The Basilica of St. Mary community in Alexandria gathered on a rainy Saturday afternoon to celebrate the 2024 St. Patrick Irish Hooley in the packed basilica school gym March 9. More than 400 people, many dressed in green, showed up to enjoy Irish music, food, drinks, dancing and a silent auction and raffle. Organized by the Frank Herbert-Pat Cady Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Alexandria, the annual event raised a record $11,000 for Catholic Charities Christ House.
Father Edward C. Hathaway greeted the sold-out crowd with a prayer, the Lorica by St. Patrick. The afternoon featured performances by local Irish musician Pat Garvey, the Boyle School of Irish Dance, the O’Neill James School of Irish Dance, singer Tom McCuin and the Rose of Tralee, Siobhán Spiak. The afternoon was catered by Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub and featured traditional Irish fare, including shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, corned beef and cabbage.
