As the largest Irish-American organization in San Diego County-
and the oldest in the country - the Friendly Sons recognize our special obligation to celebrate our Irish heritage and to support the greater San Diego community.
If not us - then who?
Cultural Education &
Community Enrichment
USD Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick have created the newly endowed Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of San Diego County Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of San Diego.The fund provides scholarships to deserving and qualified undergraduate students at USD who are studying abroad in Ireland.
To date, we’ve raised over $50,0000 for international cultural studies.
The San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
With annual contributions over $30,000 through our Smilin’ Irishman Contest, The Friendly Sons are the largest single benefactor to the the San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival - THE LARGEST St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and THE LARGEST Irish cultural celebration, west of the Mississippi River - so popular, it’s now a national destination.
With a world-class cultural celebration comes world-class expense and rising costs. Our community needs your support to keep the lights on.
Cultural Celebration &
Community Awareness
Irish Outreach & Cultural Center
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick proudly support the Irish Outreach J1 Summer Orientation Program with comprehensive assistance and advice to incoming J1 students and covers everything they need for a successful summer in San Diego, from setting up bank accounts to accommodation, safety, and travel. Join us in welcoming these special students to the San Diego community.
San Diego Padres Irish Night at Petco Park
Each year, the Friendly Sons partner with the San Diego Padres to celebrate Irish heritage with America’s favorite pastime - BASEBALL! Thousands of Irish J1 students, San Diego Irish and Irish Americans, and those Irish in spirit attend a theme game with singing, giveaways, and more. The Friendly Sons also help organize the pre-game parade, marching thousands of fans from San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter to Petco Park.
“Green Light” Irish Heritage Global Greening Initiative
This year, a record 690 structures in 66 countries committed to turning an ethereal green on March 17, including Cairo Tower in Egypt, Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, The Eye in London, Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, Palace Bridge in St. Petersburg, Prince’s Palace in Monaco, Sydney Opera House in Australia and Victoria Falls in Africa.
Irish Outreach and The Friendly Sons worked with San Diego County officials to illuminate the County Administration building in a sea of ethereal green light, in celebration of San Diego’s Irish heritage and contributions from the Irish Community.
San Diego Miss Colleen Pageant
The annual Miss Colleen Pageant is a testament to the rich, ethnic diversity of our San Diego community and gives a glimpse into the many different cultures that make San Diego so special. This pageant, underwritten by the Friendly Sons and other donors, encourages young Irish women to reach for new heights and to work hard to make their dreams a reality as role models for the Irish Community. You can help support Miss Colleen’s travel to Ireland to represent San Diego.
Cultural Preservation & Community Involvement
Warship USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127) Dedication
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, along with Irish Outreach and our many Irish friends across Southern California joined the effort to get approval for the naming US Navy destroyer DDG-127 after fallen Marine Patrick “Bob” Gallagher. The naming was celebrated at the “Songs of Irish Heroes” event in October 2018.
Mount Soledad National Veteran’s Memorial
The Friendly Sons routinely honor our US Military Veterans and their families through volunteer service to the Mount Soledad National Veteran’s Memorial, placing memorial flags around the property, escorting Veterans for memorial ceremonies, and assisting the staff with greeting visitors from around the globe.
Irish You A Merry Christmas
The Friendly Sons proudly support the Irish Outreach Center annual “Irish You a Merry Christmas” event, a charitable initiative with the purpose of bringing festive cheer to children in need in the San Diego community. The event is a partnership between The Irish Outreach Center and the four Irish sporting organizations in San Diego.
Community Athletics &
Youth Sports
San Diego Youth Gaelic Athletics Association
Founded in 2007, San Diego Youth Gaelic Athletic Association (SDYGAA) promotes and organizes Gaelic Football for ages 5 through 15 in San Diego and Orange Counties. We’re proud to support SDYGAA to provide players the opportunity to experience a new sport, travel nationally and internationally and learn the history and beauty of the national sport of Ireland.
Na Fianna Ladies Gaelic Football Club
The term Na Fianna translates from Gaeilge, the national language of Ireland, to mean "The Warriors". Players come from all over the globe: Ireland, America, Japan, Australia and even Mexico! The club has a very strong team spirit and is all about women playing sport in a fun and competitive environment.
Setanta Gaelic football and Surf Club
Founded in 2001. The Club ethos, in traditional Irish fashion, uses sport as the cornerstone of the community, where family and friends are brought together through sport. The Friendly Sons are proud to support Setanta in maintaining a club-based community that provides fun and friendship for the entire family through sports and social events incorporating cultural and community service aspects.
St. Peters Hurling Club of San Diego
Established in May 2010, St. Peters was founded by volunteers who are dedicated to the promotion of the sport of hurling and its cultural heritage. The Friendly Sons are proud to support St. Peters in their mission to provide opportunities to learn and play hurling for our members of all ages, skill levels, and gender. It’s another great way to promote greater awareness of the Irish culture and San Diego Irish community.