The Irish Heritage Club of Seattle has unveiled Grammy Award–winning composer – and 1990 Kennedy Catholic High graduate – Mateo Messina as the Grand Marshal for the 53rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Week festivities.
The 2024 parade begins in downtown Seattle at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 4th Avenue and James Street, and ends at Westlake Park.
It’s the highlight of a number of local events, including a weekend cultural celebration and film festival, honoring St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
“Mateo Messina exemplifies an artist who not only excels in the film industry but also gives back to his community,” said David Jacobsen, President of the Irish Heritage Club of Seattle.
Messina’s illustrious career, highlighted by a Grammy for his work on the film “Juno,” is marked by compositions for film, television, and the symphony. Noteworthy recent contributions include hits like “The Wrong Missy,” “Tall Girl,” and “Blockers.”
Beyond his cinematic achievements, Messina has, since the age of 23, composed and premiered more than 24 symphonies at Benaroya Hall, raising an impressive $2,000,000 for Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Messina, whose Irish roots trace back to County Mayo, County Wexford, County Clare and County Fermanagh, has been inspired to explore his heritage through music. His composition, “The Voice of Finnegan Farrell,” performed at Benaroya Hall and narrated by Rev. Barry Keating, reflects this deep connection.
The official induction of Mateo Messina as the 2024 Grand Marshal is scheduled for March 15, at the annual Proclamation Luncheon at Shawn O’Donnell’s on Freemont Avenue. He will participate in various Irish Week events, with a highlight being his leadership in the 53rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16, 2024, commencing at 12:30 p.m. on 4th Avenue in Seattle.
Messina will also appear at the Emerald City Irish Film Festival on March 9-10, 2024, at Pacific Science Center’s IMAX Theater located on the Seattle Center grounds. The two-day event, sponsored by the Irish Heritage Club showcases Irish films, includes a professional panel and features a VIP reception.
For details of the Emerald City Irish Film Festival, visit emeraldcityirishfilmfest.com.
For a detailed list of Irish Week events, visit irishclub.org/irish-week-2024.
For more information on Mateo Messina, visit mateomessina.com.
Emerald City Irish Film Festival will be Mar. 9-10
The Emerald City Irish Film Festival will be the weekend of Mar. 9–10, 2024 at the Pacific Science Center.
For a full list of films, screening times & tickets, visit www.emeraldcityirishfilmfest.com.
Events will include:
- Film Industry Professionals Panel, Mar. 9 at 6 p.m.
- VIP Reception, Mar. 9 at 7 p.m.
Irish Week features numerous activities, including:
- Emerald City Irish Film Festival, March 9-10, Pacific Science Center
- Irish soda bread contest, March 9, TS McHugh’s Irish Pub and Restaurant
- Mayor’s Irish Week Proclamation Luncheon, March 15, Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill and Irish Pub onFremont Avenue
- The Landing of St. Patrick, March 15, South Lake Union
- Laying of the Green Stripe, March 15, 4th Avenue
- Mass for Peace, March 16, 10:00 a.m. at St John The Evangelist Catholic Church
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 16, 4th Avenue
- St Patrick’s Day dinner event, March 16, Glenn Acres Country Club
- Irish Festival Seattle, March 16-17, Seattle Center Armory
For more info, visit:
