All articles tagged with #irish heritage
The Pittsburgh Steelers narrowly defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-21 in the NFL's first game held in Dublin's Croke Park, marking a historic moment for Irish football fans and celebrating the Steelers' Irish roots, with a thrilling finish and notable plays including an 80-yard touchdown by DK Metcalf.
The Pittsburgh Steelers celebrated Irish heritage during a practice in Dublin by wearing jerseys with players' names translated into Gaelic, highlighting cultural ties and promoting Irish language and culture.
The EPIC Museum in Dublin celebrates the history of Irish emigration, highlighting the significant contributions of the Irish diaspora worldwide, including athletes, entertainers, inventors, and authors. With more than 30 million Americans claiming Irish ancestry, the museum also tells the story of the peak of Irish emigration during the mid-1800s famine, while emphasizing the positive impact of Irish emigration and the pride of Irish cultural exports. The museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore their own Irish roots through the Irish Family History Centre, showcasing the powerful story of contribution and adaptation from a small island with a rich history of emigration.
Major St. Patrick's Day parades across the United States were celebrated a day early, with events including a big anniversary in Savannah, Georgia, and the honoring of a pioneering female business leader as grand marshal in New York. The Manhattan parade, dating back to 1762, featured Irish-born Heineken USA CEO Maggie Timoney as grand marshal, while New York City also hosted its first St. Patrick’s Day parade allowing LGBTQ+ groups to march on Staten Island. Other cities like Chicago, Savannah, Oklahoma City, and San Francisco also held their own unique celebrations to mark the holiday.
St. Patrick's Day, originally a religious observance in Ireland, has evolved into a global celebration of Irish heritage, particularly in the United States, where it became a cultural and boisterous festival. The holiday's spread in the U.S. was a way for Irish immigrant communities to stake their claim in American civic life and combat discrimination. The day honors the patron saint of Ireland, who promoted Christianity in the country, and is marked by parades, parties, and emerald-hued foods and drinks. Additionally, the rare four-leaf clover, associated with luck, is a popular sight around the holiday.
President Biden will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland before spending most of his time in the Republic of Ireland learning about his Irish heritage. His advisers have tried to avoid any thorny questions surrounding politics in Northern Ireland, where the legislature has been deadlocked. Biden will meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain and then give a speech at Ulster University to recognize the peace treaty that ended decades of bloody sectarian violence between Northern Irish factions.
President Biden visits Belfast to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which ended three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. Despite the peace, the region remains divided, with unionists wary of Biden's strong Irish identity. The visit is not part of the official celebration of the deal, and many locals are in no mood to celebrate. Biden's Irish heritage is a deep part of his personal history, and he will also visit the Republic of Ireland during his three-day tour. The president's goal is to ensure the Irish accords and the Windsor agreement stay in place to keep the peace.
The 70th Annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade took place on Sunday, showcasing prize-winning floats, championship bands, and notable celebrities. The parade draws on the Irish heritage of Holyoke and has grown from 25,000 spectators in 1952 to over 400,000 in 2011. The event features international and high school bands, as well as the famed Philadelphia Mummers String Bands.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Manhattan for the oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the US. The parade, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, saw a sea of green as revelers cheered for bagpipers, high school bands, and marching FDNY and NYPD officers. The event was an opportunity for many New Yorkers to express their Irish heritage and celebrate the cherished tradition of knocking back a few drinks. The parade also honored the firefighters who died in 9/11, with 343 firefighters marching in their honor.
American presidents have celebrated St. Patrick's Day in various ways, including drinking Guinness, exchanging shamrocks, and participating in parades. President Joe Biden, who boasts his Irish roots, met with the Irish prime minister and received a bowl of clovers. It's estimated that half of U.S. presidents' relatives have Irish ancestry. John F. Kennedy delivered a powerful speech on St. Patrick's Day in 1954 and addressed the Irish parliament in 1963, while Richard Nixon presented a crystal vase to the Irish ambassador in 1969.