A Brief History

Savannah's Irish lineage can be traced back to 1812, with the founding of the Hibernian Society of Savannah by 13 Irish Protestants for the purpose of offering aid and assisstance to needy Irish immigrants. The following year, in 1913, the Hibernians held the first private procession on St. Patrick's Day in Savannah. Six years later, in 1818, a local military group, known as the Fencibles, held the second private procession.

The first public observance occured on March 17, 1824, when the Hibernian Society issued an invitation to the general public to celebrate the feast of the patron saint of their native Ireland. Members met at the City Hotel at 10:00 AM that morning for business and then processed to the Roman Catholic Church at 12:00 noon for a discourse delivered by Rev. Doctor John England. The announcement in the previous day's newspaper invited the citizens of Savannah to join the Hibernian Society at the Church. Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee recognizes this event as the first "parade." Only six times since 1824, has a parade not taken place in Savannah.

The first Grand Marshal appeared in 1870. In the early days of the parade, the Grand Marshal was actually responsible for organizing the parade and it was not uncommon for the same person to serve as Grand Marshal for multiple years. Over the years, Grand Marshal became an honorary title bestowed upon a deserving gentleman by his fellow Irish-Americans.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee was formed in 1926 in order to officially organize the parade and elect the Grand Marshal and continues to do so to this day. What started as a simple private procession in 1812, has grown into world class parade of over 350 units, enjoyed by half a million people!

For a complete history of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah, try getting your hands on a copy of The Days We've Celebrated by William L. Fogarty. It was published in 1980 and is currently out of print. Or try this coffee table book that was published in 2009.