Lexington Celebrates Irish Heritage Month

LEXINGTON, Ky. – In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, most people tend to associate this day with parades, indulgences and splashes of green in their wardrobe. But, for one Lexington citizen, this day represents more than that. City resident, Tony Gallagher, proposed an idea that transformed March to not just a day, but an entire month of celebrating Lexington’s rich Irish heritage.

How It All Began

Gallagher’s pride for his Irish heritage and curiosity about Lexington’s Irish history led him to start a dialogue with Mayor Linda Gorton. “I’m the youngest of ten, and my dad raised us to have pride in our heritage,” said Gallagher, recounting how things kicked off.

In his early communications with Gorton, Gallagher suggested the idea of celebrating March 1 as ‘Irish Freedom Day’. The discussions then evolved into designating the whole of March as ‘Irish Heritage Month’ for Lexington. “I emailed her on a whim and her office responded. They worked with me on the scripting, and I must say, I’m thrilled that she went ahead with this,” confessed an elated Gallagher.

Irish Heritage in Lexington

There’s more to this city than Lexington’s Irish Heritage Month, as many establishments and communities work tirelessly to preserve its Irish roots. An example is McCarthy’s Irish Bar on South Upper St, which has earned a reputation as a hub for the local Irish community. Jimmy Ryan, a native Lexingtonian, remarks, “It’s an unbelievable community. You really have to experience it to believe it. And this place (McCarthy’s Irish Bar) is our center hub to the whole lot.”

A Close-knit Community

Peter Kiely, part-owner of McCarthy’s, also highlights the sense of unity within the Irish community in Lexington. “If anyone is ever in need due to injury or any other troubles, there’ll be a fundraiser, and everyone would join together to help out,” says Kiely, signifying the close ties that bind this community.

Broadening Horizons

While St. Patrick’s Day is a widely recognized day for acknowledging Irish heritage, Gallagher emphasizes that Irish Heritage Month goes beyond that—it is a time to acknowledge the numerous contributions, vibrant presence, and rich history of the Irish community in the Bluegrass. “We’re still here, we’re still a part of the community, and speaking for myself, I love being here,” said Gallagher

Upcoming Celebrations

Lexington is set to celebrate St. Patrick’s day on March 17 with a free Irish festival. The festivities will kick off at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday with a ‘Blessing of the Keg’ at Tandy Park. A parade will follow, scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. along Main St.