Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade committee names grand marshal, sets contest deadline

A tradition that began more than 150 years ago will continue on March 16 when Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off at 10 a.m.

The parade committee has announced Robert Tierney, a native of County Dublin, Ireland, will serve as grand marshal of this year’s event.

Tierney first came to Pittsburgh in 1997. In 2001, he began working with the nonprofit Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, which he’s served as vice president. He oversaw the institute’s programs that offer extended work or internship opportunities for young people from Ireland and beyond.

He has served as chairperson, vice chair, treasurer and, most recently, youth officer of the nonprofit Pittsburgh Gaelic Athletic Association, which fields teams in Gaelic football. In 2023, he became the first head of operations and games development of the USGAA, which promotes the sports of hurling and Gaelic football in most of the United States.

Tierney is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 32 Sean McBride fraternal organization based in Carnegie.

In a parade committee Facebook post, Tierney said he will wear the grand marshal sash to represent “the tireless work of thousands of Irish American volunteers, throughout this region and beyond. We stand on the shoulders of those that have come before us, and ensure that our traditions, culture and sports are kept alive and well for future generations to experience and love.”

In early March, the committee plans to announce the winner of the Miss Smiling Irish Eyes contest. The contest is open to single Pittsburgh-area females ages 17-22 who can claim Irish birth or descent. Contestant applications are due before Feb. 23. Visit misssmilingirisheyespgh.com for details.

Parade officials say about one-fifth of residents in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area can claim some Irish roots.