Céad Míle Fáilte
A hundred thousand welcomes!
The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Central Iowa proudly welcome you to our website. We hope that whatever it is about the Friendly Sons - one of our events or that wee bit o’ Ireland you are looking for - you will be able to find it here.
The first chapter of the Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick was originally established in Philadelphia in 1771. Over the years, as that interest in Irish heritage spread across the young nation, many new chapters were begun.
The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Central Iowa was founded in 1975, and held its first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on the streets of Des Moines in 1976. The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick are a merry band of gentlemen that enjoy gathering together to commune and celebrate their Irish heritage. Membership is open to those men who are at least 21 years of age, can trace their lineage to Ireland and can fog a mirror. Monthly membership meetings consist of dinner, a few pints and a whole lot of blarney.
We are also a benevolent organization. We stage several community events each year including the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, St. Patrick’s 5K & 10K Runs and Halfway to Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration and Bike Ride. With the support of many Sponsors & Contributors we are able to raise money that is donated back to local organizations in need that we call our Community of Caring.
Naturally, Saint Patrick’s Day is our most hallowed, celebrated day of the year. That morning, at our Member’s Breakfast, we bestow our highest honor upon one of our members by naming him our Irishman of the Year. That day, we introduce our Queen to the adoring public and, of course, we stage and host the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, which is followed by the reception and awards ceremony.
So, thank you for visiting our website. We hope you enjoy it. And remember…
“Wherever you go, and whatever you do
may the luck of the Irish
be there with you.”
Ed Modglin, President
The Founding of FSOSP of Central Iowa