By Alberto Suris
Every year during the month of March, the Ancient Order of Hibernians celebrates their Irish heritage. They have been doing this for 143 years, and this year it was no exception.
On March 1st, in a brief ceremony, they raised their flag across from Lawrence City Hall. The next day, Sunday early in the morning, they held their popular road race departing and ending at the Claddagh Pub. The winners of the event were Zackary Lankow of Lawrence, MA who was also the 2013 winner, and Julie Tucci of Wilmington, MA.
Also on Sunday they held a reception and an exhibit at the Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitors Center where Michael Quinlan of the Boston Irish Tourism Association, spoke of his new book, “Irish Boston: A Lively Look at Boston’s Colorful Irish Past”, in front of a enchanted audience.
On March 5th, they welcomed Jillian O’Keefe during her first trip to Lawrence as Vice Consul General of Ireland. O’Keefe toured the South Lawrence Branch Library where she was able to admire the Irish collection, consisting of nearly 10,000 books, audio and visual media, periodicals, newspapers and memorabilia that makes one of the largest collections of its kind on the East Coast. It is truly a gem for the City of Lawrence.
While at the Library, Ms O’Keefe read to over 100 students in Grades 1–3 of the Lawrence Catholic Academy who were captivated by her readings. The students besieged Ms O’Keefe with their questions.
After being absent for the past three years, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is making a comeback on Saturday, March 15, 2014.
For a complete calendar of events on the Month of the Irish Heritage, go to www.rumbonews.com and check it out on page 8, March 1st, 2014 edition.
