Waterbury Irish American History, Ethnicity, Culture, Resources, Faith, Opportunity, Leadership, Contributions, and Influence

Waterbury Irish American
History, Ethnicity, Culture, Resources,
Faith, Opportunity, Leadership,
Contributions, and Influence

Saint Patrick's Day Parade
2023

The city's Saint Patrick's Day parade is a long-standing tradition that attracts thousands of people from all over the state. Waterbury's parade is one of the largest in the state and has been a tradition in the city for over 40 years. Every year, the parade features marching bands, bagpipers, floats, and more, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate Irish heritage and culture.

The 2023 Saint Patrick's Day parade is set to take place on Sunday, March 12th, and the city is already preparing for the event. According to Mayor Neil O'Leary, the parade will feature more floats, more marching bands, and more participants than in previous years.

Other events will include live music, food vendors, and other activities throughout the city.

Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2022

On March 5th, 2022, a Saturday, a ceremonious flag raising will mark the beginning of this year's Saint Patrick Day parade. The parade begins at the Washington Park House, in the Washington Hill neighborhood, and will continue on to parts or all of Sylvan Avenue, Keefe Street, Baldwin Street, Piedmont Street, Edgewood Avenue, and Whittlesey Avenue. The parade ends at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Club on Golden Hill Street.

Police Pipe and Drum St. Patrick's Day from Republican American on Vimeo.

Waterbury's
Irish Neighborhoods

Historically

Abrigado
- since the 1840s
Mill Plain
- since the 1860s
Brooklyn
- since the 1860s
Gil Martin
- since the 1870s
Waterville
- since the 1880s

West Side Hill
- since the 1880s
Overlook
- since the 1910s
Bunker Hill
- since the 1920s
Hopeville
Cracker Hill

Currently

Gil Martin
Bunker Hill

Hopeville
Abrigado

Cultural Influence

Although the Irish-American population in Waterbury is dwindling in relation to the total population, and their influence is diminishing, they played an important role in the 1900s.

Several past mayors have been of Irish lineage, as is the current mayor. Various firefighters and police officers have also been of Irish ancestry. Pubs and other businesses have been owned by Irish-Americans. Many teachers in Waterbury also bare the Irish influence in their blood.

The Irish heritage in Waterbury is poorly documented.
Irish Immigration (lynchonline.com)

Business

Clubs, Associations, and Other Organizations

Connecticut State Board of the Ancient order of Hibernians – Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity
- (ctaoh.com)

Irish American Social Club of Waterbury, Incorporated, The
- Since at least as early as 1936
- Until at least as late as 1940
- (ct-registry.com)
- Meetings
  - Regular Member Meeting: January 12th, 1940
- Events
  - Saint Patrick's Day Parade, 1940
- Management: Harold Boyce, 1940
- Committees
  - Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee, 1940
  - Booster Night Program Committee, 1940

Famous Irish Americans Who Were Born in Waterbury

Michael Joseph McGivney
- Founder of the Knights of Columbus
- Declared as Venerable in 2008

Irish of Waterbury

Waterbury Irish Mayors for the Day

1996 Cornelius J. "Connie" Collins
2003 John J. "Jack" McCarthy
2006 George W. Kearney
2009 William McCarthy
2013 Patrick "Bob" O'Rourke
2016 Eileen Byrne
2019 Craig Sullivan
2021 David T. Carmody
2022 Roland T. "Skip" Hamel, Jr.
2024 Jack Alseph

Saint Patrick's Church

Long colloquially-known as the church where a great concentration of Waterbury's Irish-Americans worship, Saint Patrick's Church is located at 50 Charles Street.

The church is on the Connecticut Irish-American Heritage Trail.

Additional information here.

Demographics

Although the Irish populous in Waterbury has been slowly diminishing for decades, approximately 10% of Waterburians are at least 25% Irish by heritage.

Therefore, the Irish-Americans may be the fourth highest in populous, behind the Italian-Americans, the Puerto Rican Americans, and the Black / African Americans.

Percentage of Irish in Connecticut by City (zipatlas.com)