St. Patrick's Day Parade Dignitaries Saluted By Freeholders

The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders gave their respects to the Irish community with its annual "Salute to the Irish."

The Freeholders honored the Nutley St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal and District 5 Freeholder Brendan Gill, the parade committee and other dignitaries March 6.

The salute recognized both the Newark and West Orange St. Patrick's Day parade, and the freeholders posthumously granted Thomas Durkin, Jr the Irishman of the Year award.

Nutley Parade Chairwoman Deidre Hollywood, Gill, Deputy Grand Marshal Carl Thunell, Parade Queen Alyson Rose Ridings, and Mike Frobose, the Nutley Irish Member of the Year, also received commendations from the board.

“From humble beginnings back in 1978, it has grown to be one of the best St. Patrick’s Day parades in New Jersey that attracts thousands of revelers who enthusiastically celebrate being Irish… even if they aren’t Irish!” County Clerk Christopher Durkin said.

Gill, who is serving his first term as a freeholder for District 5, said he takes great pride in his Irish heritage and considers it a duty to be an active participant in the community.

“I take my responsibility as a public servant very seriously, because serving your community is one of the greatest traditions of the Irish community, so it is truly an honor and a privilege for me to both represent the 5th freeholder district and be recognized in this way by the Nutley Irish American Alliance,” he said.
    
Gill traces his Irish ancestry to Counties Cork and Mayo. Thunell, a building and housing inspector in Nutley who's served as a volunteer fireman, traces his roots to County Sligo, Eskraugh, Masshill and Dublin.

Frobose has been a member of the Nutley Irish Association for eight years and traces his heritage to Counties Cork and Laois. 

Rose Ridings, a registered nurse and Rutgers graduate, traces her ancestry back to the Great Hunger of the 1840’s when her father's family emigrated from Donegal, Galway, Antrim and Dublin. Her mother's family is from Cork, Roscommon and Offally.