A day in the life of Hilary Beirne

A Brief Introduction

I grew up on a farm in County Roscommon where my father was the local veteran surgeon, and I come from a family of ten. I went to St Mary’s College, Boyle, Co Roscommon for my secondary education. Then I attended University College Galway, University College Dublin, Atlantic Technology University Mountbellew Campus, and Hunter College at the City University of New York. While studying at home (Ireland) and abroad, I obtained a Certificate in Agriculture, a Degree in Agricultural Science, and a Master’s in Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences. For thirty years, I worked as an educator in New York and before that, I worked in the west of Ireland with farmers introducing the wrapping of the baled silage, then an innovation in the late 80’s, that is now seen all over Ireland.

I have volunteered at the New York City’s St Patrick’s Day Parade for the past thirty years, and in the past year, I have had a new role, that is coordinating a global network of Irish citizens who seek representation in Ireland for the 1 million Irish born nationals (20% of Ireland’s population) who live abroad.  This role has resulted in being asked to stand for the Seanad (senate) in the next election to represent them.

1. How does your normal day begin? 

Most days I rise around 7:00 am, make coffee, then review the news, and social media, and reply to emails. My emails relate to the NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade, Irish and Irish American affairs and my bid to obtain a Senate (Seanad) seat in the National University of Ireland (NUI) constituency to represent the more than 50% of NUI graduates who live abroad, as well as the broader Irish community that lives globally, as no one represent them or their interests in Ireland. We hope to change that!

2. What are your biggest daily challenges?

Most days are not long enough. The biggest challenge is finding time for family, as I complete the numerous tasks I execute daily. In February & March alone, I receive more than 200 parade-related emails daily, and it can be a real challenge to deal with them while ensuring that planning for the world’s largest Parade is done in time for St Patrick’s Day every March 17. This coming year, with my new role representing the Irish globally, and standing for the Senate in Ireland that task will become more stimulating and challenging.

3. What do you love most about your job? 

Every day is new and comes with new challenges. Over the years, I’ve had to privilege and honour to meet and work with absolutely amazing people. Every Parade is different, and I feel so proud to be Irish when I see the hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world on the Streets of New York every March 17, celebrating St Patrick’s Day and know I had a hand in its production.

In my new role, I enjoy meeting new people, particularly the recent young Irish emigrant, hearing their sad stories of leaving Ireland (home) for economic reasons and opportunity abroad, their plans to return when the time comes, and their pleads for representation so they remain connected to Ireland.

I am so energised by them and look forward to working with them on what we consider a necessary mission of change. I am amazed by the number of people who have expressed their appreciation for what we are trying to achieve both in Ireland and abroad, particularly parents of children abroad. If successful, this will be the first time in the history of the Irish state, that Ireland will have someone to represent the exiled children of Ireland, as enshrined in the 1916 proclamation.

4. What do you do to relax?

 I like to listen to music by such artists as Moya Brennan, Enya, Christy Moore, Loreena McKennitt, Cara Dillion, Kate Wolf, Amy Macdonald etc.

I also enjoy watching mysteries on TV as well as going to the movies with my family. I get a great sense of satisfaction doing things with my hands such as gardening, mechanics, plumbing, electrical, computers and carpentry.   

5. Favourite staycation destination in Ireland? 

Dublin and surrounding areas, such as Glendalough, Trinity College, Newgrange, and of course Lough Key, Co Roscommon where I grew up. I find the 5000-year-old history and construction of Newgrange amazing. Trinity, Lough Key, and Glendalough are simply beautiful places to visit and walk around.

6. Favourite holiday destination worldwide? 

Italy. I enjoyed visiting Venice, Florence, Bologna & Rome with all the beautiful buildings, food, scenery (especially Tuscany) and history. During a visit, I was privileged to be able to be part of a small group who were allowed to walk on the 2000-year-old Roman streets under St. Peter’s Basilica and say a prayer at the tomb of St Peter.

7. Favourite Business motto?                                                                                      If you see something that should be changed for the good, why not try to change it?   You never fail if you keep trying! You only fail when you stop, so never stop trying.

Additional Information

My Involvement with the St Patrick’s Day Parade

I am particularly well known for my role in the organization of the iconic New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade. This Parade is considered the world’s oldest (since 1762) and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world. Annually, we host a 5-hour parade in New York City, with approx. 180,000 to 200, 000 marchers (no floats), we produce a four-hour TV broadcast that is live-streamed to approx. 3 million viewers worldwide, we also host several fund-raising events throughout the year to ensure the Parade is fully funded and publish 10,000 journals for the Parade participants and spectators. For the past 25 years, I have served as a member of the Parade’s Board of Directors, Executive Secretary Director and Chief Administrative Officer.

Currently, I am the Chairman of the St Patrick’s Day Foundation, NYC, an organization I founded in 2012 with other like-minded members of the Irish community to fund the Parade. My principal function at the Parade is the organization of the logistics of the parade, such as physical and virtual meetings with affiliated organizations, financial management ensuring the Parade is funded, ensuring Parade publications are produced, coordinating social media messaging, as well as the production of parade events and the Parade itself. All of this could not be done without a team of volunteers, of which we are very appreciative.