Irish eyes smile across the U.S. and Ireland
March 18, 1996
Web posted at: 7:00 a.m. EST(CNN) Irish-Americans and Irish-American wannabes took to the streets of cities all across the United States this weekend to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. (254K AIFF sound or 254K WAV sound)
Even across the Atlantic in Dublin, where the festival of the patron saint of Ireland has always been a little more staid, some 300,000 people braved raid, cold and gray skies for a carnival-like parade. (699K QuickTime movie)
Many of the celebrations took on a more somber note over the wave of recent bombings claimed by the Irish Republican Army in London. Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing, attended mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York Saturday morning before walking up Fifth Avenue in the city's traditional parade. (1MB QuickTime movie)
Celebrations took place in Savannah, Georgia, New York City, Indianapolis, Indiana, Boston, Dallas and Chicago -- but perhaps the most touching moment of celebration happened in Washington, where 140 people, mostly from Ireland, were sworn in as new U.S. citizens.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Carol Browner opened the event with the story of her father's emigration from Ireland 40 years ago.
"Resolve to be part of making the choices that face this nation," Browner told the group. "Don't leave it to others."
Former Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds also addressed the group.
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