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STREET NAMING HISTORY

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One of the oldest traditions of the modern parade is the Street Naming.  Beginning in 1956, when the parade was re-established, Church Street was re-named John Costello Boulevard in honor of Ireland’s Prime Minister.  The tradition has held ever since.

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2024 STREET NAMING

On Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. we will conduct our annual Greater New Haven St. Patrick Day Parade in downtown New Haven, CT. Each year it is requested that the City of New Haven rename the streets closest to the reviewing stand at New Haven City Hall and dedicate the renaming in memory of a deceased person who has served the Greater New Haven Irish Community in a positive way. The 2024 street naming is dedicated in honor of these three significant individuals from our Irish community.


Thomas E. Gallagher Jr. Blvd.

Thomas E. Gallagher was born in New Haven, Connecticut on December 24th 1942. Tom graduated from West Haven High School in 1960 and Quinnipiac College in 1964. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct 22,1964 as a Military Policeman. He completed basic training at Ft. Dix New Jersey and was then sent to Ft. Gordon, Georgia for Military Police Training. Upon graduation he was assigned to the 344th MP Company XIII Corps and he received his Honorable Discharge on July 19, 1970 at the rank of Sgt E-5. Tom was the consummate “Westie” and he held immense optimism for his hometown of West Haven. His community activism included memberships in Jaycees (where he served as President), Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Lake Phipps Association, Chamber of Commerce, and the Governor’s Foot Guard. He was a trustee of the West Haven Public Library. He volunteered for numerous city events and committees throughout his life and was active in city politics. He was most proud of his work on the West Haven Police Commission where he served for 18 years. Anyone who spent time with Tom knew that he was a true son of Eire and a piece of his heart could be found in Ireland, the Gallagher and Moore ancestral home. The music, stories, culture, green fields, majestic beauty, and pubs of his family’s homes in Westmeath, Sligo, and Wexford fed his soul. He was a proud member of the local Connecticut Irish organizations including the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Knights of St. Patrick, West Haven Irish American Club, Irish Cultural & Sports Association of Southern CT, and the Irish American Community Center. One of the highlights of Tom’s life was leading the parade as Grand Marshal of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2000. He was also West Haven’s Irishman of the Year in 2003. Tom is survived by his partner, Donna; his daughters Traci Gallagher, Karyn Gallagher and her husband Shaun Donnelly, Aimee Gallagher and her husband Eric Ruys; his stepdaughters Elena Heitz and her husband Kurt, and Jessica Szafran and her husband Eric; his treasured grandchildren Sinead Donnelly, Helen Gallagher, Rafael Szafran, Eleanor Szafran, Liam Heitz and Corinne Heitz; the mother of his children, Doreen Gallagher and many caring family members. Church and Chapel Street will be named Thomas E. Gallagher Jr., Blvd . on March 10, 2024 in recognition of his impact on the Irish community.

2023 STREET NAMING

John C. O'Donovan Way

John C. O’Donovan was born in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland. He left Ireland to study in England in 1947. In 1953 John and his wife Kathleen immigrated to the United States to the New Haven area. He was drafted into the military that same year and served with the U.S. Army in Korea. After his military service, he worked for the former SNET for 34 years. John became a Deacon for the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1993. He has served Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish in Hamden since that time. In his role as a Catholic Deacon he brought comfort to all in his presence. There are many families that have been touched by his kind and gentle manner and are forever connected by him performing the baptism, wedding or family funeral Mass. John O’Donovan‘s leadership was not only spiritual but strong within his community. For many years, he was President of the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club and an integral part of the Irish American community. In 1976 he served as the Grand Marshal of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade, stayed involved and traditionally led the committee in prayer and a blessing at the last parade committee prior to the parade. John organized and actively worked in food pantries at Saint Ann’s, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Catholic parishes providing resources for anyone in need. John was 92 years and still driving, participating in liturgical services and volunteering. John truly lived a life of service and is the role model and standard for many who had the opportunity to know him. The parade committee has a tradition of gathering at Saint Mary’s Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven to celebrate Mass prior to heading out to the Greater New Haven Saint Patrick's Day parade route. John O’Donovan has been part of the celebration of the Mass. At this parade day Mass he will be there in spirit.
Chapel Street will be renamed John C. O’Donovan Way on Sunday, March 12, 2023 as part of his final recognition.


Edward J. O’Neill Blvd

In November 2022, we lost our 1997 Past Grand Marshal Edward Joseph O'Neill. Edward O’Neill was 1st generation Irish American born and raised in New Haven, in a family of 8 children. After graduating from St. Mary's High School in New Haven, Edward began his career at The Yale Computer Center, eventually becoming the Associate Director. While employed full-time, he pursued his undergraduate degree at Southern Connecticut State University, attending classes in the evening after work. His mentor, the late Yale University Professor John D. Thompson, encouraged Edward to apply to graduate school at Yale, where he went on to proudly earn his Master of Public Health. He was appointed to be the President of the Health Systems Agency of South-Central Connecticut. He then joined The Hospital of St. Raphael as an Administrator, and ultimately became the Corporate Vice President of Regional Affairs. He went on to serve as the Executive Director of The Cardiothoracic and Vascular Group until his retirement from healthcare in 1999. Edward devoted his time outside of work to the service of others, volunteering for numerous charities and serving on a variety of boards. Among those he particularly cherished were The Shirley Frank Foundation, The St. Ann/Christian Union Soup Kitchen, and The Clelian Adult Day Center. He took great pride in his Irish heritage, serving for many years as a member of The Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and Grand Marshal. Edward leaves behind wife, Harriet (Anderson) O'Neill; and his three children, Ryan and Kevin O'Neill and Kerry Satchwell and a large extended family.

Church Street will be named Edward J. O’Neill Blvd. on March 12, 2023 in recognition of his impact on the Irish community.


Moriah Grace Conlan Way

Moriah Conlan was the 2004 Parade Queen. Since 1976 The Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade has an annual tradition of
choosing a young woman from the Irish Community to be named Parade Queen. This role looks to connect the next generation of Irish Americans to their heritage and in the year as Parade Queen honorees serves as an ambassador for the Irish Community. Moriah Conlan was very proud of her Irish heritage and a member of the West Haven Irish American Club. In October 2021, we lost Moriah Grace Conlan. Moriah was a kindergarten teacher and a mother to Declan Smalldone. As with most families involved in the Irish American Community, the commitment is a family commitment, as the 2023 Grand Marshal is Joanne Conlan, Moriah Conlan’s mother.

Elm Street will be named Moriah Grace Conlan Way on March 12, 2023.

2022 STREET NAMING

2022's three honorees:

  • Mary Carter Gallagher, 1996 Grand Marshal
  • Robert C. Shanley, 1987 Grand Marshal
  • James C. Bohan, 1981 Grand Marshal

2019 STREET NAMING

For the 2019 Parade, the Corner of Church and Chapel was renamed Theresa Hinckley Boulevard. Theresa McHale Hinckley was a member of the Parade Committee for several years while managing Celtica. In that time she worked on several subcommittees within the parade, such as the Wine Tasting at Anthony’s Oceanview, the Fashion Show in 2004 and 2005, Great Guinness Toast events, and acted as the media chair, working directly with WTNH in 2005 and 2006. She organized and ran the silent auction and raffle at the Parade Ball for many years while it was at Yale Commons.

She was also instrumental in working with the Parade Queen Selection Committee and contestants, by hosting High Teas within her home, and being a member of the Queen’s Committee for many years. She played a vital role in sponsorship & donations for the Parade Queen Selection and other Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade events via Celtica.

Theresa’s Irish resume extends far beyond the Parade, as she was a very dedicated member of the NHGF&HC/IACC, as well as the Irish community at large. She made a wonderful impact on our Irish community and is missed by many.

PAST NAMED STREETS

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St. Patrick's Day Parade Greater New Haven logoThe Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Connecticut’s largest single day spectator event attracting more than 325,000 people to the streets New Haven each year. The Parade is a longstanding tradition in the New Haven community, and the members of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee volunteer to ensure the tradition continues.

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