Lynn ceremony marks start of Irish Heritage month

LYNN – The Irish-Americans of the North Shore kicked off national Irish Heritage month Tuesday at Lynn City Hall with traditional Irish dancing, hymns and bagpipes.The Lynn-area division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians put on the event, which drew about 40 people, to announce the start of a month of Irish-related activities throughout the North Shore.Mike Wall is the group’s president. He said Irish-Americans have celebrated their heritage in March ever since President Ronald Reagan deemed the month the official Irish heritage month.Wall said Irish culture is alive in Lynn, but he said it’s about to get bigger.About a decade ago, most Hibernians were elderly members who didn’t pass on the tradition to their children, Wall said. That’s changing, he said.”It’s starting to become a family event again,” he said.Sixteen-year-old Emily Walsh and 15-year-old Kalen O’Hare highlighted the family-inclusive event with their Irish step dance performance.They are daughters of Hibernian members and have been practicing Irish step dance almost all their lives.”It’s fun to perform,” O’Hare said, dressed in traditional Irish dancing clothes.”My friends think it’s really cool because it’s like a hard thing to do,” Walsh added.They and several younger dancers performed traditional step dances Tuesday, introduced by Sgt. Ned Shinnick with the Lynn Police Department, who played the bagpipes.The Hibernians will host more local Irish-heritage events throughout the month. On March 16 at 11 a.m., they will raise the Irish flag over Lynn City Hall. And on March 25 they will host a 5K run.Amber Parcher can be reached at [email protected].