2023 Grand Marshal - Humphrey Donnelly IV

2023 Parade Grand Marshal

Humphrey J. "Harp" Donnelly, IV

The Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is proud to have Harp Donnelly, IV lead our 67^th Annual Parade.

Humphrey J. “Harp” Donnelly, IV is the fourth child of six and first sonof Humphrey J. “Harp” Donnelly, III and Barbara A. (Herrick) Donnelly. He attended Newport public schools and graduated from Rogers High School in 1977 where he served as both the junior and senior year class president.

Harp worked at Raytheon Submarine Signal Division in Portsmouth Rhode Island from 1980 to 1991. While there, he worked long side his uncles Thomas “Fox,” Michael “Chad,” and Brian, as well as several legendary 5th ward characters such as Neil “Big Daddy” Sullivan.

Harp served as the chairperson of the City of Newport’s Tree Commission for three years in the early 90s. In 1991 through 1998 he was the sole proprietor of a home repair and improvement company called Kerry Hill Home Improvements. The name of the company was taken from a neighborhood where he has lived since 1982. The neighborhood was coined Kerry Hill due to the considerable number of Irish immigrants from County Kerry, Ireland, who settled in the former West Broadway to Warner Street neighborhood.

Harp’s great grandfather Humphrey J. Donnelly, Sr. brought his family from the small village of Spunkane, just outside of Waterville, County Kerry, Ireland to live in that neighborhood when Harp’s grandfather Humphrey J. “Harp” Donnelly, Jr. was a young boy.

While working for himself at Kerry Hill Home Improvement, Harp set the goal to become a firefighter for the City of Newport Fire Department. Harp earned his EMT license and volunteered on both the Jamestown Fire Department and Jamestown Ambulance Association for three years prior to being hired by the North Kingstown Fire Department in July of 1998. In October of 1998, one month before Harp's 40th birthday, he was hired by the City of Newport.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Providence College in 2005 as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Anna Maria College in 2020. He worked his way up through the ranks of Newport’s Fire Department and was promoted to the position of Chief of the department in January of 2022.

Harp met his wife Tricia L (Milburn) Donnelly in 2003 at a Fire Department party at the Ancient Order of Hibernian’s Hall. They were married on July 2, 2010. Both Tricia and Harp are enthusiastic fans of the Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade and all the fun and traditions that go along with it.

Harp credits his uncle Chad for igniting his interest in his Irish heritage and family history. Harp enjoys a strong relationship with his cousin Dennis Sugrue, and his family in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland. Harp and Tricia have made lifelong friends in Newport's sister city of Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland.

He is a proud, longtime member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Dennis E. Collins Division #1. Harp, along with his wife and mother-in-law, became members of Lodge, Forum 391, of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America.

Harp enjoys serving his hometown of Newport and loves spending time walking, traveling, and making the most out of life with his best friend and wife Tricia.

Being asked to be the Grand Marshall of Newport’s 67th Saint Patrick's Day Parade is an incredible honor that Harp has gotten to share with his father, former Mayor Humphrey J. “Harp” Donnelly, III, who was the Grand Marshall in both 1976 and 1982. Harp also shares the honor with his uncle Michael “Chad” Donnelly, who served as the 2010 Parade Grand Marshall.

Harp thanks the Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee members, all the Parade sponsors and people that work to continue the great tradition of the annual Parade. To quote Harp’s father, “No matter what the weather, it is always a great day for the city of Newport’s Saint Patrick's Day Parade.”

About This Year’s Button:

Our yearly button designs try to incorporate the vocation or interests of our Grand Marshal. This year’s design incorporates a number of elements of this year’s Grand Marshal. The harp represents the official symbol of Ireland, the ethnic roots of the Grand Marshal and, appropriately, his nick-name “Harp”. The firefighter’s axe represents his vocation as Chief of the Newport Fire Department. The never-ending knot represents his never-ending dedication to public service, family, and friends and the 3 shamrocks reflect that he is the 3^rd member of the Donnelly Clan to receive this honor; his father, Humphrey J. “Harp” Donnelly III (1976 & 1982) and his uncle Michael C. “Chad” Donnelly (2010). Tying the overall design together are the colors of the Irish National flag, green, white, and orange.

The Parade Committee, an all-volunteer group of people, work tirelessly year-round to perform the countless tasks required to produce the many events that take place, culminating in the Parade. One of most enjoyable tasks is designing the Official Parade logo honoring our Grand Marshal. Working with a designer, we go though many prototypes. From original ideas, to sketches, to concepts.

So why do we choose one design over another? Some of it is subjective – we might like one design more than another. Some of it is technical – number of colors, complexity, printing, et cetera. But in the end, the best design honoring our Grand Marshal is chosen. Thanks for all the hard work by the designer, Mike Marshal, and the Committee!