Hooley happiness in City of Glen Cove

Christine Rice, the grand marshal of the 2024 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Day Parade, was installed at a grand Irish party, traditionally called a “hooley” on Feb. 17 at St. Rocco Parish Hall as was Patricia Victoria, the aide to the grand marshal. Both received Irish sashes from Lisa Forgione, the parade chairwoman, on behalf of the Glen Cove parade committee.  

A hooley is a word associated with a lively, informal Irish house party. It’s a tradition that dates back in Ireland and Irish America to the days before radio and TV and still exists today. 

The party centers around the idea of presenting a “party piece,” a form of entertainment, which can be a song or a tune on an instrument, step dance, poem, recitation, joke or a story.

All proceeds from the hooley in Glen Cove went to support the Glen Cove Sage Foundation, benefitting the Glen Cove Senior Center and NOSH Delivers, a non-profit organization that brings food to local families that struggle with food insecurity. 

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place Sunday, March 17 at 1 p.m. with an after-party at St. Patrick’s Church starting at 2:30 p.m.