By Katie Vasquez
Amid the sea of green and Guinness flowing along Fifth Avenue, one group is offering a different way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day — one that puts heritage, history, and community ahead of alcohol.
Now in its 15th year, the Sober St. Patrick’s Day event was founded by William Spencer Reilly, who sought to shift the holiday’s focus away from binge drinking and back to its cultural roots.
This year’s celebration is being hosted at the Ukrainian Institute of America, a historic Gilded Age mansion on East 79th Street — just steps from where the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade concludes.
Organizers say the partnership between Irish and Ukrainian communities is intentional, rooted in shared histories of hardship and resilience.
“There’s a long common heritage and mentality of our peoples,” one organizer said. “The Irish have been subject to colonial powers for centuries, and Ukrainians have also lived under colonial rule. Our cultures have been suppressed, and we are both fighting for a rebirth and reestablishment of ancient traditions.”
The parallels run deep. Ukraine endured a devastating famine under Soviet rule that claimed millions of lives — a tragedy often compared to Ireland’s Great Famine. Both nations also share similar timelines in their struggles for independence and ongoing efforts to preserve their cultural identities.
“With what’s going on today, Ukraine is still facing foreign occupation,” the organizer added. “In many ways, the histories align. It felt like a natural partnership.”
After marching in the parade, participants will gather at the institute to continue the celebration into the evening, featuring traditional Irish and Ukrainian cuisine, music, and cultural programming.
While the crowds outside may raise a pint, this event offers a quieter, more reflective alternative — one that honors the enduring spirit of two nations bound by history, struggle, and pride.