Sons of Ireland lead parade

A family that has become a symbol of Ireland and the struggle to survive led the Queens St. Patrick’s Day parade last Sunday as it marched through Sunnyside and Woodside.
Frank, Malachy, Mike and Alphie McCourt have become synonymous with what it means to be Irish through memoirs written by both Frank and Malachy, the most well-known being Frank’s “Angela’s Ashes,” which was made into a film in 1999. Frank is also the author of “ ‘Tis” and “Teacher Man” while Malachy’s works include “A Monk Swimming” and “Singing My Him Song.”
The four McCourt brothers were also the subject of two documentaries, “The McCourts of Limerick” in 1998 and “The McCourts of New York” in 1999. Both films were made by Malachy’s son, Conor.
Angela and Malachy McCourt were natives of Ireland but were living in Brooklyn when Frank and Malachy were born. While the two were still very young, the family moved back to Ireland, which is where the other brothers were born.
In Ireland, the family faced many hardships. There were times when they were without food and didn’t always have the proper shoes to wear to school. Their mother was forced to depend on the kindness of strangers while their father spent a great deal of time drinking.
Now, all four brothers are living in the United States. Frank, Malachy and Alphie, who supervises the installation of equipment at a building complex, all live in New York. Mike is in the restaurant business in San Francisco.
After the McCourts told their story, there were many in Ireland who did not approve. Frank said that they used to get a very cold reception with people saying that they had disgraced Ireland. According to Frank those feelings have begun to thaw recently.
Regardless of the doubts that some in Ireland might have had about the McCourts sharing their story, it moved many others. The book version of “Angela’s Ashes” won the Pulitzer Prize in 1997 while the film received many award nominations in the film industry.
“I think it’s because Americans like a story of triumph,” Malachy said about why the film captured the hearts of so many.
The McCourts still frequently visit Ireland and their home inLimerick and hold fond memories of the country. Frank said that what he remembers most is the singing done in his youth.
“We did a lot of singing when we were kids,” he said.
All four McCourt brothers represented Ireland during the seventh annual, all-inclusive Queens St. Patrick’s Day parade. They were joined by Flushing resident Ellen Duncan, an Irish immigrant and nurse who is a co-founder of the parade.
Malachy is a long-time friend of event organizer Brendan Fay, who asked Malachy to participate in the parade. Malachy then suggested that the whole family come.
“When he started this I wholeheartedly approved,” Malachy said of the parade.
Fay said that he felt the McCourts were appropriate representatives because of how inspirational they are and how they encourage others to work for change.
“The four McCourts have represented Ireland, I think, at its very best,” Fay said. “The McCourts have brought their honesty, their openness, their laughter and warm-heartedness and kindness. You look at these four brothers and consider the impact they have made across the world.”
According to the McCourts, while they were growing up, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland was not the holiday that it is in America. However, they said the excitement of that day in Ireland is now starting to mirror the gleeful celebrations held in the United States.
Although Malachy said that he had to do “a bit of arm twisting” to get his brothers to participate in the parade, it turned out to be a happy reunion for the four men.
“We always have a lot of fun (together),” he said.