March 13, 2006

Celebration of Irish History and Heritage Month

The Board of Legislators celebrated all things Irish before the start of its March 13, 2006 meeting. The Police Emerald Society of Westchester's Pipes & Drums made a grand entrance and were followed by selections of lively Irish dance performed by renowned fiddler, Brian Conway.  The ceremony concluded with presentations of proclamations to the American Irish Association of Westchester declaring March Irish History & Heritage month in Westchester and to Capt. Sean Flynn, just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq leading the storied Fighting 69th, the Irish Brigade.

The Police Emerald Society of Westchester Pipes and Drums entered the chambers playing "God Bless America."

Rev. Donald V. O'Brien, S.J. opened the evening with a special prayer.		Irish scholar Liam Murphy spoke about a unique chapter of Irish history relating to Commodore Barry.

Brian Conway (accompanied by Felix Dolan on keyboard), plays a selection of Irish dance music in the New York-Sligo style.

Chair Bill Ryan presents Brian Conway with a Proclamation in recognition of his induction into the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (Traditional Musicians Society of Ireland) Hall of Fame.		Legislators Vito Pinto and Jim Maisano present a Proclamation to Captain Sean Flynn representing "The Fighting 69th, The Irish Brigade"

Pat Brady, of Westchester County's Public Safety Department, shared a turn of the century family photograph of her grandfather gathered with his fellow Port Chester Irish Volunteers.

Jill Freedman shared her book, Fiddler's Light, Laughter & Love: A Romp Through Ireland, a beautiful and moving collection of photographs depicting the many faces of Ireland.