By Paddy McCarthy
What a great day it was on Saint Patrick’s Day on Tuesday. The weather could not have been any better as it turnef out to be a beautiful day for every one that marched up Fifth Avenue and also for all the people that lined up on both sides of the Parade watching all the marchers and counties, along with the wonderful bands and performers, march up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street all the way up to 79th Street. The turnout for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was astronomical and you could see all the smiling faces waving their Irish flags all the way up the marching route and it was just beautiful to see and hear all the cheering all the way up the avenue.
Now here is the best part of my out and about and that is that I walked with the County Cork BP&P Association and believe me, I was so proud to walk with all those fabulous members of the Cork community, their friends and families.
The 2026 New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade started with some great and wonderful guests as It was also nice to see the NYPD and US Mounted Police Military Escort and “The Fighting 69th” Regiment of New York leading the Parade. They were followed by 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry commanders, color guard and their guests. They were followed by the Grand Marshal Robert McCann and his Aides, along with the Police Department Marching Band and the Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. Next was the City Council and public officials from the City of New York. The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York. They were then followed by the marching counties, schools and organizations that were beautiful to watch and they all lined up in their selected positions.
Now I want to introduce you to the great Haydn O’Shea who has been named as the 2026 Greenwich St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal. Haydn was be installed as Grand Marshal of the 50th annual Greenwich St. Patrick’s Parade by the Greenwich Hibernian Association on Saturday evening, March 7, at the organization’s annual St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance. The Parade will be held on March 22nd at 2 OI.
O’Shea was born in London, England in 1948 to Seamus and Eily O’Shea both of County Cork, Ireland. When he was six months old the family returned to his mother’s hometown of Passage West, County Cork, Ireland. Haydn is the oldest of ten children having three brothers and six sisters all of whom still live in County Cork. Haydn was educated at The Norwood Convent School, The Convent of Mercy School, Passage West National School and Passage West Vocational School.
After school, he began work as an electrical estimator at the Verolme Dockyard in Cobh, Ireland where he worked until it closed in 1984. In 1988, Haydn emigrated to the United States on a Donnelly Visa, becoming a US citizen in 1995.
Haydn and his wife Elizabeth Dawson O’Shea, also from County Cork, settled in Greenwich with their son Gavin. Haydn serves as Superintendent and Manager of One Milbank Condominiums.
He and his wife are proud grandparents to Ryan, Kellen and Quinn, children of their son Gavin and his wife Megan who live in Monroe, Connecticut.
Haydn is very involved in the community. He has been President of the Greenwich Hibernian Association for many years. For many years his leadership has kept the organization and its St. Patrick’s Parade going. In addition, he is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 39, The Redmen’s Home Association and St. Mary’s Social Concerns.
Many will recognize Haydn as the voice of the Greenwich St. Patrick’s Parade as he has been the Master of Ceremonies for many years adding his Irish accent to the spirit of the day.
Haydn said that he is both proud and honored to be named Grand Marshal of the 50th Greenwich St. Patrick’s Parade, celebrating his Irish heritage and lifelong commitment to serving in his community.
The Greenwich Hibernian Association is busy planning this 50th anniversary parade, hoping it will be the biggest in its history. Parade information and updates will be posted on the Greenwich Hibernian’s website atgreenwichhibernians.org.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Out&About column as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you. See you all again next week when I am Out&About again…