Events
CELEBRATING ETHNICITY - HOME AND AWAY
Thursday 10 March 2005
Venue: Ulster American Folk Park
Description of Event:
St Patrick's Day is celebrated
around the world, thanks to emigrants from Ireland. In many places it is not
just a day for the Irish and their descendants but one for the whole community.
Staff of the Centre for Migration Studies and the Ulster American Folk Park
at Omagh in County Tyrone invite people to attend a short presentation on
how the celebration of St Patrick's Day in Ireland and around the world has
developed over the years. It will be followed by discussion and in particular
we hope that this event will provide an opportunity to explore how recent
immigrants to Ireland feel about the way St Patrick's Day is celebrated here
in comparison with other countries and the way they celebrate their National
Days. Museum staff will also re-enact elements of The American or Living Wake
of the mid 19th century. This ritual was a time when emigrants bade a sad
farewell to family and friends by attending a farewell gathering in recognition
of the fact that more than likely they would never again return to their homeland.
Contact
Tel: 028 8225 6315
Fax: 028 8224 2241
Email CentreMigStudies@ni-libraries.net
