Photo: Parade Deputy Marshals are installed. L to R: Brendan Pelan, Div 5; John Wilson, Harford Co .Div; Fr. Martin Burnham, State Chaplain; Tim Harvey, State Pres.; Terry Brennan, Towson Div.; Brian Cannon, Catonsville Div.; Robert Connerton, Annapolis Div.
Like most everyone else, February and March brought the Maryland AOH into the full swing of Irish events. On February 26, the installation of the Baltimore St Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal, Honorary Grand Marshal, and Deputy Marshals was held at the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at a Mass celebrated by the Maryland State Chaplain, Rev. Martin J. Burnham. The Maryland LAOH’s own, Kelly Parks served as this year’s Honorary Grand Marshal. The participating AOH divisions have the honor of naming a Deputy Marshal. Following the installation, a parade fundraiser was held at Tir Na Nog in Baltimore’s harbor.
On March 9, many of the Maryland Irish community turned out for the naming of “Sally Murphy Way” near the spot where the reviewing stand for the St Patrick’s parade stood for many years. Sally was the catalyst behind that reviewing stand and made it a first class venue for watching the parade. Much pride was felt as we marched by “Sally Murphy Way” during the March 11th parade. The sign stands on one of the most traveled roads in downtown Baltimore.
On March 16, the Ocean City division celebrated their annual Mass in honor of St Patrick and dinner. The main celebrate being the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, Bishop of Wilmington. Bishop Malooly was honored to be among the Hibernians and remarked that he will put the event on his calendar for next year. The dinner honored many who extol the ideals of the AOH and featured a speaker who gave a wonder telling of his grandmother’s emigration to the US. A corned beef and cabbage dinner with music by a harpist made for a wonderful evening. The Ocean City AOH were up and ready to march in the local St Patrick’s parade the next day.
