Sons of Erin ready to showcase Irish pride

By C ori U rban

Special to The Republican

THE SONS OF ERIN IN Westfield is more than a social club: It’s a gathering place for people who serve the community and host an Irish Festival each year.

“We are a fun group of people and are very proud to be Irish,” exclaimed Karen M. Casey, chairperson of the Sons of Erin Westfield Parade Committee.

It’s that committee that will enter a “Four Green Fields” colleen float in the annual St. Patrick’s Parade in Holyoke. The colleen and her court will be riding on a natural landscape depicting the four provinces of Ireland as described in the classic Irish song “Four Green Fields.”

“The fine old woman (mentioned in the song) serves as a symbol of Ireland. The song speaks to Ireland’s desire to be reunified,” said Casey, who also is president of the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke this year.

In addition to the float, the Westfield contingent will include Sons of Erin President Jim Laverty; members of the Board of Directors; Auxiliary President Beth Burns; officers; Legion Post 124; State Sen. John

C. Velis, D-Westfield; State Rep. Kelly Pease, R-Westfield: Mayor Michael A. McCabe; City Council members; The Westfield High School band; representatives of St. Mary’s Parish schools; Westfield State University representatives; members of the Westfield police and fire departments; and Huntington and Granville Fire department members. This year’s award recipients are Westfield Parade Marshal Kevin O’Connor; Thomas Kane Irish Man of the Year Gil Barrett; and Dorothy Griffin Irish Woman of the Year Mary Jane McMahon. The Billy Buzzee St. Pat on the Back Award winner is Patti Hills. Parade day, Casey said, is “a day to celebrate our Irish heritage and have a lot of fun doing so; seeing people along the parade route is so much fun and celebrating is the best!”

The 2023 colleen is Ciara Johnson-Corwin, and members of her court are Kelly Burns, Cailyn Crean, Shannon Corbett and Sarah Moriarty.

“I’m just very proud to be a part of this with my committee — Maura Hurley, Susie Howard and Barbara Rogers. We have a great time and enjoy doing this,” Casey said.

The night manager of Big E Foodland’s bakery department was awarded the Gallagher Walker Award in 2019 for his outstanding contributions to the St. Patrick’s Committee.

“We are proud that Steve will be leading our contingent down the streets of Holyoke on Parade Day,” said Jean M. Graney, vice president of the Greater Easthampton St. Patrick’s Committee.

The contingent also will include members of the parade committee, representatives of the police and fire departments and elected officials.

People from Easthampton and Southampton represent their communities.

“The Greater Easthampton St. Patrick’s Committee has been a little dormant as other various groups have because of COVID and the restrictions the government put in place. We are excited to march in this year’s parade and to once again get back to normal,” Graney said. “In the past we have had a big St. Patrick’s party at the end of February to kick of the St. Patrick’s season. We hope to bring that back for next year.”

According to Michael O’Neill, president of the Greater Easthampton St. Patrick’s Committee, the contingent has participated for more than 50 years in the parade and plans on continuing this tradition.

This year’s Greater Easthampton St. Patrick’s Committee 2023 Barbara Parnell Scholarship winners are Austin Bush, Nora Scott and Riley Smith.

The parade marshal, Zavisza, has been involved with many community