In 2010, 34.7 million Americans reported being of Irish heritage, making it the second most-frequently reported ancestry behind German. To celebrate the shared culture of the millions of Irish-Americans, March has been deemed Irish-American Heritage Month.
In 1995, Congress proclaimed March Irish-American Heritage Month for the first time, and every year since, the designation has come from a presidential proclamation.
“I think it’s important to celebrate your roots and where you come from,” said Mollie Fitzgerald, the president of the Ohio University Irish Dancers. “Irish dance is something that not everyone can do, so it definitely connects me to my heritage.”
Fitzgerald, whose father’s side of the family is Irish, said she has been Irish dancing since she was 5 years old. Her 15 years of dance experience have helped her identify with her heritage.
“Irish dancing brings out a lot of Irish qualities in anyone,” Fitzgerald said. “I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Ireland several times, and my dance teacher represents Irish people and Ireland very well.”
During her first visit to Ireland, Fitzgerald encountered a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. She was in a car accident in a small town, but a local man fixed the car and a local woman offered to house her and her traveling companions for the night.
The family-oriented, upbeat, cheerful aspects of Ireland that she witnessed could contribute to why Irish-Americans hold onto their heritage so dearly, she said.
“I don’t know why we’re so proud of our ancestry, but we are,” she said. “They know how to have fun, and they’re very, just a very friendly culture.”
Even for people who do not have familial connections to Irish heritage, there is a benefit to celebrating Irish culture, said Trent McDonald, a sophomore studying English.
“I do love particular bits of Irish culture,” he said.
Partaking in Irish activities such as Irish dance or music helps keep people connected to their Irish roots. Sean O’Malley, flutist for the Boys of the Hock, an Irish band, said although he is a fourth-generation American, there is still a connection to his Irish ancestry.
O’Malley and the Boys of the Hock perform at Celtic Night at Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery every Tuesday, and performing Irish-based music not only keeps a connection to Irish heritage but also creates a connection with the audience as well.
“Honestly, as a musician, it’s a great style of music to play, and the tradition of people being able to dance to the music comes across generations,” O’Malley said. “So it’s a good way to keep older folks and the kids tied together in something that they are actively participating in.”
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