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Madigan Muses: Generations Lead the Way
- iIrish Admin
- November 26, 2024
- Edited 3 hours ago
Table of Contents
By Marilyn Madigan
Cleveland’s St Patrick’s Day Parade has a long history of different generations of many families participating. Families that have taken on a more active role in the planning of the parade include the United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland, was established in 1958, whose sole aim is the planning of Cleveland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The Charter members were the Irish Civic Association, Sons and Daughters of Erie, the West Side Irish American Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ladies Auxiliary to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Gaelic Athletic Association, the Irish Cultural Gardens, the Cleveland Gaelic Society and the Pioneers. The United Irish Societies now consist of 28 organizations.
United Irish Societies
Tom McManamon Sr. was the first Executive Director, and his family is still involved today. His son, Tom McManamon, also served as Executive Director. The McManamon’s have the distinction of being the first family to have two generations lead the Parade as Grand Marshal.
Oliver Murphy was Grand Marshal in 1980; Bernadette Murphy, Irish Mother 1970, their daughters Joan Cavanaugh, was honored as Irish Mother; and Sheila Crawford, also Grand Marshal. Sheila still serves as a delegate, along with Joan’s daughter, Maureen.
Another family with a long-standing involvement is the Chambers. Bill served as the Executive Director and also had the privilege to lead the Units up the Avenue as Grand Marshal. His mother, Agnes Chambers, was Mother of the Year in 1965. The Chambers are still involved today, with Brian serving as a Deputy Director.
Al O’Leary was one of the founding members. He and his wife Celine still regularly attend the Parade Meetings. Two of their daughters, Maire Manning and Una O’Leary Escolas, also serve as delegates.
Al had the privilege of leading the Units up the Avenue in 1993 and his wife Celine was the Irish Mother in 1997. Both daughters were also recognized as Parade Co Chairs.
The Carneys and the Corcoran’s have the distinction of having two generations serve as Executive Directors. Bill Carney and his daughter Linda, and Dan Corcoran and his daughter Shannon. This year Shannon will also be following in her father’s footsteps in leading the Parade as the 2025 Grand Marshal.
These are just some of the families that have served the United Irish Societies. We have husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and cousins. This demonstrates to me that the Cleveland Irish community here is a family dedicated to promoting our Irish Heritage.
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Marilyn Madigan
*Marilyn Madigan is a Registered Nurse recently retired from University Hospital. She is an amateur Historian and served as National Irish Historian 2014-2016 for the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and is currently serving as National Secretary.
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