The Finnegan's Wake
video is comprised of parade clips taken over many years.
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History of the
New Dublin Finnegan's Wake
The Finnegan's Wake
tradition actually has its roots in what began years ago as a
lark. While the local police were occupied at the high school
watching over school traffic and other juveniles, Mike Coyle, Judy
McDaniel, Fluff Barrington, Dave Mulroy, and others decided to take a
department store dummy in an old wicker coffin and carry him from
Coyle's Tire to the Midtown Restaurant performing an Irish Wake. In
fact, it became the first “Finnegan’s Wake” in New London, in their own
impromptu St. Patrick’s Day parade. When it was found out,
they were told if they wanted to do this the next year they needed a
permit. No one imagined then that this humble beginning in
1983 would grow into the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the state
of Wisconsin.
Today, the New Dublin
Finnegan's Wake makes appearances during the week of St. Patrick's Day
festivities each March in the Grand
Parade, Friday night at Pup's Irish Pub for the service,
Irish Fest, and other appearances.