The Man with the Guinness Hat and the Tricolor Face Paint
For over four decades, Dennis Dunn has been a familiar face at St. Patrick’s Day parades in New York and Yonkers. Dressed in a green sweater covered in Irish pins, a Guinness hat, and tricolor face paint, he’s become a local legend known as the “button man.” His unique look has captured the attention of parade-goers and media alike, making him an unforgettable part of the celebration.
Dennis began his journey in 1981 when he was just 18 years old. He started collecting Irish pins and attaching them to a green sweater as a way to spark conversations with women in bars on St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a simple strategy quickly evolved into a lifelong tradition. Over the years, his collection has grown to more than 100 pins, and his nickname “button man” has stuck.
A Whirlwind of Memories and Connections
Now 59 years old, Dennis describes the past few decades as a whirlwind. He always looks forward to meeting new people and reconnecting with longtime friends on St. Patrick’s Day. “I had a Blarney Stone sweater that was given to me by my grandmother the last time she went to Ireland,” he recalls. “So I cherished that sweater. In 1981, I started going out to the pubs and would pin buttons to the sweater.”
The more buttons he added, the more attention he received. “All these girls would come up to me in the bar and be like, ‘Oh, what do your buttons say?’” he says. “I was like, ‘This is a great way to meet girls.’ So I kept getting more and more buttons.” As his collection grew, so did his notoriety.
Standing Out in the Crowd
Dennis attributes his visibility to his height. “Being a tall person, I stand out in a crowd,” he explains. “All the guys in the pipe bands could see me above the crowd and then they got to know me really well.” He now positions himself near St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the parade in New York City, where he poses for photos with admirers.
The next day, he repeats the tradition at the McLean Avenue parade in Yonkers. “I’m usually right after St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the same side, so everyone knows where to find me,” he says. “It’s just been crazy because I’ve gotten to know so many people over the years.”
Dennis has become a recognizable figure in the community. “People will see others coming up to me at the parade in New York City for photos. Then they’ll ask who I am and why people are coming up. I’ll say to them, ‘Oh you don’t know? I’m famous, I’m the button man.’ It’s funny, it’s a lot of fun.”
A Life Rooted in Irish Heritage
Dennis grew up in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx before moving to Yonkers in 1978. He spent time in New Rochelle but eventually returned to the city known as “little Ireland.” Over the years, he has become a familiar face throughout the community.
“The Yonkers parade is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with acquaintances,” he says. “The energetic environment ensures everyone enjoys a grand old time throughout the entire day.”
He recalls a memorable encounter in Woodlawn where he ran into Derek Warfield, a well-known figure in the Irish community. “It’s at the point where people in Woodlawn know me without the makeup and the get-up now, that’s how it’s gotten.”
Celebrating Irish Heritage Every Year
Every year, Dennis looks forward to participating in the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. For him, it’s a chance to honor his Irish ancestry. “It’s always a big celebration of Irish heritage,” he notes. “If you grew up in an Irish family, you know it’s a holiday. So it’s like it’s our holiday, let’s go out and enjoy it.”
As a child, his grandmother would dress him up and take him to parades. As he grew older, he started celebrating in the bars. “My 15 minutes of fame comes every year now,” he says. “I have friends who have known me for 40 years and they’re like, ‘I can’t believe how far you’ve taken this button thing.'”
Looking back, Dennis admits it’s hard to believe what he’s accomplished. “If you ever told me way back in 1981 I would be one of the most famous spectators of the St Paddy’s Day parade, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
