Alerts Sign-up
An initiative called Sober St. Patrick's Day is striving to shift the focus of March 17 celebrations back to Ireland's patron saint, St. Patrick, and his spiritual journey. Traditionally in the U.S., this day has been associated with Irish-themed festivities often involving alcohol. However, Bill Reilly, who founded Sober St. Patrick’s Day over a decade ago, aims to change this narrative.
“At least in New York, and I’m sure this is true virtually everywhere, most people are not celebrating St. Patrick,” Reilly told OSV News. “And they’re not really sure why they’re celebrating except to have a good old time."
The 2025 event marks the 14th year of the gathering and will be held on March 17 at the Church of Our Saviour in New York City's Murray Hill neighborhood following the city's iconic parade honoring St. Patrick.
This year's entertainment features two all-Ireland champion musicians—fiddler Brian Conway and button accordionist John Whelan—alongside pipers, dancers, and other performers. Tickets can be purchased at soberstpatricksday.org where participants can also sign up to march with the nonprofit’s contingent.
Reilly was inspired in 2011 to create an alcohol-free celebration that showcases Irish music and dance while highlighting St. Patrick's life as a fifth-century saint known for evangelizing Ireland after escaping slavery there.
Born into a Romanized family in Britain, St. Patrick was captured by Irish raiders at age 16 and enslaved for six years during which he developed a deep prayer life before returning to Ireland as a missionary after escaping.
Reilly shared last year that St. Patrick’s “Confession” had significantly impacted him: "I think the video has gotten such attention … because it’s landed in a place where people who thought they knew a lot about Patrick didn’t take into account that aspect of his evangelizing and of his life," he said.
Another aspect emphasized by Reilly is fostering connections across generations through shared experiences: "It’s really about interrelationship among human beings," he explained using traditional Irish culture which fosters communal interaction exemplified by traditional music allowing young children to dance alongside elders.
Gina Christian reports for OSV News on X @GinaJesseReina.
