Sober St. Patrick’s Day® Marches into History Uptown, Downtown, and Online

Mar 31, 2022 | Books, Business

“http://www.prlog.org/”Recovery on Parade” saw more than 75 Sober St. Patrick’s Day supporters march in the rain, led by its sister city’s St. Edmund’s Pipes and Drums, in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Sober St. Patrick's Day

Sober St. Patrick’s Day

NEW YORK – March 29, 2022 – PRLog — Sober St. Patrick’s Day Founder and Grand Marshal Bill Reilly is “over the moon” in 2022 and credits his team, board of directors, community, and 2022 Emerald Spirit Honoree for this year’s success.

William Cope Moyers escorted Mr. Reilly on 5th Avenue, gave a moving acceptance speech on behalf on Betty Hazelden Ford and the recovery community, and penned a stirring “Recovery on Parade” blog post about the day, he said: “Recovery was on parade up Fifth Avenue on St. Pat’s Day and for me, professionally and personally, it was a milepost in my long journey that I will remember and cherish along the rest of my way.”

Co-host Samantha Kelly made the trip to NYC to meet her Sober St. Patrick’s Day family and friends and march in the storied parade. She beamed, “Marching with Sober St.Patricks day was a dream come true! The nicest experience for me was strangers in the crowd who lit up when they saw us and shouted to us how many years sober THEY were and how happy they were to see us. I can see this event getting bigger and bigger every year. Well done to everyone involved.”

Treasurer, co-host and emcee Jim Frawley flexed his speaker skills and enthusiastically delivered the #ReclaimtheDay message. “It’s refreshing to be part of a St. Patrick’s Day experience that highlights the best of what Ireland and Irish America has to offer, without the distraction of the binge drinking and excess which many people associate with the day,” he explained.

Tami Ellen McLaughlin, who was Mr. Reilly’s guest at the 2015 Sober St. Patrick’s Day event, joined as executive director in 2020. And in 2022 she accepted a Proclamation from Matthew McMorrow, Constituency Relations, on behalf of Governor Kathy Hochul. “Amazing work — and now state recognition— happens here in Little Italy!” explained Ms. McLaughlin. “I am proud to be a part of this nonprofit that advocates for healthy St Patrick’s Day celebrations and in honor of our heritage works hard to counter the negative stereotypes about Irish and Irish America.”

11th Annual In Person Party – Live entertainment included John Whelan, 7-Time “All Ireland Champion” Button Accordion • Brian Conway, 5-Time “All Ireland Champion” Fiddler, 2006 Mid-Atlantic CCE Hall of Fame • The Donny Golden School of Irish Dance, Award winning Irish Step Dancers • The St. Edmund’s Pipes and Drums Band, Mystic, CT. • Jerry O’Sullivan, America’s leading Uilleann Piper • Brendan Dolan, 2016 Mid-Atlantic CCE Hall of Fame, keyboard player • Liz Simmons & Flynn Cohen, Guitarists, Mandolin, Vocals • Susan Graham, Irish Harpist.

Second Annual YouTube Premiere Global Celebration included all of the live artists listed above, and Donie Carroll, Singer, Guitarist, “Cork Man of the Year, 2010 and 2016 • Dylan Foley, 4-Time “All Ireland Champion” Fiddle Champion • Mary Courtney, Singer, Recording Artist • Liz McNicholl, Singer, Recording Artist • Una Walsh, Irish Harpist.

For more information on upcoming events visit www.soberstpatricksday.org

Sober St. Patrick’s Day® Celebrates 10 Years with a Much Anticipated and Momentous Virtual Event

May 7, 2021 | Books, Business

Its 10th anniversary YouTube Premiere celebrating all things Irish virtually unites Irish diaspora and receives global accolades including Irish Echo’s Arts and Culture Award.

Sober St Patrick's Day Wants to Reclaim the Day!

Sober St Patrick’s Day Wants to Reclaim the Day!

NEW YORK – May 5, 2021 – PRLog — On March 17, the world celebrated St Patrick’s differently due to the pandemic. However art and culture was well preserved by the team at Sober St. Patrick’s Day® who delivered a world class show for a global audience via YouTube Premiere.

SSPD Founder Bill Reilly is “over the moon” with the show, viewership, feedback, and accolades. “We were thrilled to share our 10th anniversary celebration with a global audience — welcoming 1,500 viewers that day, and nearly 2,000 more since,” said Mr. Reilly. “Many of those viewers were in Ireland and the UK, in large part thanks to our host in Ireland Samantha Kelly.”

In partnership with J6 Mediaworks, Enders Island, world class SSPD Band performers, and an impressive strategic marketing team on both sides of the Atlantic, the SSPD 10th Anniversary YouTube Premiere included:

  • Beautiful trad music with SSPD regulars John Whelan, 7-Time “All Ireland Champion” Button Accordion Player; Brian Conway, 5-Time “All Ireland Champion” Fiddler; Dylan Foley, 4-Time “All Ireland Champion” Fiddle Champion; Brendan Dolan, Musician 2016 Mid-Atlantic CCE Hall of Fame; and Jerry O’Sullivan, America’s Premier Uilleann Piper
  • Performances by Liz Simmons & Flynn Cohen, Guitarists, Mandolin, Vocals; Liz McNicholl, Singer, accompanied by Joanie Madden, America’s leading Irish Flute player, and Gabriel Donohue, Multi Instrumentalist
  • Solo Performances by singers and guitarists Donie Carroll and Mary Courtney
  • 12-year-olds took the virtual stage Arjun Ramachandran, Dancer, and Alice Bradley Irish Harpist and Fiddler
  • Traditional Irish Step Dancing from the award winning Donny Golden School of Irish Dance
  • Virtual visits to St. Patrick’s Centre in Downpatrick with Dr. Tim Campbell and pilgrim guide Martina Purdy
  • Cook-A-Long with Chef Terry McCoy, author of Saint Patrick’s Plate

Sober St. Patrick’s Day® Board of Directors member Jim Frawley, who made a special appearance and had a healthy message and invitation to viewers, said he was impressed with and inspired by the YouTube Premiere’s content, messaging, and metrics. “As the world evolves, it’s exciting to take ad-vantage of new ways to reach a global audience. This program exceeded my already tall expectations.”

On April 23, SSPD will be among the 40 organization recognized for their valiant efforts during the pan-demic with Irish Echo’s Arts and Culture Award.

“We can honestly say, in an Irish kind of way, that our SSPD 10th anniversary YouTube Premiere exceeded expectations,” said Executive Director Tami Ellen McLaughlin. “It is wonderful that the global Irish Echo team also pivoted to create and recognize a special community of organizations and the special and dedicated teams committed to ‘The Show Must Go On.’ We are thrilled to be included and accept the award on behalf our SSPD performers and strategic marketing team. We are all truly inspired to explore more ways to Reclaim The Day and Reclaim Sláinte the SSPD way — fueled by Irish culture, the saint himself, and healthy and safe celebrations. Thank you Irish Echo.”

The show can still be seen anytime at https://youtu.be/mDyQyOnAbvs