March 17, 2025
Eamonn Wall, the Smurfit-Stone Corporation Professor of Irish Studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, recently received a call from Maureen McGlynn, CEO of the Metropolitan St. Patrick’s Day Parade, asking him to serve as the honorary parade marshal for the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Wall, a native of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland, quickly accepted the invitation, expressing his honor and excitement. Wall viewed the recognition not only as a personal achievement but also as an acknowledgment of UMSL’s role in his community involvement and professional success.
The honor comes in Wall's 25th year at UMSL, coinciding with the release of his 12th book, "Conocimiento: Writing Irish Borderlands," and the remarkable connection to his family. Wall’s youngest sister, Sinead, will serve as the grand marshal for the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, where she has been recognized for her charity work. Wall’s contributions to the St. Louis Irish community, including his Irish Lectures and Concerts Series and his role in the city’s strong Irish cultural presence, have been celebrated throughout his tenure at UMSL.
