Irish-American Heritage Month - March 2022
Mar 15, 2022March features a number of holidays including Peace Corps Day (March 1st), International Women’s Day (March 8th), Ides of March (March 15th), and St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th). In fact, March has also been recognized as Irish-American Heritage Month since 1991.
Irish-American Heritage Month has evolved from the first U.S. celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, which was held in New York City in 1762. The parade became an annual tradition, which was organized by military units and then Irish fraternal societies.
Congress first designated March as Irish-American Heritage Month in October 1990. The month of March was chosen to correspond with St. Patrick’s Day, which is both a Roman Catholic religious holiday and an Irish National Holiday. Starting in March 1991, U.S. Presidents have been issuing proclamations every year. Irish-American Heritage Month celebrates the achievements, accomplishments, and contributions that Irish-Americans have made to the United States. Prominent Irish-American figures include President John F. Kennedy, the first Irish-American Catholic U.S. President, and current President Joe Biden.
Many people think of St. Patrick’s Day as just a parade. But even the White House engages in some intercultural sharing to celebrate the holiday. Every year, the Taoiseach (the prime minister of the Republic of Ireland) visits the White House. In the morning, after the Taoiseach’s arrival, the occasion commences with the Shamrock Ceremony, which became a tradition in 1952. The tradition began when the Irish ambassador in Washington, John Hearne, sent a box of shamrock to President Truman. During the ceremony, the Taoiseach visits the President in the Oval Office and presents a gift of a crystal bowl containing a shamrock plant. Then, there is a luncheon and an evening reception attended by the Taoiseach, the President, the Vice President, the Speaker, and other U.S. officials.
Irish-American Heritage Month and St. Patrick’s Day are opportunities for Irish-Americans and the Irish Diaspora to celebrate their heritage, engage in cultural traditions, and connect with their roots. Irish-Americans are also encouraged to build intercultural bridges and share their traditions and celebrations with people of all backgrounds and cultures. Sharing food and eating meals together is a common way to share cultural traditions. One of the most famous Irish recipes that many people around the world enjoy is corned beef brisket. Another tradition is to share an Irish blessing or toast at mealtime or gathering. There are hundreds of Irish blessings, many of which are secular and suitable for all occasions. One such Irish Blessing goes:
May joy surround you,
Good fortune find you,
And all your cares be left behind you.
May you live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.
And may the saddest day of your future
Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
Cheers!
Written by: Emily Kawasaki
*******************************************
Works Cited
- Awareness Days. (2020, November 10). National Irish-American Heritage Month 2021. National Awareness Days Calendar 2021. https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-irish-american-heritage-month-2021/
- Claddagh Design. (2021, February 18). Claddagh Design. https://www.claddaghdesign.com/ireland/st-patricks-day-shamrock-ceremony/
- Holiday Insights. (n.d.). 2021 - 2022 Major Holidays by month and Day. Daily Calendar By Holiday Insights. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from http://www.holidayinsights.com/everyday.htm
- House, T. W. (2021, March 1). A Proclamation on Irish-American Heritage Month, 2021. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/01/a-proclamation-on-irish-american-heritage-month-2021/
- Irish American Heritage Month. (2021, March 1). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/irish-american-heritage
- IrishCentral Staff. (2021, March 1). Joe Biden to launch Irish-American Heritage Month, March 2021. IrishCentral.Com. https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/joe-biden-irish-american-heritage-month-march-2021#:%7E:text=President%20of%20the%20United%20States,2021’s%20Irish%2DAmerican%20Heritage%20Month.&text=As%20Ireland%2C%20America%2C%20and%20the,Month%202021%2C%20this%20March%201
- Lynch, S. (2020, March 14). The decline of Irish America: ‘It is more and more distant.’ The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/the-decline-of-irish-america-it-is-more-and-more-distant-1.4201183
- The Library of Congress. (n.d.). Irish American Heritage Month | Law Library of Congress. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from https://www.loc.gov/law/help/commemorative-observations/irish-american.php
- With, I. P. (2021, March 9). The evolution of St. Patrick’s Day - why we celebrate. IrishCentral.Com. https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/st-patricks-day-why-we-celebrate
