Irish America Hall of Fame inductee Loretta Brennan Glucksman will lead the 2018 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade as the parade’s 257th grand marshal. Glucksman, who has long been a champion of Irish causes and devoted Irish American philanthropist, is the chairman emeritus of the American Ireland Fund and co-founder of Glucksman Ireland House at New York University. She will be only the fifth woman in the parade’s history to serve as grand marshal.
“It will be an inspiration and an honor for Irish women and men and all those who celebrate our traditions and the values of St. Patrick to march behind Loretta Brennan Glucksman, a truly great and noble woman who has worked tirelessly and selflessly for Irish causes,” parade board chairman John Lahey said.
“The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade has captivated my heart and made me feel special and hopeful as an Irish American girl from Allentown, Pennsylvania, ever since my parents took me to the parade on a fantastic road trip when I was in school,” Glucksman said.
“On behalf of my big Irish family and friends, I am as honored as I am humbled to serve as Grand Marshall, and I know that my late parents, Bill and Kitty Brennan from Allentown, will be marching right along with me.”
A third-generation Irish American who traces her roots to counties Leitrim and Donegal, Loretta was inducted into the Irish America Hall of Fame in 2012. This summer, she became the second-ever recipient of the Kennedy-Lemass Medal in Dublin, which is presented to an Irish American who has shown exceptional dedication to building links between Ireland and the U.S. Speaking at the ceremony, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said, “She has inspired us all and it is very fitting she should be honored in this way.” ♦
Loretta Brennan Glucksman Named 2018 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal
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