Celebrating Irish Heritage
Molly C. Byrne, 2011 President
The Shamrock Club of Columbus
This year in March, I will be proud to honor the Irish and their contributions to Greater Columbus as President of the Shamrock Club of Columbus which is now in its 75th year of existence. March is a special month for the Irish in Columbus, but not for the reasons that many people may think. There is a widely shared belief that for Irish-Americans, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated as a drinking day full of four leaf clovers, green beer and plastic hats. You will not see a four leaf clover (it’s a three-leafed Shamrock!) or green beer (Please.) anywhere near a member of one of the many Irish organizations in this city. This is a misperception of the highest order as, for the many Irish-Americans in the Greater Columbus Area, St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of the past and present achievements of our culture and influence that our heritage has brought to our community.
A fine example of this influence comes every year on the Friday before St. Patrick’s Day, which is called Proclamation Day. On this day, the various Irish organizations gather together as the Clann na nGael (One Family, Irish) in Columbus’ City Council chambers as the Mayor of Columbus proclaims March 17th as St. Patrick’s Day. Also at this gathering, each organization recognizes their yearly honorees, members who have contributed greatly to their organizations and community, and, even more importantly, each organization chooses a charity on which to bestow a monetary donation. This year, the total donations for that day alone will total more than $7,000! Throughout every year, each organization donates much more to organizations and charities to better their communities and help those in need. For that, you see, is the Irish way. The Irish people have long been known for their hospitality and generosity, their involvement in their community through volunteerism, activism, and public service. We know that be a strong community we must all pitch in to help make our neighborhoods better and help those in need.
This is not to say that we don’t love a party! One of my favorite traits about my Irish heritage is the ability to laugh in the face of…well just about anything. We know that amidst its hardships and struggles, life is to be cherished and celebrated and shared with friends and strangers alike. We love a good story, a fine tune and a well-timed joke. Our public celebrations in which all are welcome at the parade downtown and the celebration at Vet’s Memorial afterwards on St. Patrick’s Day are full of those things. For that is what the month of March means to the Irish Americans in Columbus, and that is how we keep St. Patrick’s Day so close to our hearts.
http://www.shamrockclubofcolumbus.com/
The Shamrock Club of Columbus
This year in March, I will be proud to honor the Irish and their contributions to Greater Columbus as President of the Shamrock Club of Columbus which is now in its 75th year of existence. March is a special month for the Irish in Columbus, but not for the reasons that many people may think. There is a widely shared belief that for Irish-Americans, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated as a drinking day full of four leaf clovers, green beer and plastic hats. You will not see a four leaf clover (it’s a three-leafed Shamrock!) or green beer (Please.) anywhere near a member of one of the many Irish organizations in this city. This is a misperception of the highest order as, for the many Irish-Americans in the Greater Columbus Area, St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of the past and present achievements of our culture and influence that our heritage has brought to our community.
A fine example of this influence comes every year on the Friday before St. Patrick’s Day, which is called Proclamation Day. On this day, the various Irish organizations gather together as the Clann na nGael (One Family, Irish) in Columbus’ City Council chambers as the Mayor of Columbus proclaims March 17th as St. Patrick’s Day. Also at this gathering, each organization recognizes their yearly honorees, members who have contributed greatly to their organizations and community, and, even more importantly, each organization chooses a charity on which to bestow a monetary donation. This year, the total donations for that day alone will total more than $7,000! Throughout every year, each organization donates much more to organizations and charities to better their communities and help those in need. For that, you see, is the Irish way. The Irish people have long been known for their hospitality and generosity, their involvement in their community through volunteerism, activism, and public service. We know that be a strong community we must all pitch in to help make our neighborhoods better and help those in need.
This is not to say that we don’t love a party! One of my favorite traits about my Irish heritage is the ability to laugh in the face of…well just about anything. We know that amidst its hardships and struggles, life is to be cherished and celebrated and shared with friends and strangers alike. We love a good story, a fine tune and a well-timed joke. Our public celebrations in which all are welcome at the parade downtown and the celebration at Vet’s Memorial afterwards on St. Patrick’s Day are full of those things. For that is what the month of March means to the Irish Americans in Columbus, and that is how we keep St. Patrick’s Day so close to our hearts.
http://www.shamrockclubofcolumbus.com/