Since 1947, the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day the way we celebrate everything in New Orleans – with a parade!
New Orleans Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Irish Channel sits between the Garden District and the Mississippi River. It is one of New Orleans most famous neighborhoods. New Orleans became home to a wave of Irish immigrants who began arriving in the 1830’s. First they came to build the New Basin Canal. Later, fleeing war and famine, they came seeking a new home. Over 400,000 Irish immigrated to New Orleans. By 1860, nearly 20% of New Orleanians were Irish.
Many of these newly arrived Irish settled along the rivers edge, where lively docks provided ample work.
The Neighborhood Today
The Irish Channel has undergone many changes through the years. Today, the formerly working class dominated neighborhood has grown into one of New Orleans’s most sought after addresses. It is beloved for it’s rows of shotgun houses, porch culture, Irish pubs, breweries, charming shops, and delicious restaurants. Every March, The Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club plays host to the city’s favorite St. Patrick’s Day parade. Parade goers can catch cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, all the fixings for a classic Irish stew; or trade a kiss for a rose, and it wouldn’t be a New Orleans Parade without beads. Magazine Street is aligned with waves of green as merrymakers enjoy the festivities. Watch this video of the New Orleans Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade and catch all of this year’s parade details at the bottom of the article.
This year’s New Orleans Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held Saturday March 10, beginning at 1pm at the corner of Magazine Street and Jackson Avenue. You can learn about more New Orleans area St. Patrick’s Day events with this Guide to St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans.