eNewsletter
Friday, March 17th, is St. Patrick’s Day!
Yonkers has a long history of proud Irish immigrants in Southeast Yonkers on and around McLean Avenue. The neighborhood was dubbed “Dublin on the Throughway” by a 2002 New York Times article, and the news organization Voice of America highlighted the community in a 2012 segment. From community organizations like Aisling Irish Community Center to long-standing local favorites like Rory Dolan’s and the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Irish community in Yonkers continues to thrive.
Irish immigrant communities in the United States have transformed the way that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated. Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day is the feast day for the patron saint of Ireland. He is credited with the legend of driving every snake out of Ireland, as well as using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
In the United States, the holiday became less religious and focused more on a celebration of all things Irish. Cities and towns organize massive parades that often feature pipe bands and Irish dancers. Chicago has dyed its river green every year since 1962 to celebrate the holiday. Revelers, whether they are Irish or not, often wear green, drink beer, and enjoy Irish foods like corned beef and cabbage.
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we hope you’ll join us at the Yonkers Public Library! The Crestwood Branch is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Party from 3:30-5:30 PM with stories, crafts, games and food.
You can also check out some of these books about Irish culture and experiences, as well as some famous works written by Irish authors!
If you have a young reader in your life, be sure to check out some of these books about St. Patrick’s Day and its history.
Alison Robles is a part-time page at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, history and science fiction. A Yonkers native, she graduated from Iona University in 2020 with a dual-degree in Marketing and Public Relations.