Photo courtesy of Bill Powers

Ray Bermingham will lead the Peekskill’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade as its grand marshal this year.

PEEKSKILL— The Peekskill St. Patrick’s Committee is in the final stages of organizing its 21st Annual Parade and Mass, preparing for the installation of its 2010 grand marshal and four aides, and getting ready to unveil the “Dr. John McGurty, Sr. Memorial in Books Collection” at The Field Library.

The week-long celebration starts with the Grand Marshal’s Installation Dinner on Sunday, March 7 at Colonial Terrace, followed on Saturday, March 13 by Mass at Assumption Church at 1:30 p.m. and the parade in downtown Peekskill at 3 p.m.
“We’re coming off a very successful 20th anniversary year and we are looking forward to another successful series of events this year,” said Jack Murphy, Committee Chairman.

“Our annual selection of grand marshal and aides demonstrates how Irishmen and women impact our daily lives. Each honoree makes meaningfully contributions to the greater Peekskill community.”

None had more impact on more Peekskill residents than the late Dr. John McGurty Sr., who became a widely known and well-loved general practitioner of medicine in the Peekskill area. Now, a collection made up of materials related to the history of Irish-Americans will carry McGurty’s name and will be housed at The Field Library. Funding is being provided by the Peekskill St. Patrick’s Committee and the Hudson Valley Irish Festival.

The purpose of the collection is to present, preserve and promote the history of Irish-Americans. The beloved McGurty died just a few short weeks after serving as the first grand marshal of the first Peekskill St. Patrick’s Parade in 1990.

This year’s grand marshal, Ray Bermingham, will don a top hat and carry a shillelagh —both presented to him at the installation dinner. Bermingham is a native of County Cork, Ireland who lives with his wife, Bridget, in Cortlandt Manor. His story is a typical Irish immigrant story. He came to America in 1964 — carrying with him his hurling sticks (used in his favorite Irish sport) and his love of Irish music.

He said Irish music tells “the history of ordinary people. You can read the history of our people through our music. It’s sad music because the history is sad.” But he admires how Irish lyricists tempered the sadness with Irish humor, helping generations through famine, war, political strife and poverty.

Even in difficult economic times, Irish music can offer a respite from daily troubles, but local venues with performance spaces have dwindled. Since the closing of Guinan’s and Kelly’s — two destinations where traditional Irish music was enjoyed — Bermingham’s ambition is to acquire “a place of our own” where cultural assets like music, song, dance and story can be preserved and enjoyed.

Bermingham is an accomplished performer, having recorded several songs on last year’s Peekskill St. Patrick’s Committee’s 20th Anniversary CD. Bermingham said he gets his vocal abilities from his grandfather, father and uncles — all of whom had “professional quality voices, and all fine, fine, singers.”

Because of decades of support of the Irish-American community, Bermingham is frequently recognized for his unselfish efforts. His selection as 2010 grand marshal comes on the heels of his last honor, “2008 Hibernian of the Year,” bestowed upon him by Peekskill’s Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 18.

This year, Bermingham is surrounded by an impressive, hardworking and active group of aides: Peekskill resident and Girl Scout Leader Carol Olsen Lively; Cortlandt Manor residents Dan Dennehy, who is chairman of the Hudson Valley Irish Fest; Joe Price, who has marched in St. Patrick’s Parades in Peekskill and New York City for 20 and 50 years, respectively; and Maggie O’Hanlon who seemingly is involved in everything from schools to community.

The grand marshal- and aides-to-be all said they are honored, but O’Hanlon said: “If you are lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough.”

To view the rest of this content please Login.
If you aren’t registered you can Register now, it’s easy and free!