Beyond leprechauns and St. Patrick’s Day parties, March is also officially Irish American Heritage Month. This celebration began in 1991 when Congress declared the official month. Every President since then continues to proclaim the celebration. Each year in March, the Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, visits the United States. A Shamrock Ceremony takes place at the White House, where the President accepts a crystal bowl containing shamrock, a traditional symbol of Ireland.
Here in Sumner, in the 2020 Census, 12.3% of our current residents identify as having Irish ancestry. Many, many people in Sumner remember being treated by Dr. Pat Duffy, Sr., who delivered more than 2,000 babies during his career. In the early 2000s, all of Sumner turned green with a St. Patrick’s Day Parade led by John Skinner.
To learn more about this month:
- Explore the National Archives’ webpage featuring a wide range of images and articles about Irish Americans and their contributions.
- Take a moment to read the official Presidential proclamation for 2022’s celebration.
- Learn how the Irish Potato Famine had less to do with a crop failing and more to do with laws and choices that created the Great Hunger, through the History Channel.
- Try something new and learn to play the Irish Bodhran through the Community Music program at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma.
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