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Irish flag raising in Utica a reminder of area's Irish culture

Story Created: Mar 10, 2010 at 6:11 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 10, 2010 at 6:40 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - March is Irish Heritage month in the City of Utica, and for the second year, the Irish flag is flying high above Hanna Park after a ceremony at City Hall Wednesday afternoon.

March 17 marks the death of Ireland's patron saint - St. Patrick, and Kevin Dowling, the assistant director of the Great American Irish Festival said sometimes the real meaning of holidays has a tendency to slip through the cracks.

"Irish immigrants that were soldiers in the British army were not allowed to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Ireland like they wanted," Dowling said. "So, they came to America here and found the freedom of religion. It took off, and it's one of the oldest traditions in American culture."

Dowling said that millions of Americans claim Irish heritage, but on Saint Patrick's Day, everyone has a little Irish in them