The St. Patrick Society of Peoria
was founded by five lonely Irishmen in a downtown Peoria pub one cold January afternoon in 1980. The founders (Jack Cassidy, Ed Dwyer, Bob Mahoney, Bill O’Connell and Dick Parsons) wanted to promote and celebrate our Irish heritage; to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland; and to make a positive contribution to our community. It was decided to have a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Since then the parade has been held every March 17.

In 1980, to finance this great parade, Jim Hancock started the Peoria Erin Feis. Erin Feis began in ancient Ireland six or seven centuries before Christ at Tara, the seat of the kings of Ireland and one of the Emerald Isle’s most beautiful hills. The purpose of this feis was to bring together the many clans to review and make laws.

Of course, while the clan leaders legislated and pontificated, their clansmen and families danced, sang songs, played games and gorged themselves on great food and drink.

Since our founding in 1980 the St. Patrick Society has had many great leaders as President and we would like you to know who they were. In every case they donated an unbelievable amount of time and energy to make the Society grow.

1980 Bob Maloney 1990 Leo Jordon
1982 Robert Sloan 1991 Mark Cealey
1984 Don Grieves 1992 Bob Spears
1985 Dick Parsons 1993 Jean Gorman
1986 Jim Hancock 1994 Karen Spaulding
1987 Jack Kenny 1996 John L. Martin
1988 Jim Spears 1998 Larry McEnroe
1989 Jay Flanagan 2000 Tim Doyle