ARCHIVES

Our parade has a proud history of great honorees and themes that celebrate many aspects of Syracuse and Irish heritage. 

PAST GRAND MARSHALS

2024 – TBA

2023Eileen Murray

2020-2022John Francis McCarthy and Sean Kirst

2019Bernard and Joanie Mahoney

2018Bill Gooley and Ed Riley

2017 – Mayor Stephanie Miner

2016 Joseph E. O’Hara

2015
– Jeff “Coz” Costello and Jerry “Bonez” Roesch

2014 – Project Children and NewsChannel 9

2013 – Thomas J. Maroney

2012 – Judge Charles T. Major, Jr. and Ed Ryan

2011Captain Richard Walsh

2010Coach Dick MacPherson

2009 – Mayor Matthew Driscoll, 52nd Mayor of the City of Syracuse

2008Monsignor Joseph M. Champlin, one of the most widely known Catholic priests in the Syracuse Diocese; Sister Kathleen Osbelt, founder and president of Francis House in Syracuse; Rev. John Schopfer, founder of the Brady Faith Center and Jail Ministry in Syracuse

2007 – Dr. Cornelius “Neil” Murphy, Jr. President, SUNY ESF

2006 – David Hoyne, Owner, Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub & Restaurant

2005 – Kevin Walsh, Onondaga County Sheriff; John Cowin, Chief of Fire, Syracuse Fire Department; Norman Mordue, Federal District Court Judge (Northern District)

2004Patrick Ahern, President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, former Syracuse Police Officer

2003Neal McCurn, Senior Judge of the U.S. District Court – Northern District of New York

2002 – Bob “Cupcakes” Young, Project Children volunteer/Drum Major, Syracuse Kilties Pipe Band

2001Bishop Thomas Costello, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse

2000Michael Pinkasewicz, founding director Tom Dooley Choraliers (27 Choraliers honorary marshals)

1999 – Father James Mathews, rebuilt St. Lucy’s Church after 1998 Labor Day Storm

1998William “Nibsy” Ryan, former Tipperary Hill pub owner and barkeep

1997 – Dr. Delos “Toby” Cosgrove, Cleveland Clinic Heart Surgeon

1996John F.X. Mannion, CEO Unity Mutual Life Insurance

1995 – Christine Varney, former Secretary of President Clinton’s Cabinet; Winnie Coleman, President, St. Joseph’s of Connecticut College; Kathleen Kelly, Project Children (Lifetime Achievement)

1994Jack “J.J.” Barry, International President, IBEW

1993William Donlon, former Chair/CEO, Niagara Mohawk

1992Kevin Reilly, Syracuse Attorney & Parade Co-founder

1991 – Father John Ahern, Most Holy Rosary/Parade Chaplain

1990Peter Coleman, Tipperary Hill Pubkeeper; Jean Daugherty, TV’s “Play Lady” from “Magic Toyshop”

1989John Dillon, Onondaga County Sheriff

1988William Walsh, former Mayor & Congressman; James Walsh, Common Council President

1987 – Stone Throwers (Stoned the Tipp Hill stop light, whenever city put red light over green) Jocko Bean, Richie Britt, James “Duke” Coffey, Packy Corbett, Kenny Davis, George Dorsey, Mikis Murphy, Stubbs Shortt, Eugene Thompson

1986 – Tom Young, Syracuse Mayor; Pat Bright, Southside Furniture Dealer; Patrick “Packy” Corbett, former Onondaga County Sheriff

1985James Hanley, Former Congressman; Sister Patricia Anne Mulherin, Retired St. Joseph’s Hospital CEO

1984Lee Alexander, Syracuse Mayor; John Mulroy, Onondaga County Executive; Bishop Frank Harrison, Diocese of Syracuse

1983Tom Higgins, Retired Banker/Parade Co-founder; Kathleen Kelly, Project Children

(Deceased past marshals in italics)

PAST THEMES

2024 – TBA

2023Running Through Tipperary

2022Dance Through Downtown – 40th Anniversary

2021 – Cancelled due to COVID-19

2020 – 20/20: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (Cancelled due to COVID-19)

2019Syracuse. Irish. Family.

2018Dublin Down in the Emerald City

2017 – From Eire to Erie: Celebrating the Canal’s Bicentennial

2016 – Fabric of our Culture – The Fabric of Our Community

2015 – March Into Spring!

2014 – 32 Parades for 32 Counties

2013 – Come Into the Parlor: The Warmth of Irish Hospitality

2012 – Irish Roots in Ireland – Irish Spirits in Syracuse

2011 – The Blessings of Irish Wit & Wisdom

2010 – “Céad mile fáilte – A hundred thousand welcomes”

2009 – “Tir na nÓg – Land of Eternal Youth”

2008 – Cornerstones of our Communities

2007 – Irish Trailblazers

2006 – A Little Bit of Heaven

2005 – Our Heroes in Uniform – Thank God the Irish Did Apply!

2004 – Dancing at the Crossroads – Stepping Through the Streets of Syracuse

2003 – Ireland, Land of Song

2002 – Four Green Fields… Will Bloom Once Again

2001 – Saluting the Irish Spirit – Celtic Pride, Alive, Alive O

2000 – From Tara to Tipp Hill – Where Heroes Gather

1999 – Gift of the Gaels – A Legacy of Learning

1998 – The Road to Glocca Morra

1997 – When Irish Hearts are Happy

1996 – The Clasp of the Claddagh-Circle of Friends

1995 – Cherish the Ladies

1994 – Salt of the Earth

1993 – You Can’t Get Away from the Blarney

1992 – Paddy on the Canal

1991 – The Emerald Mile

1990 – The Orange and the Green with Peace In Between

1989 – Higgins’ Heroes

1988 – Wee the People

1987 – Top O’ the Mornin’, Top of the World

1986 – Let’s Band Together

1985 – The Lilt of Irish Laughter

1984 – From Ireland With Love

1983 – From Ireland With Love