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Agenda for 2020 & 2021 Deferred Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Ceremonies

On Irish in Europe Remembrance Saturday 13 November 2021

Salle De Milices at the Town Hall by kind courtesy of Mr. Philippe Close, Bourgmestre of Brussels (doors open at 11.30 / Covid rules apply)

12.00 Welcome

12.15 Opening Address Bourgmestre Mr. Philippe Close

12. 20 Photo Presentation Parade:

1.Photo of Bourgmestre with 2019 Parade Grand Marshal – Mr. George Brown (in front of Flags)

2. Photo of Bourgmestre with 2020 Grand Marshal- Mr. Dénes Dosztán (in front of Flags)
3. Photo with Mr. Leo Quinlan in the name of 2021 Grand Marshal in name of Colonel Pat Quinlan
4. Presentation by Councillor Deirdre O’ Brien, Chairperson of Fermoy Municipal Council, of the Fermoy Shamrock Bowl to Bourgmestre & Gifts to Bourgmestre (on each side of the table with Shamrock Bowl)
5. Presentation by Councillor O’ Brien of book “The Colorful Heritage of County Cork” to the Bourgmestre. It was published by the Heritage Unit of Cork County Council.

6 Presentation by Commandant Leo Quinlan (retired) of the Caherdaniel Shamrock Bowl and gifts to Bourgmestre. (On each side of the table with Shamrock Bowl)

6. Presentation by Leo Quinlan of painting painted by Leo Quinlan to the Bourgmestre. It is an acrylic based painting of the views from the homestead of Colonel Pat Quinlan overlooking the Atlantic. It is called ‘White Clouds Sailing’
7. Group photo of all Committee, guests with Bourgmestre and City Officials on stage in front of all the Flags

12.30 Master of Ceremonies (MC).  Denis J. Buckley, Chairman of the Brussels Saint Patrick’s Day Parade of the Nations & Regions Committee, and International President of the Irish in Europe Association (International) aisbl

Announces regrets from persons unable to attend ceremonies: see names at end*

12.35 MC calls on the 2019 Parade Grand Marshal Mr. George Brown to deliver an outgoing Speech.

MC commences the 2020 Grand Marshal Ceremony

12.40 MC Reads out citation for the nomination of Dénes Dosztán

12.45    MC calls on Dénes Dosztán to come forward from behind the room to be installed as 2020 Grand Marshal

12.47   Mr. Dénes Dosztán is accompanied by Sarah Donoghue, the Chief Aide to the Grand Marshal (deputising for P. J. McDonagh).

12.50 MC will present Dénes Dosztán with the Irish Sash.

12.55MC explains the history of the Rathmullan Bó Staff (Parade Grand Marshal Batton of Authority)*

13.58 George Brown outgoing 2019 Parade Grand Marshal presents Rathmullan Bó Staff to                                       2020 Grand Marshal Dénes Dosztán

13.00 Dénes Dosztán delivers acceptance speech followed by Music Recital on violin

– Londonderry Air

– The Last Rose of Summer

– Drowsy Maggie

– Gallagher’s Frolics

– Dingle Regatta

13.10 MC reads the citation for the Fermoy Shamrock Bowl. This bowl was handcrafted by Suzanne O’ Sullivan, Kilbarry, Fermoy and a member of the Blackwater Valley Makers Guild.

13.12 MC Calls upon Councillor Deirdre O’ Brien Chairperson of Fermoy Municipal District    and deputising for the Mayor of County Cork Councillor, Gillian Coughlan to deliver a speech.

13.20. Statement of appreciation from Valerie McIntosh on behalf of   the Sheehan Family from Vancouver, Canada is read by Mr. Todd Sharp.

12.23 Mr. Todd Sharp will play on guitar and sing a Canadian Song in tribute to the Sheehan Brothers.  ‘Farewell to Nova Scotia’   “Farewell to Nova Scotia” is a popular folk song from Nova Scotia, Canada. It was adapted from the Scottish lament “The Soldier’s Adieu” written by Robert Tannehill. It was written sometime before or during the first world war 

*  A Special Thank You to Damian Shiels, military historian and specialist on the Irish in the American Civil War who uncovered the story on the five Sheehan Brothers.

MC commences the 2020 Grand Marshal Ceremony

13.28. Mc reads citation the 2020 for the late Colonel Pat Quinlan to be enrolled posthumously as 2021 Grand Marshal.   His son Commandant Leo Quinlan & UN Veteran (retired) accepts the honour on his behalf).

13.30 Mr. Quinlan comes from back of Room and   is accompanied by Ciarán O’ Riordan Chief Aide to the Grand Marshal.

13.33 MC presents Leo Quinlan with Irish Sash

13.34 Dénes Dosztán Presents Leo Quinlan with Rathmullan Bó Staff

13.35 Mr Leo Quinlan delivers acceptance speech in the name of his father.

13.50 Citation for the Catherdaniel Shamrock Bowl is read out. This glass bowl was handcrafted in South Kerry.

13.52   An Irish Music lament – The Coolin is played on violin by Dénes Dosztán in memory of Colonel Pat Quinlan. It was Colonel Quinlan’s favourite Irish tune.

The Coolin, or The Coolun, is an Irish air often characterised as one of the most beautiful in the traditional repertoire. In Irish, its name has been given as An Chúileann or An Chúilfhionn (“the fair-haired girl” or “the fair lady”) depending on the text used. The tune is also known as “The Lady of the Desert”.

13.56 MC: Reads letter of appreciation and good wishes from Mr. Michael O’ Connor,    Chairperson of Coiste Pobail Cathair Dónall CLG   (Caherdaniel Community Company CLG)

14.00   A special presentation from one soldier to another.

Mr. Leo Quinlan presents a photo to Irish Canadian Mr. George Brown, Parade 2019 Grand Marshal and former naval officer with the Canadian Defense Forces of the memorial in honour of his father Caherdaniel born Colonel Pat Quinlan who was Commanding Officer of Irish troops that came under attack during the famous Siege of Jadotville in 1961.The monument was unveiled on 29 October 2017 in the Com an Chiste Pass in Caherdaniel by then Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny. It is in the form of a bronze plaque in Valentia made by Portmagee-based Holger Lonze.

14.02  Master Liam O Riordan (aged 6) is accompanied by his father Ciarán with songs in Irish

-Oró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile

-Trasna na dTonnta

-Fairytale of New York (as Gaeilge)

14.10 MC thanks everyone with concluding remarks and closes ceremonies*

* Gifts of appreciation were presented to the Denis J. Buckley MC and International President by Councillor of Deirdre O. Brien of a Hand-crafted shamrock wall plaque and Irish Crafted Harp.  Bottles of Cork triple distilled Jameson Crested Irish Whiskey were also gifted to the International President and Bourgmestre.

*Apologies for non-attendance from:

Mr Eddie Brannigan, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Ireland to the Kingdom of Belgium,

Brigadier General Gerard Buckley, Irish Military Representative,

Canadian Delegation

Senator Gerard Craughwell from Galway,

Mr Jimmy Moloney, Cathaoirleach, Kerry County Council,

Councillor Norma Moriarty, Kerry County Council.

Mr. Michael O’ Connor, Chairperson of Coiste Pobail Cathair Dónall CLG (Caherdaniel Community Company CLG)

History of the Rathmullan Bó Staff

*“Rathmullan Bō Staff”: The Parade Grand Marshal will carry, as a mark of his authority, the “Rathmullan Bō Staff”, which was cut from the wood growing on the hills overlooking Rathmullan Harbour.  Rathmullan (Irish: Ráth Maoláin, meaning ‘Maoláin’s ringfort’) is a small seaside village on the Fanad Peninsula in County Donegal, Ireland. It is situated on the western shore of Lough Swilly. Rathmullan serves as an important historical village as it was the scene of the Flight of the Earls in 1607, a major turning point in Irish history. The Flight of the Earls (Irish: Teitheamh na nIarlaí) took place in September 1607, when Hugh O’Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, and Rory O’Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, and about ninety followers, left Ulster in Ireland for mainland Europe. Their permanent exile and their arrival as Refugees in Leuven is a watershed event in Irish history, symbolising the end of the old Gaelic order. The Grand Marshal to carry the Rathmullan Bó Staff in the first Parade in 2009 was Father Kevin Kealy – the last Franciscan of the Irish College in Leuven.

Hence the “Rathmullan Bō Staff”:  symbolises the Flight of the Earls in 1607, the foundation of the Irish College at Leuven and the beginning of mass Irish emigration that lasted over four centuries – the result of which is a world-wide Irish Diaspora of over 70 million people today. The “Bō Staff” also symbolises the historical relations between Ireland and Belgium and the struggle of all emigrants and missionaries who left Ireland, overcoming adversity and hardship in true pioneering spirit that reflects the courage and perseverance of the Irish people throughout the centuries up to the present day.

Irish in Europe Association (International) aisbl

(Incorporating the Brussels Saint Patrick’s Day Parade of the Nations & Regions Committee)

Established 2011 by Royal Decree to help the Irish Diaspora and promote

Irish Culture, Integration & Interstate Trade at local Chapter level in Europe

Non-Profit International Association – Registered in Belgium – Enterprise Number 835467433

IEAI

International Association Centre, Rue Washington 40,

1050 Brussels, Belgium.

www.irishineurope.org

Events in Brussels:

http://www.meetup.com/Irish-in-Europe/events

2021 Irish in Europe Year Theme: ´´

”From the League of Nations to the United Nations – Ireland making a difference”

The 17th of March is the national holiday of Ireland and is celebrated in almost every country in the world. Due to the coronavirus, we have rescheduled our Parade that was due to take place on Sunday 15 March to Saturday 9 May (Europe Day)  subject to public health regulations on the day. We have re-titled our parade name to Brussels Saint Patrick’s Europe Day Parade of the Nations & Regions. This is the last practical day for us to hold a rescheduled  parade this year. Our aim now is to have small but symbolic parade  to not only fly the Irish Flag but also the EU Flag in Europe.

Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historical ‘Schuman declaration‘. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable.

His vision was to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production. A treaty creating such a body was signed just under a year later. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

The Parade now takes this unique opportunity celebrate Europe Day in the  EU Capital.

On Saturday 9 May 2020, the Irish in Europe Association (International)aisbl organise their 12th annual Brussels Saint Patrick´s Day Parade of the Nations & Regions in the historic City Centre for the third time.  This is now feasible as a result of the decisions of the Brussels City Council to allow more of its historic streets in the city centre to be pedestrianised, safer and more event and visitor friendly.

In recognition of Brussels being the capital of  Belgium, Flanders and the European Union, we aim to have our Parade, as in New York, to be  truly  a ´Melting Pot´ Parade of many cultures that the Irish bring together for one day in the year, invite everyone  to ´´Wear the Green´- the symbolic colour of Ireland ´and be Irish on the day. It is for this reason that our multicultural Parade in Brussels aims to be a Parade of the Nations & Regions. Having the Parade in the City Centre for the third time will allow us to grow our small Parade into the biggest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Continental Europe in the years ahead.

Ireland´s relationship with what is now Belgium dates back to 563 AD that marks the beginning of the Irish missionary and scholastic period in Europe which laid the foundations of the university system in Europe as we know it today. The Irish in Europe Year Theme for 2020 is

”Remembering the Irish Contribution to Peace, Democracy & to the Liberation of Europe”

In 2019, we remembered the Irish Diaspora regiment – Irish Guards as part of the Armoured Guards Division that liberated Brussels in September 1944.   This year, we mark the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the liberation of Europe.

Ireland was neutral during WW2, however some 70,000 Irish enlisted in the various Allied Armies. More Irish were killed in military uniform than Belgians in military uniform in WW2.

We have nominated Fermoy in County Cork in Ireland as our partner town for 2020 in recognition of the biggest sacrifice of any Irish born family in Ireland that were killed during the Second World War. They were the Fermoy Sheehan brothers fighting for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The brothers were Harry, Frank and Edward. Two more brothers Michael & Thomas who fought with the Canadian Army and Navy survived.

We intend to also recognise the 100th anniversary of Belgium hosting the Olympics in 1920 and the Irish who participated under different flags.

Our Parade Grand Marshal this year is Hungarian and we will for the next 12 months commemorate the Irish-Hungarian Relationship and the Brussels connection.

Our Parade will again be a historical stroll of discovery that will not only celebrate Irish culture but also help promote the architectural heritage of Brussels. Many people in Belgium and around the world will learn, from the Parade publicity about the Brussels of the past and present, its little-known side-streets and cobbled squares bedecked by its century’s old monuments. Along the Parade route, we will embrace the stories of the past, the local customs and the traditions of the historic streets. As an evolution of these stories, we will weave in the Irish story to create new Irish traditions and ceremonies that will become the Brussels stories of tomorrow and for generations to come.

This year, we again will continue to promote Brussels as a retail centre. More shopping arcades will be illuminated in green over the weekend and more shops and restaurants will have Irish Green Window displays along the route of the Parade.

The completion of street works in one part of Boulevard Anspach allows us now the option subject to funding of extending the Parade of crossing part of Rue Neuve and by Passage du Nord.

We had hoped that the renovation works at the Bourse and Boulevard Anspach street works would be completed.

We have deferred our plans to enter in the Guinness Book of Records to have the only Saint Patrick’s Day Parade outside of Ireland  on an Irish surface  and /or longest Irish surface (Kilkenny Stone owned by Belgian Company) until next year when all the street works are completed to allow the city to get the maximum promotion worldwide  for the  urban works. Because of the uncertainty of the Brexit negotiations until December 2019 and not having the guarantee of having frictionless trade to ship Irish goods via UK to Belgium, it was not feasible to plan our Saint Patrick’s Markets on a big scale this year.  It is better for us to wait until 2021 to have the frictionless trade resolved and streets works completed together with Guinness book record event.  We also believe that these combined activities and completions of street works, would then justify having the retails outlets to open specially and or move the first Sunday opening in March to the Parade Sunday in 2021.

The 2018 Parade was the coldest Parade in its 10-year history. It was minus 4 with the wind-chill factor. Many young children from the dance groups did not participate and also musicians had difficulty in playing their instruments due to frozen fingers.

Hence again for the 2020 Parade, we have decided to submit two route options to allow for weather conditions and other factors affecting the Parade. The short route same as last year. The completion of the street works at Boulevard Adolphe Max allows us to have a longer route  via the little used street rue d’ Argent to pass Place des Martyrs  to cross  Rue Neuve via or to Passage du Nord.

We continue  the following ceremonies:

Parade though  Galeries Royales and Galerie Anspabach and Passage du Nord for the first time..

Brussels for Good Luck Irish Ceremony at Everard t´Serclaes   Monument

Review of Parade at Grand Place – Presentation of Shamrock in glass crystal bowl to Bourgmestre ,Playing of the Irish, Belgian and European Union National Anthems,plus the Hungarian in honour of the Parade Grand Marshal and the Canadian in memory of the Sheehan Brothers.

Door of Welcomes Ceremony

Annual Irish Toast to the health of the Bourgmestre

We have three new ceremonies, a moment of reflection of Place des Martyrs   and another moment of reflection at the Grand Place.

We will have a special moment of silence for all those who died from the coronavirus.

The Irish in Europe Association (International) aisbl (IEAI) was established in Belgium in 2011 with its European HQ in Brussels. It incorporates the organisational Committee of the Brussels Saint Patrick’s Day Parade of the Nations & Regions that organised the first Parade in 2009 in Parc du Cinquantenaire/Jubelpark.

The main function of the Irish in Europe Association is to support Irish emigrants, connect and engage with the world-wide Irish Diaspora living and working in Europe and to promote Irish culture, inter-state trade, community-building and micro-integration through a network of Chapters in Europe. It also manages the Irish in Europe Cultural Exchange programme between Ireland and Belgium. It has three exhibitions of Brussels on tour in Ireland in association with the Paul Hankar Institute of Brussels: Brussels Like a Tree, Art Nouveau and Art Deco. These exhibitions of Brussels not only assist in the promotion of Brussels as a holiday destination but also help to grow cultural and trade relations between Ireland and Belgium.