St. Patrick's Day ☘️ x Irish American Heritage Month 🇮🇪
Happy St.Patrick’s Day GumGum! In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and Irish American Heritage Month, we asked a few GumGummers of Irish heritage to share about their St. Patrick’s Day traditions and what it means to them!
Did you know?
In 1991, the United States Congress designated March as National Irish American Heritage Month, and every year since, the president has issued a proclamation to commemorate the month, which includes St. Patrick's Day on March 17th.
Continue reading for a personal account of how the day is celebrated and what it means to them
Traditions + Celebrations
“my fam had our corned beef and cabbage st patricks day din din!” - Kayla Smalls, Corporate Communications Manager
”My grandmother still sends St. Patrick's Day rosettes over from Ireland for my two girls, as she used to do for me, my sister, and all our cousins when we were kids!” - James Donovan, Client Strategy Director
“I live right where the parade in nyc ends, so spend the day enjoying the neighborhood and random bagpipers that post up on the sidewalk” - Shannon Scanlin, Sr. Marketing Manager, Global Marketing
Family Stories
My grandfather immigrated from Ireland and we still have deep connections to our heritage. Just last year my family was able to visit my grandfather's hometown and see the cottage where he and his nine brothers grew up! I am named after one of Conn of the Hundred Battle's daughters. A legendary high king of ireland who lived somewhere between 100-200 AD. Saraid means "excellence" in gaelic/irish mythology. We carried on our family tradition of irish mythology and named our son Ronan, which has two meanings in Irish - it translates roughly to "little seal". Ronan in Irish mythology is also connected to a renowned warrior and poet - the name evokes strength & intelligence, wisdom and valor! - Kelly Gaughan, Account Director
My grandfather immigrated from Ireland and we still have deep connections to our heritage. Just last year my family was able to visit my grandfather's hometown and see the cottage where he and his nine brothers grew up! I am named after one of Conn of the Hundred Battle's daughters. A legendary high king of ireland who lived somewhere between 100-200 AD. Saraid means "excellence" in gaelic/irish mythology. We carried on our family tradition of irish mythology and named our son Ronan, which has two meanings in Irish - it translates roughly to "little seal". Ronan in Irish mythology is also connected to a renowned warrior and poet - the name evokes strength & intelligence, wisdom and valor!
- Saraid Donnelly, Manager, Account Management
Recommendations
“Say Nothing” by Patrick Radden Keefe is one of my all time favorite books! It’s now a TV show too about Northern Ireland and the IRA.Also, anything by Claire Keegan, is brilliant writing by a modern, powerhouse female Irish writer - I particularly recommend “Small Things Like These”!
- Lauren Angelini, Product Operations Manager
💡 Ways you can celebrate & learn:
Learn & Explore:
Research Irish immigration history and contributions to the US.
Read Irish literature or watch Irish films/TV shows.
Experience the Culture:
Attend a St. Patrick's Day parade or festival.
Try Irish food and drink at a local pub or restaurant.