With the formal announcement this evening that Dr. Brian O’Dwyer has been selected to be the 2019 Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Judge James McKay has issued the following statement:
As the President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, I wish to congratulate our Brother Dr. Brian O’Dwyer of AOH Division 3 New York County on his selection as Grand Marshal to the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest parades in the world; we commend the Irish American Community of New York for selecting a man whose stature as an Irish American stands equally as large.
Dr. O’Dwyer exemplifies the Hibernian tradition of defending the Irish Immigrant
Dr. O’Dwyer’s selection reaffirms the raison d’être of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade as a celebration of Irish Americans and their contributions both past and present to our great nation.
community; fulfilling our Oath to espouse the Irish communities cause and aid them when in distress. Dr. O’Dwyer has been a tireless advocate for immigrants’ rights. He is a founder of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, the largest Irish immigrant center in the United States. In its almost 25 years of existence, the center has helped thousands of Irish men and women as they immigrated to New York City. The center and Dr. O’Dwyer continue to be a focal point for the advocacy of Irish immigrant causes and continue to fight for a fair and just immigration policy for the Irish.
In keeping with his fellow Irish Americans, Dr. O’Dwyer has never forgotten his connection to the home of his ancestors. He has been an active proponent of the peace process; serving as a member of several US Presidential delegations to Ireland and a White House advisor on the Northern Ireland Peace process. As chairman of the Irish Chamber of Commerce USA, Dr. O’Dwyer works to facilitate American investment in Ireland and Northern Ireland; cementing the peace of today by building hope for the future while reinforcing the special relationship between Ireland and the United States that, like the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, predates the American Revolution.
The Hibernians congratulate Dr. O’Dwyer on this great honor and commend the selection committee on their wisdom. Dr. O’Dwyer’s selection reaffirms the raison d’être of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade as a celebration of Irish Americans and their contributions both past and present to our great nation.
