Kilkenny woman shines as Grand Marshal of St Patrick’s Day parade in USA

Sandra Holland, originally from Glenmore in County Kilkenny, did an amazing job recently as the Grand Marshal of the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day parade in North Carolina.

Sandra is a huge presence in Raleigh GAA. She helps with coaching and mentoring. During a recent tournament in Chicago, she organized successful Irish GAA players to send a video to encourage the Raleigh GAA team.

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She formed a ladies camogie team who have gone on to win several games which for a new team is an achievement and was subsequently invited to represent the South East Division in efforts to spearhead US camogie development. 

About two years ago, Sandra helped form a social group called “Put the Kettle On”.

It started out with about 6 ladies and now has close to 90. The only criteria to join is to have grown up in Ireland.

The age range is from young mothers to the older generation and the group meets about every 6 weeks, either at someone’s home, a restaurant or a local city park.

For some, this group is the only social interaction they may have and it gets them out of the house to meet.

Over the past year, many people have approached Sandra about the Rose of Tralee and she will soon be recruiting young ladies eligible to participate, and finding sponsors.

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Sandra also helps more than the Irish community as she often volunteers her time bringing supplies to the homeless in downtown Raleigh.

Sandra and her husband Glenn have lived happily in North Carolina for the past fifteen years.

Glenn told Kilkenny Live that Sandra's nomination to be Grand Marshal at this year's parade was a 'huge honour' for her.