The Pawtucket St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee hosted the annual Irish flag-raising at Pawtucket City Hall this afternoon.

The flag-raising was preceded by a brief speaking program in the City Hall lobby where Master of Ceremonies Sean O’brien introduced Mayor Donald Grebien, who spoke of the contributions made by people of Irish heritage to the City of Pawtucket. In O’brien’s remarks, he noted that this year marks the 100^th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland where an armed insurrection was mounted in opposition to British rule. Also included in the speaking program was State Representative Mary Duffy-Messier, chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

In his remarks, Mayor Grebien commended O’Brien and Rep. Duffy-Messier for keeping the City’s traditions and sense of history alive. “I want to thank the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and Sean O’brien for continuing to carry on the important traditions that we have here in the City,” said the Mayor. “If you are lucky enough to be Irish, then you are lucky enough,” stated the Mayor quoting from an old Irish saying. “The City of Pawtucket is lucky enough to be steeped in Irish heritage and to have benefited from the dedication to family and community that those early generations of Irish settlers brought with them,” continued Grebien.

The ceremony closed with the Irish flag being raised outside of City Hall by O’brien, joined by Mayor Grebien, Rep. Duff-Messier, Rep. David Coughlin and Pawtucket City Councilors Mary Bray and Mark Wildenhain as the Irish national anthem was played.