Advocating for Irish citizens at home and abroad.
Hilary Beirne was born and raised in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland. An educator by profession, he is best known for his involvement and role as C.A.O. with the iconic, New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade which dates back to 1762.
Beirne maintains a deep connection with Ireland and is a strong advocate for Irish Citizens living abroad.
Beirne attended universities on both sides of the Atlantic, University College Galway, University College Dublin, the Franciscan Agricultural College, Mountbellew Co Galway, and The City University of New York at Hunter College.
After graduating from UCD with a Bachelors in Agricultural Sciences, he spent a few years as an agricultural advisor with keen interest in technology. During his tenure, Beirne spearhead the introduction of the wrapping of baled silage to the West of Ireland.
In1988. He set his sights on the United States and True to his sense of community, two weeks after landing he began volunteering at the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Little did he know at the time how that decision would shape his life!Decades later Beirne remains proudly dedicated to ensuring the continued smooth execution of the world’s largest and oldest St Patrick’s Day Parade. He is responsible for coordinating logistics and introducing technological advances.
The parade is a mammoth annual undertaking, and Hilary Beirne has worked diligently to maintain the traditional nature of the parade, emphasizing its historical roots and the participation of various Irish organizations, cultural groups, and marching bands. He values the parade’s inclusivity, welcoming people of all backgrounds to participate and attend the event. His contribution helps solidify the parade’s reputation as a cherished tradition and a symbol of Irish pride across the world. In 2012, with like-minded individuals Beirne founded the New York City St Patrick’s Day Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to supports all aspects of the Parade.
Hilary Beirne is the founding Chairman of the NYC St Patrick’s Day Foundation, a member of the Executive Board at VotingRights.ie; an honorary member of the famed “Fighting 69th” (Fighting Irish) Regiment in New York; member of the Irish Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement in Washington; Board member of the 69th Historical Trust; and a member of both the Roscommon and Leitrim Societies of New York.
Beirne’s vision, leadership and dedication are major contributors to the New York St Patrick’s Parade’s continued success and its establishment as the greatest iconic annual celebration of Irish culture and heritage in the world.
His continued leadership and commitment to everything Irish and, advocating for Irish Citizens living abroad, has earned him widespread recognition and respect within the Irish and American communities across the globe.
Beirne is a science educator with a focus on emerging technologies and is married to Marguerite Carvajal Beirne, Commissioner of Technology and C.I.O. of Westchester County, NY. They live in Larchmont, New York with their son, Connor.
