Hilary Thomas Beirne (born January 6, 1961) is the Irish born Founding Chairman of New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day Foundation, and the Chief Administrative Officer (C.A.O.) of the New York City’s St Patrick’s Day Parade [1], the world’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, established in 1762, fourteen years before the establishment of the United States of America.
He is a Science Educator in Westchester County, New York, a member of the Irish Ad Hoc Committee to Defend the Good Friday Agreement, Washington DC, and serves as a member of the Executive Committee and Advisory Board at Voting rights.ie. Hilary Beirne is also a member of the County Roscommon Society of New York, and the County Leitrim Society of New York.
Q 1- How does your normal day begin?
Most days I rise most days around 6:30 am. Before making coffee, I review the news, social media, and reply to emails related to the NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade or Irish American affairs. Then it’s off to work teaching.
Q 2- What are your biggest daily challenges?
Most days are not long enough. The biggest challenge is finding time to complete the numerous tasks I execute daily in a timely fashion. In the month of February & March, I receive more than 200 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.
Q3- What do you love most about your job?
Every day is new and comes with new challenges. In teaching, it is so refreshing and rewarding working with students who are eager to learn (most days), in the Parade arena it is fantastic to meet people from all over the world. Over the years, I’ve had to privilege and honour to meet some amazing people, people who I would read about when I was younger, and now I call friends.
Every Parade is different, and it makes me feel proud to see the hundreds of thousands of people on the streets of New York every March 17, celebrating St Patrick’s Day and know I had a hand in its production.
Q 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 drama 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, mechanic, plumbing, electrical, computers and carpentry.
Q 5-Favourite staycation destination in Ireland and why?
Dublin and the surrounding areas, such as Glendalough, Trinity College, Newgrange. I find the 5000-year-old history and construction of Newgrange absolutely amazing. Trinity College and Glendalough are simply beautiful places to visit and walk around.
Q 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 from the US to walk on the 2ooo-year-old Roman streets under St. Peter’s Basilica and say a prayer at the tomb of St Peter.
Q 7-Favourite Business motto? I have 2 mottos which I share frequently.
Keep moving forward and upward, because we have to!
You never fail if you keep trying! You only fail when you stop, so never stop trying.
Q 8. Advice for young business entrepreneurs
Get educated! Education develops the brain and exposes one to ideas. Once you have an open mind, new and fresh ideas evolve that will light the way forward for a successful business.
There is no substitute for hard work, so work hard (don’t forget family), take all opportunities no matter how small, as success in small tasks builds confidence to tackling bigger tasks. Just remember, do make time for family.
Check out this amazing video below on Brand Irish, Slainte
