The Ancient Order of Hibernians James A. Curran Division 1 and the Ladies Order of Hibernians Division 2 of Hampden/Hampshire Counties will celebrate Irish American Heritage Month with an Irish flag raising ceremony at Holyoke City Hall on Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m. at Holyoke City Hall. The public is invited to attend.

Hibernian President Joseph O’Connor will preside as Master of Ceremonies. St Patrick’s Parade President Jim Wildman, Parade Grand Marshal Michael Moriarty, Ladies Order of Hibernians President Mary Kate O’Connor, President Sean Cahillane of the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England all plan to attend. Piper Matt O’Connor will play the pipes at the event and Sheila Moreau will sing the American and Irish Anthems. 

Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia and City officials will also attend.

Some 31.5 million Americans claim Irish Ancestry. The colors of the symbolic Irish Flag represent Green for Roman Catholics and Nationalism, Orange for the Protestant minority, and the White in between the two colors as hope for lasting peace between the two.

The U.S. Congress designated March as Irish American Heritage Month in 1991 to recognize the contributions Irish Americans have made to the country. The Ancient Order of Hibernians was founded in New York City in 1836 and in 1880 in Holyoke.