Parade Marshals
50th Anniversary
St. Patrick's Day Parade in Seattle
1 pm, Sunday, March 13, 2022
2022 Grand Marshal
Enda Kenny
Former Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister)
A native of Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Enda Kenny became Ireland’s Taoiseach in 2011 just as the country was trying to recover from the economic downturn caused by the housing crisis. He stepped down as Taoiseach in 2017 after Ireland’s economic recovery was well underway. First elected to the Dáil (Irish Parliament) in 1975, he was the longest serving Dáil member when he declined to run for reelection in 2020. In 2013 he was the first serving Taoiseach to pay an official visit to Seattle. In 2020, he had agreed to serve as Grand Marshal of that year's Parade in Seattle which had to be cancelled. So, we're now delighted and honored that, with his wife Fionnuala, he has agreed to return to Seattle to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2022 parade. We wish both Kennys a hearty Céad Míle Fáilte to the Emerald City.
2022 Honorary Grand Marshal
Heather Murphy
Hollywood Film Producer Heather Murphy has been involved with Seattle’s Irish community for 40 years, serving on the IHC Board of Directors for 20 years, as chair of the Green Stripe for 25 years, and as an officer in the Friends of St. Patrick and its club President in 2013. On behalf of the IHC, she has hosted genealogists and other visitors from Ireland in her home and delivered the monthly Celtic Connection newspaper to Irish Pubs around Seattle. Even Heather’s partner Arne, son Alex, daughter Erin, granddaughter Ava and their Irish family from Scotland have joined in volunteering with Heather at Seattle’s Irish Week activities. We’re delighted to honor Heather in 2022 by having her as Honorary Grand Marshal of the Parade.
2020 Honorary Grand Marshal
Jim Cummins
Jim Cummins, a native of Co. Offaly, has lived in Kennewick with his wife Eloise for the past 44 years. He retired in 1995 as Warden at the Walla Walla Penitentiary after 25 years with the Washington State Department of Corrections. Jim helped found the Irish Immigrant Support Group in Seattle in 2001 and served as Chair for 15 years. He also served for 6 years as National Treasurer of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers around the US and still helps organize our Irish Senior Luncheons here in Seattle. Jim has made immense contributions to the Seattle’s area’s Irish community, which is why he was made Honorary Grand Marshal of the 2020 Parade. When the 2020 Parade was cancelled, we decided that Jim still deserved to be recognized, and we're doing so in 2022!
VISITING FROM GALWAY
Martina O'Connor
Deputy Mayor of Galway
A member of the Green Party, Galway City Councilor Martina O’Connor was elected Deputy Mayor by her fellow Councilors in June for a term ending June 2022. Born into a large, hardworking family in Galway, Martina has longstanding connections throughout the community. While working as a nurse and in health care promotion, she also raised a family of five children with her husband Derek. This is Martina’s first ever visit to Galway’s sister city of Seattle and she is delighted to be able to acknowledge 36 years of formal ties between our two cities. We wish her and Derek a hearty Céad Míle Fáilte to the Emerald City.