By Mike Kitsock
The Borough of Girardville, PA, host to the “Biggest Little Saint Patrick’s Day Parade east of the Mississippi,” has remained home to generations of Irish-Americans for well over a century. Rich deposits of Anthracite coal in the hills surrounding Girardville drew thousands of Irish immigrants to the town and the surrounding villages of Connerton, Lost Creek, and Mahanoy Plane, commencing in the 1840’s, and providing laborers for the area’s many coal mining operations.
The town of Girardville was named after Philadelphia financier, Stephen Girard, who owned large tracts of mining lands in the area. Established as a town in 1832, Girardville’s population swelled to over 5,000 people in the early 20th century with Irish-Catholics as the dominant ethnic group. Today the population of Girardville is approximately 1,800 residents.
No visit to Girardville is complete without a stop at Girardville’s most famous Irish pub, Jack Kehoe’s Hibernian House on Beech Street. Owned and operated by Joseph Wayne, great grandson of Jack Kehoe, the bar has remained in operation with the Kehoe / Wayne families since 1873.
Jack Kehoe was an early Irish labor supporter and an advocate for miners’ rights. It was possibly Kehoe’s prominence in the miner’s union that caused people to associate him with the alleged Molly Maguires. In the 1870s, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) was infiltrated by James McParlan, a Pinkerton detective. McParlan’s testimony later contributed to the conviction and eventual hanging of twenty men, all AOH members and Irish-Catholics. Jack Kehoe was one of the last men to be hanged for alleged Molly Maguire crimes.
Through the tireless efforts of Joseph Wayne, Jack Kehoe received a posthumous pardon by Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp in 1979, one hundred years after his death.
The Hibernian House displays many photographs, murals and artifacts of early Irish-American history, mining displays, and a lasting tribute to the Irish miners who lost their lives. Tours and visits to the Hibernian House can be arranged by calling Joe Wayne at 570-590-1826.
The 2019 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 30th. The parade commences at 12 noon and features numerous Irish pipe bands, marching divisions, floats, traditional bands, and comic units. Leading this year’s parade is the AOH Division 39 Honor Guard from Philadelphia.
Coming from Ireland for the 2019 Parade is a special banner in tribute to the Molly Maguires. Serving as grand marshals for this year’s parade are members of the Girardville Good Times Club, sponsors of numerous community events and youth activities for several decades.
The Girardville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade made history in 2008 when former President Bill Clinton joined the marchers and over 30,000 people flooded the town.
Festivities after the parade continue in and around the Hibernian House on Beech Street. A good dose of Coal Region Hospitality is ensured with a visit to Girardville on March 30.