The Montreal Irish held the city’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17, 1824. Our parade is the longest continually running St. Patrick’s Day parade in Canada. (My husband, who has not a drop of Irish blood, says it is also the longest parade, but I digress.)
Not a year has been missed since the first parade, and that includes this year when our 191st St. Patrick’s Day parade takes place. The parade starts today at noon at the corner of Fort and Ste-Catherine.
The last line in yesterday’s editorial in the Gazette will hit a chord with many Montrealers whose ancestors were Irish and it will also resonate with Montrealers who are only Irish for the day: “The parade, in its endurance and unifying spirit, is a testament of what Montreal can be at its best.”
Sláinte! Stay safe. Stay warm.
Genealogy à la carte 
Although Gail’s husband claims not to have a drop of Irish blood, with a DNA test he may find out as to whether he is part of that 40 percent of Quebecers who have Irish ancestry on at least one side of their family. Also we could talk about in detail which event is longer, St Patrick’s Day parade, or some 18 hole golf games over a shot of Redbreast Irish Whiskey!