The history of the IAST honoring “fair daughters of Erin” goes back to the 1980’s.  A one-time-only Maid of Erin pageant was held in 1982 at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Special guest was Aidan Kirwan, Vice Consul, Republic of Ireland, who crowned the winner.  Entrants were judged on poise, personality, and appearance. The Maid of Erin and her court were to represent the IAST and the local Ancient Order of Hibernians at Harborfest, Heritage Day, and the St. Patrick’s Day parade.  Melissa Rice was selected as the Maid of Erin by the judges, but first runner up Laura Wolf ended up fulfilling the duties and title of the Maid of Erin. 

In 1997, IAST then-President Tom Porter initiated the selection of IAST Adult, Teen, and Junior Princesses to represent us in the annual Paddy Day Parade as well as subsequent events during their year-long reign.  The princess selection process has evolved over the years, but the IAST President still makes all final decisions.  Princesses have to be IAST members or relatives of members nominated by the membership in January or February and selected by the officers at their last executive board meeting before the March membership meeting.  The executive board considers all princess nominees on criteria such as suitability (in appearance, personality, conduct, and character) to represent the IAST, involvement in the Irish community, support of Irish culture, interest in her Irish heritage, association with the IAST, etc.  In the event that the IAST President deems there are no suitable nominees for a princess position in a certain year, then the position will go empty that year.  Our Honorary Princesses are announced each year at Finnegan’s Wake and given honorary sashes to wear as they represent us. 

Occasionally, extra princesses are chosen, such as the MAVA Princess in 2000, who represented Ireland in the Multicultural Alliance of Virginia “Queen of the World Bazaar” pageant.  In honor of our 25th anniversary, the IAST President decided to select for the very first time in our society a special Rose of Tralee Princess to represent us in the Washington DC Irish Centre’s Rose of Tralee Contest that June.  The winner of the DC Rose of Tralee Contest goes on to compete in the International Rose of Tralee Competition in Tralee, Ireland each August.  Another special decision was to have Tom Porter’s twin granddaughters serve a 2nd year as junior princesses in our 25th Anniversary year in honor of Tom and his support of the IAST Princesses.