Bayonne St. Patrick’s Parade Names Gabrielle Figueroa 2023 Grand Marshal, Plans Brunch Honoring Her on February 26

Gabrielle’s maternal grandmother, Kathleen, hails from Convoy in County Donegal, and her maternal grandfather, Patrick, emigrated from Doonbeg, County Clare.  Gaby began taking Irish dancing lessons at the age of four with dance master Peter Smith, and later competed at Oireachtas under Alison and Jennifer Nagle at the DeNogla School. Gaby remains active in the Irish dancing community and volunteers annually at feisanna for both DeNogla and the United Irish Counties Association of New York.

Gabrielle has been an integral part of the Parade Committee since joining in 2013.  Currently, she serves as Vice Chair of the Committee, and has served as the Parade Coordinator since 2019.  She is a past contingent coordinator for the Donegal Association, and was recognized as the Aide for the Donegal Association in 2017. Gabrielle is also the Secretary for the Bayonne Irish Festival, and works closely with her sister on the Bayonne Mary from Dungloe.

Gabrielle serves as the President of the Hudson County School Counselor Association, and was named the New Jersey School Counselors Association’s Counselor of the County in 2020.  She works on the scholarship committee of the Dan Finn Foundation, and is also an active member of her parish community of St. Michael’s in Jersey City.

The 2023 Aides to the Grand Marshal are Alison Conway (County Cork Association), Melanie McBride (County Donegal Association), Patrick Donovan (Irish American League), and Mary Ellen Calverley Page (Shamrock Society).  They will be honored at the Irish flag-raising ceremony at Bayonne City Hall on Friday, March 3, at 5:00 p.m.

The annual parade Mass will take place at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Bayonne on Sunday, February 26, at 10:30. Immediately following that Mass, Gabrielle will be honored at the Grand Marshal’s Brunch, which will take place at the Chandelier Restaurant at 54th St. and Broadway.   Tickets are available for purchase prior to February 19 for $40/adult and $20/children. Please reach out to [email protected]. Tickets are available at the door day-of for $50/adult.