As many of you may know this Tuesday is St Patrick’s day, so I thought I would use this opportunity to talk a little about Irish Heritage Month, which of course is March. Many of us probably have Irish heritage. I myself am Irish on my mother’s side, my paternal great grandparents coming to this country from County Cork Ireland, where I still have family to this day. In 1991 congress declared for the first time that March would be National Irish Heritage Month and a time to celebrate Irish immigrants and all the wonderful contributions Irish and Irish Americans have made to America. The Irish like many did not always have an easy time in America they had to overcome many prejudices to be accepted, but now everyone can celebrate Ireland and Irish people no matter your heritage and learn about the wonderful customs, food, and culture that Ireland and its people have to offer, the whole month of March as well as the 17th.
Upcoming Events
Monday, Mar. 16th
3:30 p.m.: Code Club
6 p.m.: Mystery Monday: Taco Earbud Holders
6 p.m.: Crochet Club
Tuesday, Mar. 17th
9:30 a.m.: Baby Bounce
10:30 a.m. Early Literacy Storytime
4 p.m.: D.I.Y. Green top Hats
5-6 p.m.: Tech Tuesday
7 p.m.: Open Book Club
Thursday, Mar. 19th
3:30 p.m.: Read to Luna
6 p.m.: Baby Bounce
6:30 p.m.: Storytime
If you would like to learn more about Ireland and its people here are a few great reads for Irish Heritage Month we have at the Great Bend Library:
Irish folktales edited by Henry Glassie.
Irish American chronicle by Thomas Fleming
Out of Ireland: the story of Irish emigration to America by Kerby Miller and Paul Wagner.
Kansas Irish by Charles B. Driscoll.
Or if you want to find out if you have Irish heritage. Come check out our display of Irish genealogy books. We have a wide variety of books on the subject available. If you need assistance or one on one help you can make an appointment with Jerri while your here or give her a call at 620-792-2409 and set up an appointment. We also have a D.I.Y. green top hat craft for our teens on St Patrick’s day. Teens can come in and celebrate the holiday by making their own green top hat.
We wish everyone a happy St Patrick’s day and a wonderful Irish heritage month. For more event info or other library information, please visit our Facebook page or website (greatbendpl.info), stop by the library (1409 Williams St), or give us a call (620-792-2409). We hope to see you soon.
Hannah Grippin is the outreach and marketing manager for the Great Bend Public Library. She can be reached by email at gbcirc@gmail.com.
