New York Parade Committee Launches New Sponsor Seal

The New York City St. Patrick's Parade Committee unveiled a new seal design at a reception hosted at the Irish Consulate last Tuesday evening.

The Parade Committee created the unique design seal for businesses and sponsors to use in their advertising, brochures and places of business during Irish Heritage month, the month of March.

The purchase of the seal from the Committee by companies and business will not only help finance the Parade but will recognize their support of the oldest symbol of Irish heritage, faith and culture in the United States.

The seal design is in the official blue color of Ireland and has symbolism of Celtic heritage, Irish culture and Irish America.

In the design, Celtic heritage is represented by the Trinity Knot and Triple Spirals of Life, Irish culture is represented by the Harp and the Shamrock, and Irish America, a center piece of the design is represented by Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

"Because of the uniqueness of the design, we can see the seal becoming one of the most recognized symbol of Irish America," said John Dunleavy, the Chairman of the Parade Committee. "We envision the seal being used by businesses and companies throughout the United States during the month of March as we celebrate Irish heritage month.

"Businesses spend a lot of money attracting the Irish American customer and by having this seal in their marketing material and advertizing, I think they will be more successful," he concluded.

"We hope the seal will become recognized as the symbol of Irish heritage and culture in the United States, much like the five rings are recognized with the Olympics, when used by their sponsors in their advertising," said Hilary Beirne, Parade Secretary. "The seal is a symbol that is Irish yet American.

"The seal represents our ancient heritage and Irish American culture and is one the American population of Irish descent can embrace and call their own," he said.

The unique design is the results of months of collaboration between Hilary Beirne, Garry and Tom Cronin of Minuteman Press in Elmsford, John Dunleavy, Mike Gibbons, members of the Irish American community in New York and the Parade Committee.

The Parade Committee also asked members of the public who love Irish culture and heritage to support business and companies who proudly and prominently display the seal in their advertising and places of business.

For more information about the seal program visit the Parade's web site at NYCStPatricksParade.org