To acknowledge the accomplishments of the Irish immigrants and their descendants in America, Delaware County Council passed a resolution yesterday declaring March 15-21 Irish American Heritage Week.
Sporting a green tie decorated with shamrocks, County Councilman Andrew J. Reilly said the resolution was in response to, “the contributions in all endeavors which make up the fabric of daily life in the United States.”
Attending the meeting were: Jim Gallagher, a member of the Patriotic Sons of St. Patrick; John McBlain, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH); Carolyn Killion of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians; Jim Daly of the AOH; Dan Donahue of the AOH and Robert Dougherty of the AOH.
“Many Delaware Countians can trace their forbearers to those who braved great hardship to come here from Ireland in the 1840s to escape famine and oppression,” said Reilly.
A highlight of the activities to celebrate Irish heritage is the 25th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Springfield. The parade will be this Saturday, March 15 at 12 p.m. It starts at Springfield High School on Leamy Avenue and will proceed to Forest Road, turn right on Springfield Road, turn right on Saxer Avenue.
The 52nd annual Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be this Sunday, March 16 at 12 p.m. The parade will start on Broad and Washington Avenue.
The parade will proceed north on Broad Street to City Hall, around the east side of City Hall, west on JFK Boulevard to 16th Street, march north on 16th to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, west on the Parkway to the reviewing stands at Logan Circle. The parade ends at 20th and Parkway.
