Our 2025 Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal: Paddy Rooney.

Charitable Business-owner and well-respected Irish community member from County Down will lead the Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade as the 2025 Grand Marshal.

Paddy Rooney, originally from Castlewellan, County Down, arrived in Philadelphia in 1984. He was part of the Queens University Gaelic Football Team which toured Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. He became involved with the Kevin Barry Gaelic Football Club, a Club he would serve as Chairman for 11 years. He also became involved in the Philadelphia GAA Board serving as Chairman and Secretary for many years. Once he had children of his own, he became a founding member of the Delco Gaels Youth GAA team serving as their Chairman for five years. His involvement expanded to the National level when he became involved in the USGAA acting as Secretary for three years and as Chairman for two years. Paddy Rooney resides in Havertown where he also owns and successfully operates the well-known and loved “Paddy’s Rooney’s Pub.”

Upon his retirement from the GAA, Paddy became involved in serving on the boards of the Philadelphia Irish Golf Charities and Charlie Dunlop Memorial Fund — two charitable organizations focused on helping and supporting others in times of need. Paddy also assisted with and served in an advisory role to countless other fundraising benefits.

Paddy’s motto is “When many come together, it can lessen the burden of the few.”

Paddy Rooney is a charitable team-focused leader who has helped strengthen Gaelic Sport at the local, regional, and national levels. He is a go-to-guy for benefits in the community, and for the last forty years, his good works have been inspiring to others.

The 2025 Parade Theme is dedicated to those who serve and help others, which is perfectly aligned with our Grand Marshal: "St. Patrick, Bless Those Dedicated to Serving Others"

Join us in congratulating our 2025 Grand Marshal Paddy Rooney