FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2025
CONTACT: Karina Diaz, Hudson County Executive’s Office
PHONE: 201-795-6200
JERSEY CITY, NJ — On March 10, County Executive Craig Guy, Board of Commissioners Chairman Anthony Romano, and the Board of Commissioners celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day with an Irish American flag raising at the Historic Brennan Court House. The flag raising honored Irish heritage and culture with a bagpipe and dance presentation, and honorees were presented with citations for their significant contributions to Hudson County.
“Irish Americans have long been part of the rich and durable fabric of our County, and Hudson County is proud to celebrate Irish American heritage, culture and history,” said Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive. “As a proud Irish American, I am pleased to join together with community members and leaders to celebrate with this flag raising to recognize the strengths Irish Americans embody.
“Much like the Irish before them, there are many, many families – men, women and children – who have come to America to flee political persecution, religious bigotry or a lack of economic opportunity. Today, as we bear witness to discrimination of our immigrant brothers and sisters, we must remember where we ourselves have been – walking in their same shoes – and look to where we want to be. Hudson County will always be part of a community and world that shares peace with one another – not hate.”
Hudson County, through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day each year. Saint Patrick’s Day has been celebrated for over a millennium by Irish families worldwide to highlight Irish culture with parades, celebrations, and by wearing the color green.
The following honorees received citations from the County at the Saint Patrick’s Day Flag Raising Ceremony and Celebration:
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- Bridget Antczak – Parade Chair, Bayonne St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
- Gabrielle Figueroa – Parade Coordinator
- Mary Hurley Cole – Grand Marshal
- Maribeth Hess – Aide to the Grand Marshal for the County Cork Association
- Moira Harden Wright – Aide to the Grand Marshal for the Donegal Association
- Ellen Cole Gallagher – Aide to the Grand Marshal for the Irish American League
- Kathy Ward Harden – Aide to the Grand Marshal for the Shamrock Society
- Maura Carney – Irish American League’s Irish Woman of the Year
- Brennan’s Florist – Irish American League’s Irish Business of the Year
- Debbie O’Donnell Whitney – Irish American League’s Irish Educator of the Year
- Alyson Landers – Irishwoman of the Year
- Martin Shannon – Irishman of the Year
- Daniel Barron – Irish Police Officer of the Year
- FF. Colin Nesbitt – Irish Firefighter of the Year
- Barbara Reyes – Honorary Irishwoman of the Year
- Len Hehir of Moran’s Irish Pub – Irish Business of the Year
- Kayleigh Rogers – Irish Educator of the Year
- Maryann Jarmolinski – Irish Medication Professional of the Year
- John O’Brien – Irish Senior of the Year
- Maureen Killeen Hulings – Chairwoman, Jersey City St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
- John J. Metro – Grand Marshal
- Catherine Healy Tiscornia – Irishwoman
- Dr. Brian Beebe – Irishman
- Det. Shawn O’Callahan – Irish Police Officer
- Capt. Bryan Tullock – Irish Firefighter
- Patrick Sullivan – Irish Paramedic
- Sylvia Hennessey – Honorary Irishwoman
- Nicholas J. Grillo – Honorary Irishman
- Christopher Brown – Irish Educator
- Kerri Smith Academy of Irish Dance – Irish Business
- Mara Rae Ellerson – Miss Colleen
- Kevin Quinn – President, United Irish Associations of West Hudson
- Mark G. Wiggins – Grand Marshal
- Donna Deane Bocchino – Deputy Grand Marshal
- Michael Stewart Mara – Deputy Grand Marshal
For photos from the flag raising, click here.
Watch a video of the event at HudCoTV on YouTube.