St. Patrick’s Parade – March 18, downtown Montreal LiveEvents March 11, 2018 3667 Montreal’s 195th St. Patrick’s Parade March 18, 2018 start time: 12pm Corner of De Bleury and De Maisonneuve Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Parade is famous the world over and widely considered one of the best. It is the highlight of the Irish Festival with all of Montreal’s Irish organizations taking part. In 1929 the United Irish Societies of Montreal took over the organization of the parade and it has become more and more successful every year. “St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Montreal as far back as 1759, after the Conquest, by Irish soldiers of the Montreal Garrison. In 1817, the beginning of the Irish community here, the observance of St. Patrick’s day was marked by special dinners and the celebration of religious services. The actual celebration of a St. Patrick’s parade commenced on March 17, 1824. Michael O’Sullivan, lawyer and member of the Parliament of Lower Canada, was the main organizer of this public display. In 1836 he was appointed Chief Justice of Lower Canada but unfortunately he died in 1839. The St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal was founded by prominent Montrealers of Irish heritage on March 17th, 1834. They became the organizers of this parade until 1892. The parades of that era were a manifestation of the Irish success in the community and parades were held in Old Montreal on the day proper. Church services would precede the parade and a banquet was held after the parade with numerous toasts in celebration.” For more information: www.unitedirishsocieties.ca
