Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in D.C.: Green Ties and Green Fountains
St. Patrick’s Day
New Hampshire Union Leader
Aoife Connors
Boston University Washington News Service
March 17, 2009
WASHINGTON – On St. Patrick’s Day “we’re all Irish,” Rep Paul Hodes (D- N.H.) said Tuesday. “My wife’s nickname is Peggo,” Hodes said. “Pegg O’Hodes sounds very Irish, so I always say she is from the Irish side of the family.”
Celebrations marking St. Patrick’s Day were clearly visible in Washington Tuesday, and the White House water fountains on the north and south lawns were dyed green to mark the official Irish public holiday.
Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) marked the Irish saint’s day by wearing a green tie, promoting his Scottish-Irish roots. Hodes also sported a classy green tie with golden stars to mark the Irish day.
Hodes said in a telephone interview, “We are very lucky in New Hampshire to have a long tradition and great connection with the Irish.” The Shaskeen Irish pub in Manchester is a very popular loud and rousing spot on St. Patrick’s Day, Hodes said.
Hodes said he is a fan of the Irish stout. “I generally like half Guinness and half a good Irish ale.”
Barack Obama is another great Democratic president with strong Irish roots, Hodes said. “The surname is obviously of Irish origin, as in O’Bama.’ ”
The President extended an Irish “Cead Mile Failte” – one hundred thousand welcomes – to Irish Taoiseach (akin to prime minister) Brian Cowen and his wife, Mary. President Obama in his speech said “the bond between our countries could not be stronger.”
The two leaders quipped that their families had come from county Offaly in the Irish midlands. His great-great-great-grandfather came from Moneygall in county Offaly, Obama said, the same county that Cowen is from.
During the meeting between the two leaders, Cowen told the president there is an Irish saying, “Is Feidir Linn,” that means “yes, you can” before he presented the President with a Waterford crystal bowl of Irish shamrock. Obama said the shamrock represented OK? the deep and enduring bond between Americans and Irish.
Obama also announced Tuesday that Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney will be nominated as U.S. ambassador to Ireland.
Cowen was a special guest at the St. Patrick’s Day lunch hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Obama also attended the lunch after meeting with Cowen.
A traditional Irish lunch of smoked salmon, crab and avocado was served with a yellow pepper coulee. Also on the menu were lamb chops, fried potatoes, a fondue of vegetables and a shamrock cookie served for dessert with Ghirardelli chocolate praline mousse. Live traditional Irish music was performed by Liz Carroll and John Doyle.
Ireland is one of the most beautiful and miraculous countries, with some of the most extraordinary spots on earth, Hodes said. “It is a land of poetry and song with a tremendous spirit.”
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