Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Nestled within the diverse tapestry of Arizona’s cultural landscape lies a vibrant thread woven with the rich history and enduring influence of Irish heritage.
“Our state was founded by a lot of Irish folks,” says Ciara Archer, operations director of Arizona’s Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library.
According to authors Janice Ryan Bryson and Kathleen Shappee Wood in their book, “Irish Arizona,” the first documented Irishman in Arizona was Hugo O’Conor, who established the Presidio of Tucson for the Spanish government in 1775.
Other notable Irishmen who left their mark on our state include former Yavapai County Sheriff Buckey O’Neill, the Brophy and Riordan families and the Sisters of Mercy, who in 1895 established the Phoenix area’s first hospital, St. Joseph’s.
Therefore, owing so much of its history and landscape to Irish influence, it is only natural that our state’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are among the best in the entire country. From parades to green fountains, the traditions, tastes, sounds and spirit of Ireland can be experienced this month in communities across Arizona.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire
Set for Saturday, March 16, at 10 a.m., the 41st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will stroll down Third Street from Oak Street to Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix, where until 5 p.m. attendees can enjoy a traditional Irish faire.
Highlights of the faire include local and international Irish bands, Irish dancers, Irish sports and traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods and beverages such as corned beef and cabbage, Irish beer and Busker Irish Whiskey.
“We are going into our 41st year, and it all started with a passionate mixture of Irish-born and Irish Americans with a love of Irish culture and heritage,” says Jeff Aspland, president of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire. “It takes passion from a dedicated group who are willing to work through hurdles of time and change to persevere over four decades.”
A particularly notable new addition to the event is the Arizona Irish History Walkway, where attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the Irish individuals who helped build our state.
“As the community has grown, so should our parade and faire,” Aspland says. “We are here to share and celebrate the Arizona Irish community and reference ‘Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day’ when considering the diverse community in Arizona.
“The biggest thing that makes the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire unique in Arizona is the weather. Our patrons wear shorts and a bit of sunscreen. It is rare to get that weather in Chicago, Boston or New York on St. Patrick’s Day. We also bring a Southwestern flair with our theme of ‘The Greenest Day in the Desert;’ our [parade] floats have clovers and cacti.”
The following day, the nearby Irish Cultural Center will host its official St. Patrick’s Day events, including a ceili — a family-oriented Irish social dance.
Sedona St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Those who want to complement their green with a splash of red can travel north to Sedona — where, on Saturday, March 16, at 10:30 a.m., the city’s Parks and Recreation Department will host its 52nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“The Sedona St. Patrick’s Day Parade stands out with its breathtaking backdrop of stunning red rock formations, creating a uniquely picturesque setting for this event,” says Josh Frewin, the department’s manager. “This celebration in Sedona offers a distinctive blend of Irish spirit and Southwestern charm, making it an experience that sets it apart from any other St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Arizona.”
Once staged on the main thoroughfare of Highway 89A, the parade now marches down Jordan Road from Jordan Historical Park south to Mesquite Avenue.
“The Sedona St. Patrick’s Day Parade enriches Arizona’s cultural tapestry by fostering a sense of community unity through a celebration that transcends cultural boundaries,” Frewin says. “It serves as a vibrant example of how diverse traditions can come together, showcasing the commitment to embracing and celebrating various cultures and their influences, ultimately enhancing the richness and diversity of Arizona’s cultural landscape.
Greening of the Fountain
One of America’s most well-known St. Patrick’s Day traditions takes place in Illinois, where the Chicago River has been dyed green each March 17 for the past 60 years. However, did you know that one of Arizona’s communities also celebrates the holiday in a similar fashion?
“It all started on St. Patrick’s Day in 1978 when a young homebuilder rode his horse into a local tavern to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and his heritage,” says Bowen “Bo” Larsen, community relations director and public information officer for the town of Fountain Hills.
This then led to a $250 bet to turn the town’s fountain green and water-ski around it the following year.
“So, on St. Patrick’s Day 1979, with a large crowd watching from shore, the world-famous fountain was dyed green, and all of the bettors skied around [it] as planned, except for one [who] could not get up on the skis,” Larsen adds. “Now, 45 years later, what started as a bet in a bar has become the annual Greening of the Fountain in Fountain Hills on St. Patrick’s Day.”
The tradition will continue this year on Sunday, March 17, at noon, when 55 gallons of environmentally friendly dye will be injected into the fountain’s jet spray, thereby turning the water emerald green. Built in 1970 in Zurich, Switzerland, by Fountain Hills developer Robert P. McCulloch, the fountain reaches a full height of 560 feet, making it the fourth tallest in the world.
“The dye causes no harm to the water,” says Larsen, noting that the fountain irrigates the surrounding park, which is home to a variety of wildlife.
At sunset, the fountain will also be bathed in green light to extend the town’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration well into the night.
Experience Ireland at MIM
At the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, guests have the opportunity to travel to countries around the globe — including Ireland — all yearlong through the fascinating cultural lens of the many musical instruments on display in its galleries. Among them is a 200-year-old Irish harp.
“Irish harps are commonly known from their use as the symbol of Guinness Beer,” says Naomi Primeau, MIM’s public programs specialist. “There is also a violin from 1762, which is a tangible example of fiddle music in Ireland. Another instrument is uillean pipes from 1950. These provide another interpretation of bagpipes. Rather than blowing into the bag like a typical bagpipe, the player uses a bellows operated by pumping the arm.”
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day weekend, MIM will on March 16 and 17 shine an even brighter spotlight on the Emerald Isle with its Experience Ireland event, which is part of the museum’s popular Signature Event series that focuses on a different region of the world, genre of music or musical icon each month.
“MIM always aims to showcase an appreciation of the world’s diverse culture through music, which we refer to as ‘the language of the soul,’” Primeau says. “Through the historical storytelling of instruments and performances, our museum is able to capture how music connects the world — which will be seen through our Experience Ireland program.”
Activities will include a musical craft, an opportunity to play a concertina, engaging lectures, an Irish stepdance workshop and lively performances from Irish-related artists — including Altan, whose repertoire features touching old Irish songs and hard-hitting reels and jigs.
“This program specifically celebrates the beauty of the Irish culture by focusing on how music has impacted society throughout history and that alone sets us apart from other celebrations around the Valley,” Primeau adds. “The Irish have been in Arizona since the early 18th century. Although the population size of the community has not been the largest in the Valley, they have contributed immensely to Arizona as a whole through shared histories, culture and music.”
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