Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh
Encyclopedia
The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh is an Irish-American fraternal organization founded in 1964 by Jack Dunphy and Harry Knox initially to get an Irish group from Old Bridge, New Jersey to march in the Newark, New Jersey Saint Patrick's Day
parade.
Our club’s connection to Mr. Gleason goes back nearly 40 years. On March 15, 1964, our organization marched in their first parade in Newark
, and thereafter, they met every month in the clubs and restaurants in Old Bridge (Madison Township). All the while, they dreamed of one day having their own place to meet. They kept the faith, and with great courage, the leaders bought property in Old Bridge, and supported by the members, were able to build a site.
Next, an official name, a title, for such a fine group that had formed was sought. Ideas were shared, and disagreements were many. Suddenly, as if sent down by Saint Patrick
himself, there it was. A phrase spoken during a scene on the immensely popular Jackie Gleason
show. It appeared during the "Joe the Bartender" skit. When Crazy Guggenheim asked "Joe The Bartender" where another regular character on the show was that evening, namely Mr. Dunnahey, "Joe The Bartender" answered, Oh, he’s down at the "Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh". And so it was.
Permission was sought to use the phrase, and was graciously granted, along with a personalized oil painting of himself, "The Great One". He gave us his blessing in using the infamous slogan from his show, and the rest is history.
, West Orange, New Jersey
, and northeastern Pennsylvania
. Its pipe and drum band has competed internationally and has won awards in the United States, Ireland, and Scotland. The group also makes its largest showing at the Belmar, New Jersey Saint Patrick's Day parade every year.
Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick , the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of :Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion , the Eastern...
parade.
Origin of the name and Jackie Gleason
(Note: The following is taken from the club's website, the original URL and complete story can be found at this page.)Our club’s connection to Mr. Gleason goes back nearly 40 years. On March 15, 1964, our organization marched in their first parade in Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, and thereafter, they met every month in the clubs and restaurants in Old Bridge (Madison Township). All the while, they dreamed of one day having their own place to meet. They kept the faith, and with great courage, the leaders bought property in Old Bridge, and supported by the members, were able to build a site.
Next, an official name, a title, for such a fine group that had formed was sought. Ideas were shared, and disagreements were many. Suddenly, as if sent down by Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
himself, there it was. A phrase spoken during a scene on the immensely popular Jackie Gleason
Jackie Gleason
Jackie Gleason was an American comedian, actor and musician. He was known for his brash visual and verbal comedy style, especially by his character Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners, a situation-comedy television series. His most noted film roles were as Minnesota Fats in the drama film The...
show. It appeared during the "Joe the Bartender" skit. When Crazy Guggenheim asked "Joe The Bartender" where another regular character on the show was that evening, namely Mr. Dunnahey, "Joe The Bartender" answered, Oh, he’s down at the "Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh". And so it was.
Permission was sought to use the phrase, and was graciously granted, along with a personalized oil painting of himself, "The Great One". He gave us his blessing in using the infamous slogan from his show, and the rest is history.
Current functions
The FSOS currently counts several hundred members in its Old Bridge chapter alone. The club has since expanded to chapters in Belmar, New JerseyBelmar, New Jersey
Belmar is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,794. The Borough of Belmar is governed under the Faulkner Act system of municipal government....
, West Orange, New Jersey
West Orange, New Jersey
West Orange is a township in central Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 46,207...
, and northeastern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Its pipe and drum band has competed internationally and has won awards in the United States, Ireland, and Scotland. The group also makes its largest showing at the Belmar, New Jersey Saint Patrick's Day parade every year.