Each March, the United States celebrates Irish-American heritage month, coinciding of course with Ireland’s national holiday on March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day. Irish-American heritage month is a special proclamation issued yearly by the United States President to honor the achievements and contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants living in the United States.
On Tuesday, March 17, 2015 President Obama will welcome Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny of Ireland to the White House. In the morning, the President will meet with the Taoiseach in the Oval Office, and subsequently he will attend the traditional St. Patrick’s Day lunch at the U.S. Capitol. In the evening, the President and the First Lady will host a reception to celebrate their fifth St. Patrick’s Day at the White House. During the reception, the President and Taoiseach (Prime Minister) will participate in the annual Shamrock ceremony. It symbolizes the profound kinship between Ireland and the United States. According to records, the ceremony first began in 1952, when the Irish Ambassador John Joseph Hearne sent a box of shamrock to President Truman at the White House. President Truman was out of town at the time, but later sent Ambassador Hearne a message, in which Truman said that he hoped “relations between the two countries will continue to be on a good and effective level for generations.”
To read more about the Irish-American heritage month and see a video on the history of the Shamrock ceremony click here!
