Gotta Love the Irish in Jersey – The History and All the Parades
Quick History – Irish Immigration to New Jersey
By the mid-19th century, Irish immigration from Ireland to the United States surged, mainly due to the Great Irish Famine (1845-1852), which drove hundreds of thousands of Irish people to America. Many of these immigrants landed in cities like Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson, where they found work in factories, docks, and railroads. Cities with industrial job opportunities attracted large Irish communities. By the late 1800s, Jersey City had become a major hub for Irish immigrants who had found employment on the waterfront and in the industrial sector. Newark developed a strong Irish presence, particularly in the Ironbound district. Many Irish immigrants also became involved in local politics, law enforcement, and the Catholic Church, which played a vital role in community organization.
St. Patrick’s Day New Jersey Interactive Parade Map
New Jersey St. Patrick’s Day Parade Map. Use the “forward” icon on the map to send it to your phone!
New Jersey has the 2nd most St. Patrick’s Day parades in the United States, only surpassed by New York State, which holds over 100 parades during the St. Patrick’s Day parade season.
2025 St. Patrick’s Parade season – New Jersey
Over the decades, the Mr. Local History Project has been honored to be part of the Irish culture in New Jersey. Nothing stands out more than March when there are more St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations than in just about any other state in the union. So we thought we would share a few of our memories with you of those stories and footage of the Irish in New Jersey. After all, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, right?
Be sure to catch the Guard Pipes and Drums bagpipers at the Morristown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I think they also do Clinton and a few others.
New Jersey Towns with Irish Descendents
New Jersey Town Names with Ties to Ireland
Dublin, NJ – There is a Dublin section in South River, NJ, likely named after Ireland’s capital.
Belfast, NJ – A small community in New Jersey sharing its name with Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.
Newry, NJ – Named after Newry in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Killarney, NJ – Inspired by Killarney in County Kerry, a well-known scenic town in Ireland. Clonmel, NJ – Named after Clonmel in County Tipperary, Ireland.
Limerick, NJ – Reflecting Limerick, a city in western Ireland.
Waterford Township, NJ – Established in 1695, this township was named after Waterford, Ireland.
Hackettstown, NJ—While not directly named after an Irish town, Hackettstown is connected to Ireland through its sister city relationship with Hackettstown, Ireland, established in 2011.
Menlo Park, NJ – This area shares its name with Menlo Park in County Galway, Ireland.
Spring Lake, NJ – Nicknamed the “Irish Riviera” due to its significant Irish-American population, Spring Lake reflects the cultural influence of Irish heritage.
Some of the Jersey Irish….who knew?
Jersey Irish – Newark Irish – American Irish
Irish Parades in New Jersey
New Jersey hosts numerous St. Patrick’s Day parades annually, celebrating Irish heritage across the state. Here’s a list of parades scheduled for 2025, organized by date:
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated throughout March in New Jersey.
The largest St . Patrick’s Day parade in New Jersey is the Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Established in 1936, it is the state’s longest-running parade and typically features thousands of participants, including marching bands, bagpipers, Irish organizations, and local dignitaries. The parade draws large crowds and winds through downtown Newark, celebrating Irish heritage and culture.
March 1, 2025 (Saturday):
Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Steps off from the Fairgrounds Plaza at the top of High Street in Mount Holly and continues through the town.
Nutley—Franklin Avenue, 1:00 PM: Start at Harrison Ave and Evergreen Street, go north up Franklin Avenue, and end on Chestnut Street with the Review Stand in front of John Walker Middle School!
March 2, 2025 (Sunday):
Belmar/Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade: This parade, celebrating its 52nd anniversary, begins at 12:30 PM on Main Street in Lake Como.
Gloucester City – 1:00 PM. begins at Martin’s Lake (Johnson Blvd. and Francis St.) and continues down Monmouth Street.
March 8, 2025 (Saturday):
Hamilton St. Patrick’s Day Parade: It begins at 1:00 PM at the Nottingham Fire House, located at 200 Mercer Street in Hamilton, NJ.
Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day Parade: The parade occurs on the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk and starts at 1:00 PM.
Ocean County (Seaside Heights) – Boulevard, 12:00 PM
March 9, 2025 (Sunday):
Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Begins at 1:00 PM at 5th Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade: It starts at 1:00 PM on Allen Street and River Road and ends at Carton Street and Forest Avenue.
Woodbridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 1:30 PM and features more than 80 marching units, including traditional Irish Pipe Bands and Step Dancers.
Hackettstown’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Kicks off at 3:30 PM, attracting more than 14,000 visitors with various participants, including Irish dance groups and bands.
March 15, 2025 (Saturday):
North Wildwood St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Parade: It begins at noon and proceeds north on Atlantic Avenue to Olde NJ Avenue.
Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade: The parade starts at noon and proceeds along South Street to Atno Avenue.
Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade: It begins at 1:00 PM, proceeds east along Morris Avenue, and ends at Roosevelt Avenue.
Sea Isle City St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Starts at 3:30 PM at 84th East Landis Ave and ends at Kix-McNutley’s, 63rd St.
March 16, 2025 (Sunday):
West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 12:15 PM at the corners of Main Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue and runs north along Main Street to Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
Freehold St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Starts at 12:30 PM, running down Main Street and ending at Freehold Elks Lodge 1454.
West Hudson Saint Patrick’s Day Parade: It steps off at 1:00 PM from 3rd Street and Harrison Avenue, proceeds through Harrison and East Newark, and marches to Kearny Town Hall.
Jersey City St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Begins at 1:00 PM at Dickinson High School and follows Newark Avenue to City Hall.
Cranford St. Patrick’s Day Parade: It kicks off at 1:00 PM at the Community Center and proceeds along Walnut through town before continuing on North Union to Springfield.
Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Before the start of the parade, there will be a flag raising at 1:00 PM at the Roy W. Brown Middle School in Bergenfield, followed by the parade march down Washington Avenue at 2:00 PM.
Somerville St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 1:30 PM at the corner of Main and Grove Streets in downtown Somerville and proceeds west to West End Avenue near Immaculate Conception Church.
South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade: At noon, Marchers line up on South Pine Avenue. The parade begins at 2:00 PM and ends on Broadway at the reviewing stage.
Clinton – The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hunterdon County’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Kicks off at 3:00 PM in downtown Clinton, home of the historic Red Mill.
March 21, 2025 Friday):
Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade: steps off at 1:00 PM from the Prudential Center and proceeds through downtown Newark.
Ringwood – Begins at Ringwood Plaza, proceeds down Skyline Drive, and continues to 112 Erskine Road. This annual event features bagpipe bands, floats, Irish step dancers, and local community groups.
March 23, 2025(Sunday)
Highlands—The parade starts at Waterwitch Avenue and extends along Bay Avenue. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, it includes nearly 100 marching units, such as bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, and decorated floats.
Bayonne – Begins on Broadway and 5th Street, proceeds north to 39th Street, then turns west to Avenue C, ending at the entrance of Stephen R. Gregg/Bayonne County Park.
March 29, 2025 (Sunday)
Keansburg—The parade starts at Nappy’s on Main Street and ends at Applejacks on Carr Avenue. It embraces Irish folklore, symbolizing the leprechaun’s path to the pot of gold.
