Sober St. Patrick's Day | Celebrating Irish Culture

OUR STORY

The mission of Sober St. Patrick's Day® is to reclaim the true spirit of St. Patrick's Day by changing the perception and experience from an occasion for binge drinking and the misuse of alcohol or other drugs to a celebration of the richness of Irish culture and the legacy of St. Patrick.

Who is St. Patrick?

2026 Performers
All-Ireland Champion Musicians, Award Winning Dancers, & Surprise Guests

"The best Irish entertainment in NYC on
St. Patrick's Day." – Irish Voice

You will be swept off your feet by the extraordinary talents of our All-Ireland Champion Musicians and Prizewinning Dancers, whose performances are nothing short of mesmerizing. Their passion, skill, and deep-rooted connection to Irish tradition delivered an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe.

Rory Makem

Legendary Irish Folk Singer-Musician, Rory has established himself as one of the leading forces in the song tradition of Irish music

Brian Conway

5 Time All Ireland Champion Fiddle, Recording Artist, 2006 Mid-Atlantic CCE Hall of Fame.

Jerry O'Sullivan

America's Premier Uilleann Piper, Recording Artist

Donal Morrissey

Bagpiper

Flynn Cohen

Award Winning Irish Guitarist & Singer

Loretto Leary

Education & Cultural Director, Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield

Mary Courtney

Award Winning Irish Singer & Composer

Cast Members from Parcel from America

Musical set in 1950s rural West Limerick that tells a poignant story of Irish emigration

Mark Mitton

Master Magician

Ukrainian Folk Dancers

Traditional Ukrainian cultural heritage and dance

John Whelan

7 Time All Ireland Champion Button Accordionist & Sober St. Patrick's Day® Grand Celebration Music Director

Donny Golden's School of Irish Dance

Award-winning traditional Irish Dancers

James Felder

Bagpiper

Brendan Dolan

Award Winning Pianist and Keyboard Player

Set dance class North Kerry show the lady 3.JPG

Dan Hunt & IAC Set Dancers

Dancing with quick, precise footwork set to Irish music.

Susan Davey

Actress, creative storyteller and art history graduate

Tim Connell

Award-winning TV, Broadway & Cabaret Singer

Jim Frawley

Grand Celebration MC | Executive Coach, Bestselling Author & Host of the Jim's Take podcast.

Orlando Pagan

Ukrainian Dance Instructor/Artistic Director/Choreographer at RPB Ukrainan Dance Foundation

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A Grand Crew

Sober St. Patrick's Day ® is powered by a dedicated and passionate team of individuals committed to promoting a safe and inclusive celebration of Irish culture. Our small but mighty team includes event organizers, community outreach specialists, and creative minds who work tirelessly to ensure a memorable St. Patrick's Day experience. With a blend of expertise in event planning, cultural advocacy, and addiction prevention, each team member plays a crucial role in crafting an event that honors Irish heritage while emphasizing responsible and healthy choices. Together, we aim to provide a vibrant and joyful celebration that fosters connections and promotes a positive cultural narrative.

Founder and Chairman

William Spencer Reilly

Sober St. Patrick’s Day ® was created by award-winning theater and television producer, William Spencer Reilly, who almost lost a member of his family to addiction in 2004. He first proposed the idea to leaders in the recovery and Irish American communities, a pitch that led, a year later, to the 2012 inaugural party. Now an annual event, Sober St. Patrick’s Day® is held on parade day in New York City. It continues to grow throughout the world.

Executive Director and Recovery Advocate

Christine Harrington-McShane

Experienced Lifestyle, Health, and Recovery Coaching professional within the Recovery, Health, and Wellness industry. Proven track record developing business opportunities and product adoption. Passionate brand ambassador with the ability to develop mutually beneficial relationships and opportunities. Website and Social Media Designer. Email

Press Officer for Sober St. Patrick's Day ®

John Lee

A "Communicator, Connector, Convener" with roots in Offaly, Clare, and Cork, John stepped off on New York’s “Irish Trail” in earnest 15 years ago when he helped promote the “Bards for St. Brigid’s” fundraiser to save the Lower East Side “Famine Church.” He’d serve on the board of the Irish American Writers and Artists and multiple board roles with the Irish Business Organization of New York, most recently as the IBO’s two-term “pandemic” president.

His efforts in diaspora engagement include moderating Ireland Day at the NYSE, serving as a Belfast Homecoming Ambassador and a New York New Belfast honorary chair, co-hosting with Dublin’s own Martin Nutty the podcast Irish Stew: Conversation for the Global Irish Nation, and serving as press officer for Sober St. Patrick’s Day.

Working as VP with Goodman Media International, John has helped several Irish clients raise their profile in the U.S.

Grand Celebration Music Director

John Whelan

John Whelan Music

Often hailed as one of the world’s best living Irish button accordion players, seven-time All-Ireland champion John Whelan has been praised for his “humor and high energy blend with impeccable musicianship” by The Wall Street Journal. John embodies the dichotomy of being forward-thinking while still deeply rooted in tradition. He fearlessly explores the creative reaches of music, artistry, and expression while carefully preserving the musical roots from which he originally flourished and passing those on to the next generation.

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Grand Celebration Producer

Mark Steele

Mark Steel has been the producer of the Sober St. Patrick's Day® Grand Celebration for years and we are always grateful for his expertise and dedication.

Actor. Producer. Director. Storyteller.

Michael (Mick) Mellamphy

Professional creative with over 30 years of experience in professional theatre, television, and motion capture performance. Seán MacGuire from RDR2

NYC Audio Engineer, Technical Director

Stefan Bensaid

Overlooking the design of Audio Visual needs for the Sober St. Patrick's Day® Grand Celebration. Operating Audio and Video hardware and software, as required on the event day.

Video Producer & Director

Edward Roy

With J6 Media Edward's passion is to deliver outstanding video content that propels the mission of his clients forward. With nearly 30 years of experience, leading hundreds of successful video projects, his boundless vision produces award-winning content that consistently archives its goal.

Founder, BBNY Group LLC , Irish Food Expert

Bridget Bray

BBNY Group, LLC is an experiential consultancy with a specialty in designing creative and engaging experiences for audiences. Projects include festivals, conferences, workshops, markets, catering programs, and afternoon tea salons - particularly on food, heritage, and history. From the initial consultation to the final design, content, and implementation, the commitment is to creating meaningful outcomes for all stakeholders. Bridget is also the founder of Puddings and Biscakes

Consultant & Grant Writer

Tami Ellen McLaughlin

Tami Ellen McLaughlin is a nonprofit leader with over four years of experience as the former Executive Director of Sober St. Patrick's Day®

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The Board

An Bhord of Sober St. Patrick’s Day plays a crucial role in the governance and decision-making of our mission and events.

Our Bhord consists of individuals appointed and requested to oversee our strategic direction and policies as we grow and create more opportunities to celebrate Irish culture and recovery. Our members are chosen for their expertise and experience in treatment and a passion for all things Irish.

We convene regularly to discuss and decide on important matters such as financial planning, personnel management, and long-term goals. An Bhord functions as a collective decision-making body, aiming to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective leadership within the organization. Our role is pivotal in shaping our mission and success, embodying a unique enthusiasm that are integral to Irish institutions.

In Irish, "The Board" can be translated as "An Bhord" or more formally as "An Bord."

Founder and Chairman

William Spencer Reilly

Former President/CEO National Association for Children of Addiction

Sis Wenger

Retired Executive Director New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers (InUnity Alliance).

John Coppola

Founder & Managing Director, Catholic Recruiter

Secretary/Treasurer for SSPD

Pat Lynch

Psychologist, Life Coach, Speaker, Best Selling Author

Patricia O'Gorman, PhD

Elizabeth Stack ED Irish American Heritage Museum.jpg

Education Director, Celtic Junction Arts Center, MN.

Elizabeth Stack, PhD.

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OUR STORY

2026 Performers All-Ireland Champion Musicians, Award Winning Dancers, & Surprise Guests

"The best Irish entertainment in NYC on St. Patrick's Day." – Irish Voice

A Grand Crew

The Board

In Irish, "The Board" can be translated as "An Bhord" or more formally as "An Bord."

Contact

2026 Performers
All-Ireland Champion Musicians, Award Winning Dancers, & Surprise Guests

"The best Irish entertainment in NYC on
St. Patrick's Day." – Irish Voice