St. Patrick's Day and Irish Heritage Month
St. Paddy’s Day isn’t just an opportunity to wear green and celebrate the luck of the Irish. Learn more, as we celebrate Irish Heritage Month across the U.S.
Written by Megan Ryan, Regional HR Manager, Olympic Steel
“Ireland is a land of poets and legends, of dreamers and rebels.” – Nora Roberts
Rich in history, what Ireland lacks in size it more than makes up for in personality, tradition, and national pride. And while every day is a good day to have the luck of the Irish on your side, by far the most famous of those days is Saint Patrick’s Day, or St. Paddy’s Day.
Celebrated on March 17 each year, St. Patrick’s Day has turned into a worldwide celebration. Saint Patrick was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary and Bishop in Ireland. March 17 marks the traditional date of his death. Originally a religious day of feasting to honor Saint Patrick, it has evolved into a day for everyone across continents to partake in and appreciate Irish culture and resilience.
People come together for parades, music, step dancing and all things green – drinks, attire, and even green rivers in some cities! The day is a perfect reminder to celebrate the enduring legacy of Irish heritage – a flair for the dramatic, a people willing to find joy (even during hard times), and the resilience of the Irish culture and community. On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is welcome to feel a sense of belonging and a little luckier than usual.
March 17 isn’t the only day of March when Irish heritage is celebrated. In 1991, the U.S. Congress officially deemed March as “Irish American Heritage Month”. Each year at the start of the month, the U.S. President will make an annual proclamation of Irish contributions to the country, a tradition that started with George H.W. Bush in 1991.
As part of the celebrations, the Taoiseach (pronounced tay-shuh in America, Taoiseach literally means chief or leader, and refers to Ireland’s Prime Minister) travels to the United States for the Shamrock Ceremony. This Shamrock Ceremony is a tradition originally adopted in 1952 to help bolster the relationship between the United States and Ireland. During the ceremony, the Taoiseach presents the President with a bowl of shamrocks. Shamrocks once began as a symbol of the Holy Trinity, and a way for all Irish citizens of lesser means to still “dress up” during St. Patrick’s Day - donning the leaf on their clothing. Since then, the shamrock has become one of the most well-known icons for Irish Heritage.
As we take the time in March to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day, whether it’s a citywide parade, dance, community party or even a pint of Guinness, may it be a chance to reflect upon and celebrate Irish heritage. By acknowledging the hardships faced during The Great Migration and recognizing Irish contributions in music, literature, cuisine and all facets of the American culture, we help celebrate inclusivity of all people.
