March is Irish American Heritage Month

Irish American Heritage Month was established in 1991 to recognize the contributions made by Irish immigrants in the creation of America. The heritage month is held in March to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day which is celebrated each year on March 17. This day of celebration originally began as a religious holiday to honor Saint Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century and is the patron saint of Ireland. The celebration is held on March 17, the supposed date of his death. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762 and the holiday has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish.

Irish American Heritage Month celebrates the nearly 31 million Americans with Irish ancestry and the contributions and impact that generations of Irish Americans have made to build a better America.