Irish American Thomas Byrne has been named Grand Marshal for the 2024 Greenwich St Patrick's Parade to be held in Greenwich, Connecticut on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17.
Byrne, a resident of Greenwich since 1984 and a former Moderator of the Representative Town Meeting, has Irish roots that can be traced to his great-great-grandparents, Patrick Byrne and Anna Healy, who were born in Glendalough in Co Wicklow, Ireland.
Anna Byrne and her children immigrated to New York after Patrick died in 1844. One of their sons, also named Patrick, and Tom’s great-grandfather, joined the NYPD after coming to New York, rising to the rank of Captain. Capt. Patrick Byrne was one of the first responders to the "General Slocum" steamboat disaster in June 1904, the worst maritime disaster in NYC history. He received a commendation for his conduct during the tragedy.
Tom Byrne was born in Westchester, one of five children of William W. and Irene K. Byrne. A graduate of Yale and Stanford Law School, he practiced law in Connecticut for 15 years. He later moved to a career in education, teaching AP Physics in Westchester for over 25 years.
Byrne began serving on the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting in 1988, including as Moderator for 26 years, the longest tenure in the history of the RTM. He retired from the legislative body in December 2023.
Byrne shares an Irish connection with his wife, Megan, who can trace her Irish ancestry to the Reillys of Co Mayo. The couple, who have four children and six grandchildren, are members of St. Clement Parish in Stamford.
Tom coached his two oldest sons in the OGRCC baseball program for nine years. He is an active member of the basketball and baseball officials groups in Fairfield County and is currently Vice-President of the Connecticut Board of Approved Baseball Umpires. He has officiated all levels of basketball and baseball in Fairfield County for over 25 years.
“Being chosen as the Grand Marshal is a profound honor. My Irish heritage shapes a significant part of my identity. The stories of my ancestors overcoming adversity to establish a life here in America deeply resonate with me," Byrne told the Greenwich Sentinel.
Byrne will be installed as the Grand Marshal of the 48th annual Greenwich St. Patrick’s Parade by the Greenwich Hibernian Association on Saturday evening, March 2, at the organization’s annual St. Patrick’s dinner dance. The parade will be held on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17th at 2 pm.
Parade information and updates will be posted on the Greenwich Hibernian’s website GreenwichHibernians.org
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