Why does New York celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
Every March 17th, New York celebrates St. Patrick's Day, the patron saint of Ireland. What's the connection between New York and Ireland? Here's the answer.
New York and Ireland: A Deep Connection
- March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day, marks Ireland’s national holiday. The Irish patron saint is celebrated just as enthusiastically on the other side of the Atlantic, in New York.
- Why does New York honor an Irish saint with such fanfare? The answer lies in history. New York is home to the largest Irish-American community in the United States. In the late 19th century, when Ireland was struck by a devastating famine, nearly 2 million Irish people boarded ships for the New World and settled in New York.
- The immigrants integrated quickly into their new home. Many Irish became police officers and firefighters in New York, taking on difficult jobs that few others were willing to do at the time. This calling passed from father to son. Today, you’ll still find many firefighters with Irish surnames. Here’s a sobering fact: of the 343 firefighters and paramedics who died responding to the September 11, 2001 attacks, 40% were of Irish descent.
- Irish immigrants also became influential in politics, notably the Kennedy family in the 1960s, as well as in media and the church.
March 17: A Special Day in New York
- March 17 is celebrated with great enthusiasm in New York. Each year, a major parade bringing together New York’s Irish community departs at 11 am from the corner of Fifth Avenue and 44th Street. Make sure you’re there.
- Another highlight of the day: the spire of the Empire State Building is illuminated entirely in green. A visit to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the most Irish of American cathedrals, is also well worth your time.
- Just steps from One World Trade Center, don’t miss the Irish Famine Memorial. This monument captures the spirit of the Irish landscape.
