City Hall Comes Alive with Traditional Irish Music and Dance at Annual Saint Patrick's Day Celebration

Mayor Taveras highlights project to restore mayoral portraits at City Hall

Providence City Hall came alive with traditional Irish music and dance today, when Mayor Angel Taveras hosted the city's annual Saint Patrick's Day celebration.

"Today we highlight Irish American achievement and the enduring traditions of the Irish in Providence and throughout our nation," said Mayor Taveras. "The pride, optimism and energy that generations of Irish immigrants brought to our shores are among the most inspiring qualities that continue to define our great city. Irish heritage and culture are alive and well in Providence."

Paul MacDonald, president of the Rhode Island Central Federated Labor Council, was the guest speaker at the formal celebration on the second and third floors of City Hall. The event began with a bagpipe procession by the Providence Police Department Pipes and Drums, and concluded with an Irish step dance performance by the Goulding School of Irish Dance. Rev. Michael McMahon of Saint Augustine's Church in Providence delivered a blessing and invocation. Mayor Taveras delivered a Mayoral Citation to the Providence Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee.

In his formal address, Mayor Taveras highlighted a special project of the City Archivist to restore several mayoral portraits in City Hall, beginning with the portrait of Mayor Patrick J. McCarthy. Born in Ireland, McCarthy was the city's first foreign-born mayor and served from 1907 to 1909.

A fund has been established to direct resources toward the Mayoral Portrait Restoration Project. Private donations are welcome. Those interested in contributing to the project can contact City Archivist Paul Campbell at 421-7740, ext. 588.

Images of the mayoral portraits, along with brief biographies are available online at: http://www.providenceri.com/archives/history/mayors-biographies