“On St. Patrick’s day, 1788, Irish Emigre Col. John Fitzgerald accepted George Washington’s donation toward building the first Catholic Church in Virginia. This sculpture was commissioned and paid for by the generosity of the Irish Culture Center of Virginia, Inc and the Virginia Ancient Order of Hibernians.”

On December 6th, 2025, this plaque was blessed by the Very Rev. Edward Hathaway on the grounds of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, the 1St Catholic Church in Virginia. Several State and Divisional Hibernian Brothers and families were on hand for this special dedication. PSP and Irish Culture Center CEO Bill Halpin and sculptor Thomas Marsh expressed their appreciation for the dedication.