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Olympic Gold Medalist and Undisputed World Champion to
Lead 21st Annual Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade

Prior to her groundbreaking boxing career, Katie represented the Republic of Ireland as an accomplished international soccer player. Although soccer was Katie’s first love, she ultimately found her true passion in boxing. Beginning at just 12 years old, she dreamt of becoming an Olympic champion. At the time, women’s competitive boxing was not permitted in Ireland or included in the Olympic Games. Determined to compete, Katie registered as a boy to gain ring experience.

By age 15, she would compete in Ireland’s first officially sanctioned Women’s Boxing match defeating Alanna Audley from Belfast.  As an amateur, Katie won multiple world and European championships before capturing the first ever gold medal in women’s lightweight boxing at the 2012 London Olympics. Katie is widely credited as one of the leading figures whose success and advocacy helped secure the inclusion of women’s boxing in the Olympic Games.

Katie turned professional in 2016 and has since become a two-weight class undisputed world Champion, earning acclaim for her skill, speed, and competitive spirit. To date, Katie has a professional boxing record of 25 wins and 1 loss.

Parade Chair, Desmond J. Keogh, notes, “Katie Taylor is the pride of Ireland, and we are honored that she will serve as our Grand Marshal. Our parade theme, ‘Heart of a Champion: Dream, Work, Believe’, really defines Katie’s path to greatness.  Her determination, resilience and skill changed the face of women’s boxing, and she is a true role model for so many young athletes.”

Katie’s Irish roots and global accomplishments embody the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day and the pride of Irish communities around the world.

The Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade will celebrate its 21st year on Saturday, March 7, 2026, with step off at 11 am. The nearly 2-mile route runs along Route 28 from South Yarmouth to West Yarmouth.

Featuring more than 100 entries and drawing over 40,000 spectators annually, it is one of the largest St. Patrick’s parades in New England.

Desmond J. Keogh, Chair
Cape Cod St Patrick’s Parade Committee

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She has been called the greatest female boxer of all time, Ireland’s all time greatest sport legend and a trailblazer in women’s sports. Katie Taylor is a highly celebrated Irish professional boxer and former soccer player. Her career has made her an influential and widely celebrated figure in women’s sport globally. She revolutionised the sport and business of boxing, breaking barriers with her groundbreaking achievements in both the amateur and professional arenas, and paving the way for the next generation of women in sport. 

Katie was born on 2 July 1986 in Bray, County Wicklow, the daughter of Irish mother Bridget and English-born father Pete Taylor. She is the youngest of 4 children

She was the undisputed and undefeated world lightweight champion from 2019 to 2024 and has held the undisputed and world super lightweight championship since 2023. A former Ireland international soccer player, Katie won five consecutive gold medals at the Women’s World Championships, gold six times at the European Championships, and gold five times at the European Union Championships. She was the flag bearer for Ireland at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony before going on to win the gold medal in the lightweight division. Katie is widely credited with being the driving force behind getting women’s boxing added into the Olympics. 

To date, Katie has a professional boxing record of 25 wins (6 knockouts) and 1 loss. 

Her most recent fight in July 2025 was securing a victory over Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden in a sold out crowd of nearly 20,000. It was the first ever all women’s professional boxing card at the venue and televised live on Netflix. 

Katie is married to Sean McCavanagh and lives in Connecticut.

https://katietaylor.ie

https://www.champion.com/pages/katie-taylor?srsltid=AfmBOorUi_PdBiUiMuM-ATzENnj40uJobcSypjY-j_WAyx3hdRWAoISs

https://www.matchroomboxing.com/boxers/katie-taylor

Katie Taylor’s EPIC Ringwalk For Dublin Homecoming v Chantelle Cameron

https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/katie-taylor

With our theme this year as “The Heart of Ireland , 20 years of Music and Tradition” it seems fitting that our Grand Marshal was born and raised in Ireland, and MUSIC has always been a big part of his life!

This year’s Grand Marshal was singing long before he was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1989. In 2014 while officiating a relative’s wedding, he was videotaped while singing “HIS” version of Hallelujah and 46 million views later he became an internet phenomenon! He has performed on Britain’s Got Talent, as well as many charity events all over the world, including right here on Cape Cod.

For the 20th anniversary of the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade we are honored to have Fr. Ray Kelly, from County Westmeath, Ireland as our Grand Marshal 2025!