the phrase took hold during the California Gold Rush in the second
half of the 19th century when many of the most successful and famous
gold and silver miners were of Irish and American Irish descent.
There
is little doubt that at least a little bit of luck has been involved in growing
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and Huntsville’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade into one
of the city’s most popular holiday celebrations over the years.
Ellen
McAnelly moved to Huntsville in 1977 from Galway, Ireland. Wanting to introduce
authentic Irish tradition, culture, food, and hospitality to North Alabama, she
opened Huntsville’s first Irish restaurant – Finnegan’s Pub – at 3310 South Memorial
Parkway and the following year, she started what was known for many years as
the Huntsville St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The short route followed a southerly
path along the west side frontage road of Memorial Parkway, ending at
Finnegan’s.
McAnelly
died in 2009 and, shortly thereafter, the parade moved to downtown where it was
renamed in her honor.
“The
Huntsville community really lost a landmark when Finnegan’s closed in 2013,” said
Anya Douglas, president of the Irish Society of North Alabama and the parade
director. “A lot of people met their spouses there, accepted marriage
proposals, and conceived children after a night of fun at Finnegan’s.
“The
original patrons recall many special occasions and events occurring at the
original Finnegan’s Pub.”
May the road rise up to meet you;
may the wind be always at your back – Irish Blessing
“That
first year, there were 18 people in the parade and almost no audience,” said
Sonnie Hereford, one of the first and only remaining parade coordinators from
1978. “There are only 17 people in the picture taken for the newspaper that day
because one of the participants had skipped work and he was afraid if he showed
up in a picture in the paper, he would get fired!
“The funny thing about the history of the
parade is that it grew in popularity and size almost exclusively because it had
been mocked as the smallest St. Patrick’s Day Parade ever.”
The
parade took another big hit just days before the 1997 event when then-Huntsville
Mayor Loretta Spencer denied the group a permit because of a series of fender
benders in 1996 allegedly caused by drivers on the Parkway gazing down on the
parade marching along the frontage road.
At
the last minute, they received an invitation to move the parade to downtown
Madison where it had its largest participation and audience yet. For that one
year, it was called the Madison County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s
Day – Anonymous Irish
Saying
“The
parade is community inclusive even if you are not Irish,” said Douglas. “It is
free to participate and free to attend but it brings a tremendous amount of
business to the downtown area including shopping, dining, and entertainment.”
The
most anticipated parade event is the Blessing of the Flags at St. Mary of the
Visitation Catholic Church on Jefferson Street.
“When
Father Bill (William M. Kelly, S.D.S.) performs the blessing ceremony over the
Irish and American flags, it really has special meaning for the American Irish
community and leaves everyone, Irish or not, with a ‘Wow’ feeling,” said
Douglas.
Another popular attraction at the parade is the Father Trecy
Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ float.
Father Jeremiah F. Trecy moved to
Huntsville in 1860 because of health problems and established a parish here. The church was built of native stone from Monte Sano
Mountain, but construction was halted during the Civil War while the Hibernians
prepared hospital facilities and tended to the wounded on both sides of the conflict.
‘Tis better to spend money like
there’s no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there’s no money! – Anonymous
Since
it isn’t St. Patrick’s Day without some libation and food, many pubs and shops
along the parade route will be offering St. Patrick’s Day specials.
The
parade’s main sponsor Straight to Ale, Keegan’s Public House (who bought
Finnegan’s and moved it downtown), and the Jefferson Street Pub are all opening
at 6 a.m. serving an authentic Kegs & Eggs Irish Breakfast prior to the
parade, which starts at 11:30. Green Bluff’s Brewery, Pints & Pixels, and
The Marini Bar & Bistro will offer all-day live Irish music and $1 green
beer along the parade route.
While
you’re there, be sure and lift a glass in a famous Irish toast: Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A
quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold pint and
another one!
