St. Patrick’s Day Parade Traces Roots to the American Revolution
Published on March 17, 2026
County Commissioners Join Celebration of Irish Heritage and Revolutionary History
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners joined thousands of spectators and participants Saturday for the 46th annual Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, celebrating Irish heritage and a tradition with roots in the Continental Army’s stay in Morristown in 1780.
The parade, organized each year by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County, traces its modern origins to 1979 in Wharton. Morris County’s connection to the holiday, however, reaches much further back -- to March 1780, when Gen. George Washington authorized a St. Patrick’s Day observance for Continental Army troops encamped in Morristown during one of the harshest winters of the Revolutionary War.
“St. Patrick’s Day in Morris County celebrates a heritage that helped shape both our county and our nation,” Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw said. “It is an honor to participate in this parade each year as we pay tribute to generations of Irish Americans whose contributions continue to be reflected in our community and its history.”
For centuries, St. Patrick’s Day has been observed as a religious holiday honoring the patron saint credited with spreading Christianity throughout Ireland during the fifth century. Celebrations in what is now the United States date to 1601 in St. Augustine, Florida, with organized events later appearing in Boston and New York during the mid-1700s.
The recognition of the holiday by our nation’s first president occurred while he was headquartered at the Ford Mansion in Morristown, now part of Morristown National Historical Park. The home, located at 30 Washington Place, served as his headquarters while thousands of Continental Army soldiers were encamped nearby at Jockey Hollow.
Those troops had just endured the winter of 1779–80, one of the coldest on record, marked by bitter temperatures and more than 28 snowfalls. Many soldiers were hungry, poorly clothed and unpaid, living in rudimentary huts they built themselves while awaiting the arrival of spring.
By 1780, the Revolutionary War had entered its fourth year and the composition of the Continental Army had shifted significantly. Irish immigrants and men of Irish ancestry formed a substantial portion of the force, reflecting the growing number of Irish who had come to the American colonies during the 18th century.
Amid reports that members of the Irish Parliament were pressing King George III for greater economic independence, Washington used the moment to recognize the contributions of Irish soldiers serving in his ranks by suspending routine duties on March 17.
“As someone who came to this country in search of opportunity, I am inspired by the stories of immigrants who helped build this nation long before us. The Irish soldiers and families who contributed to Morris County’s history are a powerful reminder that America was built by those who arrive here seeking freedom and a better future,” said Commissioner Tayfun Selen, who immigrated to the United States 29 years ago.
Washington’s connection to the holiday continued after the war. In December 1781, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in Philadelphia invited him to become an honorary member and later presented him with a gold medal recognizing the fraternity.
Founded on March 17, 1771, the organization was created to assist Irish immigrants and included several signers of the Declaration of Independence and Continental Army officers among its members. Today, that legacy continues through the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County, which organizes the annual parade celebrating Irish culture, heritage and the county’s ties to the nation’s founding history.
Irish-born soldiers who served in the American Revolution are also recognized in the Morris County Veterans Compendium project released by the Office of Planning and Preservation in 2023. Titled “Morris County in the American Revolution,” the interactive ArcGIS StoryMap includes an introductory video, photographs, historical background and geographic data highlighting local soldiers, civilians and locations involved in the fight for independence. The project traces Washington’s travels through Morris County and identifies battles in which local soldiers participated.
Among the Irish-born soldiers connected to Morris County’s Revolutionary history are Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, William Barton, William Dugan, William Gardner, George King, Benjamin McCullough, William McIlroy, Robert Means and John Stephenson.
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Photo 1: (front, l-r) Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw, Commissioner Tayfun Selen, Commissioner Deborah Smith and Morris Township Mayor Donna Guariglia.
Photo 2: (l-r) Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw, Commissioner Deborah Smith and Randolph Township Councilmember Joe Hathaway.
Photo 3: The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County, which organizes the annual parade.
Photo 4: The Morris County Sheriff’s Office marching in the parade. (Front, l-r) Chief Warrant Officer Jack Ambrose, Det. Capt. Denise Thornton, Sheriff James Gannon and Undersheriff Richard Rose.