SEE PHOTOS- Maureen O'Hara - Grand Marshall of Kealkill Parade in West Cork 2011
The tiny West Cork village of Kealkill pulled off a coup this year getting Hollywood legend Maureen O’Hara to be grand marshal of their Patrick’s Day parade.
Ninety year-old O’Hara, one-time grand marshal for the New York St. Patrick’s Day parade, generously agreed to lead the rural community’s second annual parade.
Looking as glamorous as always, the Hollywood actress was dressed in a bottle green coat and shamrock emblazoned scarf for the event.
“I bumped into Maureen O’Hara at an event in Castletownbere.” explained local farmer and Patrick’s Day parade organizer John McCarthy.
“She seemed very friendly, so I just asked her. She said ‘yes’ there and then! I couldn’t believe it. She’s very good to the area.”
Ms O’Hara lead the parade of a dozen or so floats in a classic Mercedes sports car, festively decked with balloons and flags. The excitement in the crowd was clear as the parade completed its short run from the church to the creamery, before turning back to the village’s central crossroads.
The day was chilly but the glamorous, warmly-wrapped star was clearly determined not to let that spoil the fun. The formalities over, she joined revelers in Collins’ Bar, one of the village’s two watering holes.
Having spent much of the last thirty five years in West Cork, Maureen O'Hara has frequently shown that she cares passionately about local development. Her ambitious vision for a drama school and 'legacy centre' in Glengarriff, West Cork, is rapidly becoming a reality.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Seanmor | Feb 29, 2012, 03:17 PM EST
I once got close enough to Maureen O'Hara to take her picture. It was at the Cork dance in March, 1985, and Maureen was at the dias with other dignitaries, including Grand Marshall Peter King and officials from the Irish consulate- who would boycott the parade because of King's concern about the injustice suffered by Nationalists in the North of Ireland. One could feel the tention in the atmosphere as speches were made by the VIPs. When it came to Maureen's turn to speak,, she took a long sheet of paper from her purse, cast it aside and said: "I'm not going to read this long speech. I'll recite a short poem instead". Then the famous actress thrilled her audience with a beautiful rendition "The Mother" by Pádraig Pearse. Whenever I recall that event of more that a quarter century ago, I feel enormously proud of Maureen and of Pearse for sincere love of the whole Irish nation.
oaklongan | Jun 28, 2011, 05:32 AM EDT
Maureen O'Hara, a unique and rare Beauty. The Quiet Man is a Masterpiece. They don't make 'em like her anymore.
manhattan | Mar 21, 2011, 02:39 PM EDT
Murphy 66, Maureen sued the Enquirer for printing the false story about her and she won. Why did you even bring it up? She is a lady through and through and always did her best for America and her native land of Ireland.
shenanigans | Mar 21, 2011, 10:20 AM EDT
Maureen is lovely! A true Irish Lass!
sullivab | Mar 21, 2011, 09:33 AM EDT
Ironic timing - my daughter in law has a customer in her salon (Eagle, Idaho) who is related by marriage to Maureen O'Hara and we were just talking about her last week. She only remembered her vaguely so I was able to send her this article. I have always enjoyed her spirited aura and glad to see she is active and looking beautiful as ever. Thank you.
Towngate | Mar 21, 2011, 06:37 AM EDT
DON'T WORRY: sirpit, no award for excellence will ever concern you. ~ ~ ~ Btw: If somebody posts something you don't agree with,it does not mean they have a 'split personality';it indicates your appalling inability to understand it. That's all!
sirpeter | Mar 20, 2011, 03:28 PM EDT
Creakygate..Do you suffer from a split personality or something?What do you care about the recognition of personal achievement by an Irish person. You hate everything Irish.All you do is undermine everything Irish."The Emerald Gem" - for outstanding contribution to Ireland' you suggest. I can see your moaning posts already criticizing our every Emerald Gem *rolls eyes
jerryoneill | Mar 20, 2011, 01:45 PM EDT
I'd say a much better choice than Bloomberg
pugsmom | Mar 20, 2011, 09:59 AM EDT
I had the great, good fortune of meeting Ms. O'Hara, as she was a neighbor of my parents', many years ago in Christianstead, St. Croix, USVI. She looks as impressive, still, as she did back then!
irishimport | Mar 19, 2011, 11:03 PM EDT
Can't believe how good she looks for 90 yrs. old!
Gearoid4 | Mar 19, 2011, 09:15 PM EDT
Maureen is still a beautiful and classy lady. May she enjoy many years of good health and happiness.
Laura Wilson | Mar 19, 2011, 09:01 PM EDT
So great to see you are so full of Life you truly amaze me and I want to thank you for the Picture you sent me I will treasure it always. May god Bless you.
Caithleen | Mar 19, 2011, 08:20 PM EDT
A very beautiful Miss. O'Hara.
Towngate | Mar 19, 2011, 05:13 PM EDT
THIS NEW GOVERNMENT AND COMING PRESIDENT should establish an Irish Award Commission to oversee a system and criteria of recognition of personal achievement by an Irish person. I respectfully submit this suggestion; that perhaps this beloved website IrishCentral could play a part in getting the ball rolling. ~ ~ ~ I suggest it should be called : "The Emerald Gem" - for outstanding contribution to Ireland'.
skydiver15000 | Mar 19, 2011, 04:40 PM EDT
God bless you Miss O'Hara!!!! You are still beutiful!!!!!
sirpeter | Mar 19, 2011, 04:04 PM EDT
90yrs of age..Wow!!
mollycolleen | Mar 19, 2011, 01:23 PM EDT
Miss O'Hara was always my father's favorite actress. It's grand to see that even at ninety, with all her success, she still has the Irish charm.
mamaginnty | Mar 19, 2011, 12:50 PM EDT
A very clever woman at 90yrs. She really did a lot to put Ireland on the map with the "Quiet Man" She should be given some sort of reward from Ireland before it is to late. Wonder who we should aproach on that subject.
seabeetom | Mar 19, 2011, 12:35 PM EDT
GOD BLESS YOU, MARY KATE DANAHER.
donal1951 | Mar 19, 2011, 11:52 AM EDT
I realise she doesn't seem to feel slighted, but in my not so humble opinion, she deserves an Oscar for lifetime achievement. Perhaps for her it is a greater honour to lead the St. Patrick's Day parade in Glengarriff, giving back to her own.
luckysusan | Mar 19, 2011, 11:42 AM EDT
She is a legend for good reason - beauty, elegance,and a generous spirit - what class!
Towngate | Mar 19, 2011, 10:00 AM EDT
WHY HAS SHE not been crowned the "Queen of Ireland" she is truly magnificent and deserves all praise! - especially for surviving the otherwise excellent John Wayne's 'acting oversight' in the graveyard courting scene in "The Quiet Man". Shur, an' wasn't the poor Divil way out of his depth with her! Long may she and Princess Mia reign.
rosyposy | Mar 19, 2011, 09:57 AM EDT
fantastic! she is lovely! i wish everday was as happy as "st patricks day"
cillowen | Mar 19, 2011, 09:36 AM EDT
way to go, little town of west cork.
MicheleMc | Mar 19, 2011, 09:31 AM EDT
She's still as beautiful as she was in "The Quiet Man" !!
Gemini51 | Mar 19, 2011, 09:24 AM EDT
She is simply magnificent!