United Irish Annual Dinner & 2025 St. Patrick's Day Parade

The United Irish Association of West Hudson is set to host its highly anticipated Annual Dinner on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at The Graycliff in Moonachie, NJ. This annual event will celebrate Irish-American culture, community involvement, and the organization’s longstanding dedication to preserving the traditions of the Irish-American community in the West Hudson area.

Founded in October 1973, the United Irish Association was the product of a collaboration between four prominent local Irish-American clubs: The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 7, The Irish-American Club, The Four Provinces, and The Friends of Erin. The association was created to provide a unified voice for the Irish-American community in the West Hudson area, and in 1974, the first parade organized by the association marked the beginning of a proud tradition. The United Irish Associations of West Hudson, Inc. was formally incorporated as a non-profit in 1989 to continue its mission of celebrating and educating the public about Irish-American culture.

Annual West Hudson United Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Today, the association funds and presents the annual United Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which travels through the New Jersey towns of Harrison, East Newark, and Kearny. The parade, one of the largest Irish-themed events in the region, is the highlight of the year for the community, and Sunday, March 16, 2025, will see the parade kick off at 1 p.m. from just west of the Harrison Town Hall on Harrison Avenue before making its way north on Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. to the reviewing stand in front of the Kearny Town Hall on Kearny Avenue in Kearny, NJ.

Grand & Deputy Grand Marshals

This year’s parade will feature three distinguished honorees: Grand Marshal Mark Wiggins, Deputy Grand Marshal Donna Boccino, and Deputy Grand Marshal Mike Mara. These honorees have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the community and Irish-American culture.

Grand Marshal: Mark Wiggins

Mark Wiggins, owner of Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny, has been a pillar of the community for decades. Born in Kearny in 1964, he grew up in a family deeply involved in public service. He graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School and earned a degree from St. Peter’s College. Mark has led Armitage & Wiggins since 1996 and is known for his compassionate care for grieving families. He is also a founding member of the Friends of the Kearny Public Library and has served on various local boards, including the Kearny Civil Rights Committee and the Kearny Board of Health. Mark’s extensive volunteer work includes leadership roles in the Optimist Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and his church community, where he has also been recognized by the Archdiocese of Newark. Mark’s dedication to Kearny and its residents makes him a well-deserving honoree of the 2025 United Irish Associations Parade.

Deputy Grand Marshal: Donna Bocchino

Donna Bocchino, a lifelong Kearny, and North Arlington resident, has dedicated years of service to her communities. After moving to Kearny in 1995, she became heavily involved in local youth sports, volunteering for the Kearny Generals, the wrestling team, and the Kardinals Booster Clubs. She was named Kearny Kardinal of the Year in 2003. Donna later transitioned to public service, winning a seat on the North Arlington council in 2019, where she serves as liaison to multiple boards. She spearheaded the Military Veterans Banner Program, which has since been adopted by neighboring towns. During the pandemic, she helped organize community events like "Crafting with the Council" and the "Pumpkin Patch and Parade." Donna is a proud grandmother and continues her work as a plan review administrator for the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority.

Deputy Grand Marshal: Michael Mara

Michael Mara, a passionate soccer enthusiast, has made significant contributions to the Kearny community through his work with local youth soccer programs. Born in 1980, Michael graduated from St. Peter’s Prep and Fordham University, where he developed a deep connection to Irish culture during a semester abroad in Dublin. As executive director of Kearny Thistle Soccer, he has helped expand the program to 32 teams. Michael also coached the Kearny High School Boys freshman team. A lifelong fan of Celtic FC and the Republic of Ireland’s National Team, he enjoys traveling to games with his family. Michael shifted careers from finance to open Soccer Post Kearny, a specialty retail store, where he continues to serve the soccer community. He and his wife, Kristen, reside in Kearny with their two sons, both avid soccer players.

The honorees represent the heart of the United Irish Association, which continues to support and celebrate Irish culture, history, and community spirit.

The Founding of the United Irish Association of West Hudson

The story of the United Irish Association began in 1973 when the founding members recognized the importance of unifying the local Irish-American community. The founding members were John Evans, Bob Reid, Desmond Boomer, Bob Carney, Dennis Smith, Ike O’Hagan, Frank Morgan, and Eugene Docherty. These individuals envisioned an organization that would not only host a parade but would also serve as a cultural pillar for the area.

Over the years, the association grew, with new organizations joining in the effort to ensure the parade’s continued success. Today, nine organizations are actively involved, including AOH Division 7, Friends of Erin, Irish-American Association of Kearny, Cifelli Association, Harrison-East Newark Elks #2326, Knights of Columbus Council #402 (Harrison), Knights of Columbus Council #6928 (Kearny), Scots American Club, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #2214. Each organization appoints three members to serve as Trustees, ensuring that the parade and the association’s mission remain strong.

Honoring the Legacy of Irish-American Culture

Since its founding, the United Irish Associations of West Hudson has been committed to educating the public about Irish-American culture and fostering a sense of pride and unity within the community. As a result, the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade has become a staple of local tradition, drawing thousands of attendees each year. It not only serves as a celebration of Irish heritage but also as a reminder of the hard work and dedication of those who built the foundation for the vibrant Irish-American community in West Hudson.

In 2025, as we look forward to the parade and the Annual Dinner, the United Irish Association will continue to honor the past while building for the future. The celebration of Irish culture, the recognition of deserving community members, and the continued success of the parade will ensure that the Irish-American legacy in the West Hudson area remains as strong as ever.

Join the United Irish Association on Saturday, February 22, 2025, for the Annual Dinner, and celebrate the rich history of the Irish-American community at this unforgettable event. Call Gina at (201) 600-5321 to purchase tickets. Don’t miss the grand festivities of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16, 2025, and show your support for the honorees and all those who contribute to the spirit of Irish heritage.

Please note that this article was updated to reflect that the United Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on the third Sunday of March (March 16, 2025) rather than the traditional second Sunday of March (March 9, 2025). Currently, there are no Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly Red Bull Arena) events scheduled for March 16, 2025. The United Irish will publish updates on their Facebook page..

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