At the Christmas party in the midst of the merry proceedings one of our illustrious group members decided he was Gene Krupa and wrecked the drums. We went there because we were planning to hold a Christmas party at O’Hara’s. One night we decided to transfer our meeting to O’Hara’s bar on Route 9 just over the Sayerville border. The meeting began in a large room but gradually as the business began to grow we were moved to the bar area where we had trouble because the area was a public bar and too small for our growing organization. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newark and would be very receptive to an organization that originated principally to march in the Newark parade. The first general meeting was held at the Turf Club on Route 9. Next a way was devised to obtain the funds necessary to purchase materials (the labor was free, it was a labor of love) sufficient to build the building, mortgage and all. They kept the faith, and with the great courage, the leaders sought some property in Old Bridge and supported by the members, were able to acquire a site. All the while, they dreamed of one day having their own place to meet. On March 15, 1964, the organization marched in their first parade in Newark, and thereafter they met every month in the clubs and restaurants in Old Bridge (Madison Township). So in February 1964, a meeting was held at Fred’s Turf (Dorian Manor) on Route 9, and forty men accepted the challenge and became charter members of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh. This was the Irish tradition that the group wanted to perpetuate.ĭuring the initial meeting, it was also agreed upon that invitations to a general meeting to explain the organization would be extended to selected individuals of Irish ancestry who were believed to be worthy of membership. Patrick’s Day, many Americans turn “Irish” for a day and wear the color green. Patrick’s Day Parades have been held in Boston as early as 1737, and in New York as early as 1762. Patrick’s Day Parade, in order to pay tribute to the Patron Saint of Ireland. Jack Dunphy and Harry Knox explained to the group that evening they wanted to get an Irish group from Old Bridge together to march in the Newark St. One member recalls, "I came home from work one night in January 1964, and, amongst all of the bills I received a postcard inviting me to attend ‘The Organizational Meeting of the Friendly Sons of Shillelagh’, on Friday evening, 8:00 PM at 2 Clover Street, Old Bridge. This is especially true for a group of people who possess a reputation for good humor and good fellowship so it was only natural that in the daily pursuits of providing the means to raise their families, a group of local Irish gentlemen in New Jersey decided to get together. Having a common heritage tends to bring people together.
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