The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Beachwood dance school founder third female to lead St. Patrick’s Day Parade
It’s been a landmark year for Murphy Irish Arts Center founder Sheila Murphy Crawford.
Not only does 2018 mark the Beachwood-based school’s 40th anniversary. Crawford also earned the privilege of serving as grand marshal of the 176th Annual Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade - an achievement realized by only two other women in the parade’s history.
When asked, amid the bustling pre-parade preparations March 17 near where the procession stepped off at the corner of Superior Avenue and E. 18 Street, how she felt about being named grand marshal, Crawford seemed beside herself.
“Oh my gosh! It’s the highest honor I think I could have,” she said as her students and center alumni readied themselves for the parade. “It’s just so wonderful to represent the Irish community in Cleveland because it’s so strong and they work so hard for our Irish heritage. So it’s just really special.”
Crawford, who still teaches classes at Murphy Irish Arts Center, said nominations for the parade’s coveted grand marshal position take place in November through the consortium of Greater Cleveland Irish heritage societies known as the United Irish Societies.
“There are 30
organizations that run this parade and they work together as a unit. Every society is allowed to nominate someone and I was nominated by the Irish American Club - East Side,” she said. “I ran against three other men and I won. I’m only the third woman who’s done it and the parade’s 176 years old, so it’s pretty special.”
Her students seemed to think it was a pretty special thing, too.
“This is awesome,” said Hugh O’Neill, a junior at Mentor High School who has been training at Murphy Irish Arts Center for 11 years. “We love Murphy’s and Sheila Crawford is just awesome.”
Hugh said this was his 10th year participating in the parade and it’s something he really enjoys.
“It’s just fun to come and see all the other groups doing the parade. And it’s always fun to represent Murphy’s in a parade this big,” he said, adding that some of his favorite parade features include watching all the floats go by and getting a chance to pet all the dogs many participants bring along with them as they march past the thousands of parade fans who line Superior Avenue between 18th Street and Public Square.
He said he also thinks it’s a treat that the event is televised, especially because he’s the only one from Mentor who’s involved.
“My friends think it’s really cool that I get to be in the parade and walk down Superior,” he said. “And there’s TV coverage, so they always try to see if they can see me on TV, which is fun.”
Another Murphy’s constituent - 9-year-old Megan Master, who came to the parade with her mom, Karen - said she was a little conflicted about her debut in the parade.
“I’m honestly super excited,” she said. “But I’m also kind of nervous.”
Megan, who lives in Bainbridge Township and is in the fourth grade at Kenston Elementary School, said she’s been a Murphy’s Irish dancer since she was four and it was time to step up to the plate and join the ranks of those who have marched before her.
“It just got to the point where I have to start marching,” she said, adding that she felt ready to take her place in the parade and was proud to do so. “I like to dance and show the culture to everyone.”
Sisters 10-year-old Maisie and 11-year-old Sadie Nawrocki from Willoughby, who came to the parade with their mom, Bridget, said it’s the second year marching in the parade and they were excited to take part.
“I think it’s really fun to be here with everybody marching in downtown Cleveland,” Sadie said. “I’m really excited.” Her sister concurred. “I’m really excited, too,” she said.
Their mom said the size of the parade adds to the excitement for everyone. Plus, it’s a trip down memory lane for her.
“It’s great to get to be a part of such a big event,” she said. “And, I mean, Oh my gosh! I’ve been coming down to the parade since I was a kid and now, to have my own kids in it and representing Murphy’s Irish Arts just makes it so much fun.”
Maisie added how proud she is of Crawford’s place in the parade.
“I’m really proud of her because she’s only the third woman in 176 years of the parade to get to do that,” she said.
The 176th edition of the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade was also unique in that, not only did it feature the event’s third female grand marshal. Each of its four honorees were women, including Irish Mother of the Year Joan (Hartnett) Reali, Inside Co-Chair Noreen Halley and Outside CoChair Linda Burke.
In a February 4 email about Crawford being named grand marshal, Karen Master said she thinks that’s a noteworthy feature of the 2018 parade.
“At a time when diversity matters more than ever, this is something to celebrate,” her message reads.
The Murphy’s crew were far from the only ones doing some celebrating, however, as the parade’s announcer estimated some 15,000 were in attendance.
Two of those folks – Cleveland residents Lisa and Ray Rogers – rode their bikes to the parade and seemed to be enjoying themselves quite a bit on them.
“This is our first year coming down on the bikes,” Ray said. “So far, it’s a lot of fun.”
They both said they try to make it to Cleveland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year, only missing it while attending others around the country.
“It’s just such an awesome tradition,” Lisa said. “I love seeing all the kids and it’s just a good mix of everybody. And everybody’s just having a good time, enjoying themselves.” Ray agreed. “Everybody’s happy,” he said. “Nobody’s being mean or ugly or anything like that. And it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It’s great to see all this support for Cleveland.”
Brookpark resident Dale Fursi, who manages the Crazy Horse club, agreed.
“It’s 39 degrees. There’s sunshine, no snow. People are out. This is Cleveland. I love it,” he said.
About 6 p.m., Master followed up with some more happy news: The Murphy’s Irish dancers placed well in the competition component of the parade, with it’s alumni unit scoring first place, the senior marchers (ages 12 - 17) taking second and the children’s unit finishing in third place among the parade’s participants.
“It’s just so wonderful to represent the Irish community in Cleveland because it’s so strong and they work so hard for our Irish heritage. So it’s just really special.” — Grand Marshal Sheila Murphy Crawford