Manus Cooney ’80 and former Gonzaga parent Alice McDermott to Lead D.C. St. Patrick’s Parade

When the 50th Anniversary Washington, D.C. St. Patrick’s Parade marches down Constitution Avenue on March 15th, it will be led by members of the Gonzaga community.  Alice McDermott, internationally acclaimed author whose best-selling novels capture the ethos of Irish-Americans, is the Grand Marshall. Alice is mother of two Gonzaga alumni, Will Armstrong '03 and Patrick Armstrong '11.

Manus Cooney ’80 has long been an advisor to Irish Ambassadors to the U.S. and a consultant on government matters with Ireland. Manus is being honored as the parade’s “James Hoban Gael of the Year.” James Hoban, an Irish immigrant, was the architect who designed the White House.  

In additon, Vincent C. Burke, III, is the Swampoodle Gael of the Year. Vince, a long-time supporter of Jesuit education at Gonzaga, is the son of Vincent C. Burke, Jr. ’40. Finally, the parade’s St. Brigid Gael of the Year is local designer/artist Maggie O’Neill, who is the is the sister of Michael O’Neill ’93.

In support of McDermott, Cooney, Burke, and O’Neill, and in recognition of the 40th Anniversary of the Gonzaga Irish Trip, Gonzaga alumni, families, and friends are invited to join the Eye Street Irish Marching unit. More information to come; if you have questions, please email Danny Costello at dcostell@gonzaga.org.