Vintage St. Patrick's Day photos: How LI was celebrating in the 1950s and beyond
In March, Long Island goes green.
Throughout the month, pride in Irish culture and heritage will be on full display, with at least 25 parades planned from Mineola to Montauk (plus, of course, the big parade in Manhattan and marches in Queens.) It’s a tradition that goes back decades on the Island, as Irish Americans have come together to celebrate their roots. They have often been joined by members of the Catholic Church, politicians like Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and even McGillicuddy, the Irish wolfhound.
All of the photos seen here are pulled from Newsday’s archives. You can check out more pictures from the Long Island of yesteryear at the Vintage Newsday Instagram account — you’ll know it by the circular photo of Newsday’s first female photographer, Edna Murray, circa 1945.
Oh, and — Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
— KIM PREDHAM, LI LIFE EDITOR
1955
Michael O'Brien, of Cedarhurst, walks his Irish wolfhound Rory O'Moore in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Hempstead on March 13, 1955. The dog had won best in breed at a dog show held at Madison Square Garden. Credit: Newsday/Bill Sullivan
1956
A group of Kilties march past the reviewing stand on Main Street in Hempstead during the St. Patrick's Day parade on March 11, 1956. Credit: Jim Nightingale
1958
Sandra Schlosser, captain of the twirlers from St. Agnes in Rockville Centre, poses with Grand Marshal Thomas Mackey at the St. Patrick's Day parade in Hempstead on March 16, 1958. Credit: Newsday/Bill Sullivan
1959
Susie Davis, 9, of Yaphank, takes photos at the Rocky Point St. Patrick's Day parade on March 15, 1959. Credit: Newsday/Max Heine
1960
Hempstead's chief of police, John Feeley, with Ralph Dauch at the St. Patrick's Day parade on Main Street in Hempstead on March 13. 1960. Credit: Newsday/Dick Nightingale
1961
Richard Zachary, 2, and his sister Frances, 5, of Bellrose, are all decked out for Hempstead's St. Patrick's Day parade on March 12, 1961, but don't seem to be in the mood to celebrate. Credit: Newsday/Dick Kraus
1965
Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Bishop Walter P. Kellenberg watch the St. Patrick's Day parade from the reviewing stand on March 14, 1965 in Hempstead. Credit: Newsday/Dick Kraus
1969
Pattie Hall, 6, of Islip, is dressed as St. Patrick for the parade on Montauk Highway in East Islip on March 16, 1969. Credit: Newsday/Richard Benjamin
1988
Patrick Crea and Christopher McLaughlin, both 5 and with a Mineola Irish American group, take turns blowing their horns as they march in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Garden City on March 6, 1988. Credit: Newsday/Karen Wiles Stabile
1989
Grand Marshal Tom McCarrick leads the St. Patrick's Day parade in Rocky Point on March 12, 1989. Credit: Newsday/Bill Davis
1990
Terri Kear and Al Giordano, of Hicksville, take a spin on the dance floor at a St. Patrick's Day senior citizen dance in Lido Beach on March 16, 1990. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams, Jr.
1991
Grand Marshal William J. MacGuffin marches down Franklin Avenue in Garden City on March 10, 1991. Credit: Newsday/Thomas R. Koeniges
1992
Bagpipers from Amityville's American Legion lead Montauk's Saint Patrick's Day parade on March 22, 1992. Credit: Newsday/John H. Cornell, Jr.
1993
Girls from the Redmond Academy of Irish Dancing teach boys from St. Mary's Children and Family Services the basics of Irish step dancing at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho on March 15, 1993. Credit: Newsday/Ken Spencer
1994
Patchogue firefighter William Antonio poses with his fellow firemen as they march in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Bayport on March 13, 1994. Credit: Newsday/David L. Pokress
2016
Steven Melendez marches with a gay pride group at the the 255th annual New York City St. Patrick's Day parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on March 17, 2016. Credit: John Roca
