The 2025 Hooley Provides a Great Time and Raises a Record Amount of Money for Christ House

 

The Basilica parish celebrated Irish heritage Sunday afternoon, March 9, during the fun-filled 2025 Saint Patrick Irish Hooley at the Basilica School gym. The color green was prevalent among approximately 400 people who showed up to listen to Irish music, food, drinks, dancing and a silent auction and raffle. The event was organized by the Frank Herbert-Pat Cady Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) in Alexandria; it raised a record amount of money — $13,000 — for a local charity.

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, greeted the sold-out crowd with a prayer that was found on the back of the Saint Patrick prayer cards on all the tables. The afternoon featured performances by local Irish musician, Pat Garvey; the Boyle School of Irish Dance; the O’Neill James School of Irish Dance; and singer Tom McCuin. The Rose of Tralee, Siobhán Spiak, was present. The Alexandria Pipes and Drums closed the afternoon with rousing music. The Hooley also featured the “Our Father” prayer recited in Gaelic by Mary Ellen O’Leary, the Basilica’s stewardship and annual fund programs officer and her great uncle, Father John McLaughlin, a retired priest, who was visiting from Roxbury, MA. The afternoon was catered by Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub and featured traditional Irish fare, including shepherd’s pie, fish, and corned beef.

The event was a fundraiser for Christ House, a program of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Arlington, which provides food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless and clothing to those in need. A $13,000 check — the most ever raised by the AOH for the Hooley — was presented to Sister Aniliza Juan, Christ House’s volunteer coordinator, on behalf of the Basilica of Saint Mary and AOH. Thank you to all who participated in a great afternoon of fun!