O‘Neill-James is one of the division marshals for the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Washington on Sunday. She is director of the O’Neill-James School of Irish Dancing, which she opened in 1969. The parade begins at noon and will proceed down Constitution Avenue from Seventh to 17th streets, Northwest. How did you get into Irish dance and how long have you been dancing?
I was born to dance. My mother, Peggy O’Neill, was a champion Irish dancer and taught Irish dancing in Ireland and in Glasglow, Scotland. We emigrated from Scotland to the U.S. in 1964. She was one of the first teachers of Irish dancing in the Washington, D.C., area. Once I was married, I opened up my own school in 1969.
You are a member of the Irish Cultural Hall of Fame. How did you become a part of that?
I run an Irish dancing competition called “The Nation’s Capital Fest,” and the committee voted me into the Irish Cultural Hall of Fame.
Will any of your classes be featured in the parade?
Indeed. My school will be behind me as I dance down Constitution Avenue, and my two sons will be beside me. They, too, are Irish dancers, and have danced in the world championships in Dublin. They won their first medal at the age of 4. We will be dancing down Constitution Avenue in full regalia. I have two floats in the parade. …
How long have you been involved in the St. Patrick’s Day parade ?
I have been in the parade for 40 years. They are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. I was in the very first parade, and so were my sons. … My mom and dad were very into the Irish culture, because, of course, they were Irish. God willing, this Sunday I will be in the parade for 40 years. This is the very first time [I’ve been marshal].
Erica Redmond
