'Proud to claim Goshen': St. Pat's season kicks off Feb. 16

GOSHEN — They're coming...mild temperatures, blades of tender green grass, and the 39th annual Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Parade, which this year will be held on Sunday, March 16, through the village of Goshen.

"We are proud to claim Goshen, the county seat, as the home to our parade since 2002," said Bill O'Donnell, president of the member organizations.

The committee is now planning the many events that surround the parade. The kick-off will once again be held in Goshen at Kelley Jean's on Feb. 16. In attendance will be the grand marshal, Stephen O'Shea, who hails from County Kerry and is the founder and original President of St. Brendan's GAA.

O'Shea completed his degree in engineering in the U.S. and is presently facilities manager with the City of New York Department of Education. He has been married for 29 years to his wife Cathie. They have three children and live in Monroe. He served as an aide to the grand marshal for Orange County in the 2007 St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City. He is a 28-year member of the Kerrymen's P&B Association in New York, a member of the AOH, Joseph Duelk Jr. Division 1 and the Knights of Columbus, both in Monroe. He and his wife Cathie have been strong supporters of Project Children for over 30 years, a cause that has helped bring peace and stability to Northern Ireland.

The committee says it couldn't be prouder to have a grand marshal that "truly believes that the heritage of the past is the seed that brings the harvest of the future."