From: St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Inc.
Contact: Pat Smith / 212-843-8026 / psmith@rubenstein.com
Julie Robinson / 212-843-9341 / jrobinson@rubenstein.com
For Immediate Release
Lifelong Champion of Irish Culture and Causes to lead 257th Parade
New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade 2018 Grand Marshal
Loretta Brennan Glucksman, co-founder of Glucksman Ireland House at New York University and Chair Emeritus of the American Ireland Fund, has been named Grand Marshal of the 2018 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Board Chairman John Lahey announced.
Ms. Glucksman, a lifelong champion of Irish culture and causes, will lead the 257th parade up Fifth Avenue on Saturday, March 17.
“It will be an inspiration and an honor for Irish women and men and all those who celebrate our traditions and the values of St. Patrick to march behind Loretta Brennan Glucksman, a truly great and noble woman who has worked tirelessly and selflessly for Irish causes,” Lahey said.
“The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade has captivated my heart and made me feel special and hopeful as an Irish American girl from Allentown, PA, ever since my parents took me to the Parade on a fantastic road trip when I was in school,” Ms. Glucksman said.
“Over time, the Parade has continued to grow in sheer numbers of people, as well as in its importance to individuals and families from all over the world who consider their roots in our beloved Ireland.
“The credit for the Parade’s ability to modernize and include our whole community goes to the steadfast leadership, courage and vision of today’s members of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade Board of Directors. The Parade is a happy gathering of humanity and, with its international profile, it brings us ever closer for causes of goodness, inclusion and support for one another as citizens of the world.
“On behalf of my big Irish family and friends, I am as honored as I am humbled to serve as Grand Marshall, and I know that my late parents, Bill and Kitty Brennan from Allentown, will be marching right along with me.”
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 44th Street and proceeds up Fifth Avenue to 79th street in Manhattan on March 17, starting at 11 a.m.
The Parade will be broadcast live on WNBC-TV 4, and live-streamed on nbcnewyork.com. .
About St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which began in 1762, marches up Fifth Avenue every year on March 17th in honor of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland and of the Archdiocese of New York.