Celebrating 100 years of Irish traditions

Friday, Mar. 18, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — This past weekend saw many celebrations around the world commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Republic.

In Utah, the Hibernian Society of Utah joined the festivities by hosting two months of celebrations, which started on Feb. 20 with the Irish Rising Festival, during which a series of free film screenings were offered. 

The celebration will conclude April 25 with the commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, which gave birth to modern state of Ireland.

Every year since 1979, the Saint Patrick’s parade takes place in the middle of March in downtown Salt Lake City. That day everyone is Irish, a saying the state’s Catholic community takes to heart. Participants from Utah Catholic schools, many parishes and diocesan ministries are always present at the parade with cheer squads, bands and floats.

This year was no exception. Under a beautiful blue sky, students from Judge Memorial and Juan Diego Catholic high schools, Blessed Sacrament School, St. John the Baptist schools and St. Joseph schools, among many others, participated in the parade.

With the theme ‘The Irish Rising!’  more than 100 floats paraded in front of thousands of spectators who gathered early to get a good spot for viewing. For many, it is an annual event.

“This is my tenth year seeing the parade,” said Margarete Allen, a St. Patrick’s parishioner.

The commemoration of Easter Rising in 1916 “is a big celebration of freedom and independence,” said Mike McGinley, acting president of the Hibernian Society of Utah.