Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen and Court are 100% Concordian

The United Irish Societies (UIS) of Montreal’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a tradition built on resilience, inclusion, and community spirit. A celebration of Irish heritage, the parade has long been a unifying event for Montrealers of all backgrounds.

This year’s theme, “Emerald Connections: Celebrating 200 Years of Irish Heritage and Unity in Montreal,” is meant to promote the city’s multiculturalism, celebrate Irish Heritage, and highlight the importance of inclusion and community.

‘Not Just About One Day in March’

Since its foundation in 1928, the UIS has ensured that the parade remains a symbol of the Irish contribution to Montreal’s history, dating back to the early 19th century. The parade honours the significant role the Irish played in building the city — from labouring on the Lachine Canal to surviving the hardships of the Great Famine immigration in 1847.

The UIS remains deeply involved in charitable and cultural activities year round.

“It’s not just about one day in March,” notes Lauren Tracey, advertising, public relations and vice president of the UIS. “It’s a year-round commitment to history, community and celebration.”

Last year, the UIS invited the Grand Marshal of the Parade to select a charity of personal significance to be the recipient of the proceeds from the annual “Breakfast with Paddy” fundraising event. “We have decided to make a tradition of this,” notes Tracey. “It enables the Irish community to support a variety of charitable organizations in the Montreal area, and the Grand Marshal to make a meaningful, enduring impact.”

Concordia Royalty

The Concordia community will feature prominently in the 2025 parade — a discovery that was made backstage at the Queen Selection event. This year’s Queen, Amanda Keating, and Princesses, Madison Lalonde, Alexia Brausewetter-Day, Kasey Lamer and Bernice Djaballah are all current or former Concordia students.

“We realized that more than half the contestants were connected to Concordia,” says Keating. “That the final five selected are all current students or recent graduates is an especially happy coincidence given the prominence of Concordia’s School of Irish Studies.”

“The School of Irish Studies demonstrates a desire to conserve and learn about Irish history and traditions,” says Brausewetter-Day. “The Irish community is vital to Montreal and it is important that we celebrate our ancestors and acknowledge the hardships they experienced.” 

“It was great to see the diversity of the student body at Concordia somewhat coalesce into the Queen and Court,” adds Lalonde. “We all have different interests and are studying/studied different things, but we were brought together out of pride for our Irish heritage and a desire to represent our community on this important date.”

An Empowering Experience

The Queen and Princesses each expressed a deep sense of pride in their involvement in the many cultural and charity events including the annual UIS Christmas Baskets campaign.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the Montreal Irish community,” says Lalonde. “From brightening patients’ days at The Montreal Children’s Hospital and The Shriners’ Hospital, to participating in events organized from our sister societies in and around Montreal, to the upcoming parade where we’re expecting about 700,000 attendees.

“Being a Princess for the 200th Montreal St Patrick’s Day parade, alongside these incredible women, has been a great experience. I cannot wait to celebrate the Montreal Irish community this Sunday, and to honour all the great things our ancestors have done to build the city we all call home.”

Each of the women also noted feeling a sense of accomplishment in their ability to fulfill the requirements of their positions and of the competition itself.

“Throughout this experience, I have been most impressed with our commitment and ability to present ourselves,” notes Brausewetter-Day. “I take great pride in having participated in the public speaking contest — seeing what I am capable of. I know my fellow Queen and Court feel the same. This whole experience has been one of female empowerment.”

“The UIS truly feels like a big family,” notes Lamer. “They are infinitely kind, hardworking and helpful. It will be quite sad, after the parade ends, to have this rollercoaster adventure come to a close — but I’m happy to have become a part of this wonderful community and will cherish it for years to come.”

Keating thinks the title of ‘Queen’ will only sink in once she is atop the float. “I am looking forward to the rest of the green season and to maintaining my involvement within the Irish community. It has been an honour to represent the United Irish Society, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by a court of amazing women and dignitaries who have welcomed me as their own.

“I must say, all the events have started to feel like true ‘Irish kitchen parties’!”

Montreal’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade has never been canceled due to weather. Postponed only for WWII and the COVID-19 pandemic, it has marched through snow, rain, and cold — embodying the resilience of the Irish spirit. The 200th Edition of the parade will take place this Sunday, March 16.

Find out more about Concordia’s School of Irish Studies.

Follow the United Irish Societies website, parade site or social media for more info — Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. The route is viewable here.