That costume is magic'

City’s beloved 91-year-old leprechaun is still full of the Irish spirit

- CALVI LEON

Each year, organizers of Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day parade receive questions about whether the beloved leprechaun Paschal Brogan will be there. And without fail, for a quarter of a century, Brogan has always shown up.

There’s a reason he is the face of the festivities, said parade chair Shaun Ruddy. Everyone recognizes him: “He’s a great ambassador.”

On Sunday, the 91-year-old Brogan helped lead yet another parade through the city’s downtown.

“It was another St. Patrick’s Day written up into the minutes,” he said after the march. “Another St. Patrick’s Day I survived.”

His daughter, Arlene Coward, chimed in with a quip. “It’s not over yet, Dad.”

Donning all shades of green, several thousand spectators lined the route from St. George Street and Bloor Street West to Yonge and Dundas Streets.

The luck of the Irish offered sunshine despite brief periods of rain and snow. Attendees bundled up in their coats as they cheered on the colourful floats, marching bands and Irish dancers.

When the Beaver Shrine Club’s “musical train” appeared, blaring old-time rock and roll, everyone was dancing.

Siblings Riley, 9, and Chloe, 8, were busting moves in their greenclad outfits. They’re there “for the fun,” Chloe said.

Their father, Kevin Daddamio, who is part Irish, said this is their first year at the parade since 2020.

Eoin Carroll hasn’t missed a St. Patrick’s Day parade since he moved to Toronto from Dublin in 2011.