 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
   |
Irish History
Harsh British rule and famine forced many Irish families to leave their homeland in search of better living conditions in the United States. The wide expansion of fertile prairie with tree lined rivers and streams in Palo Alto County proved to be an ideal haven for some of these displaced people.
Emmetsburg, the county seat, was mostly populated by the Irish. The chosen name, after a famous patriot, reflected the interest in their culture. Customs passed down from generation to generation were practiced by the young community.
One
of these customs was observing the feast day of Ireland’s patron
saint. With the passage of time, the ritual lost most of its importance
until 1961. A group of Irish lads, believing “no one loves a parade
more than the Irish”, donned green derbies, carried their coat
of arms and marched proudly through the main thoroughfare of Emmetsburg
on March 17th, the feast day of St. Patrick.
The small parade mushroomed into an elaborate three-day celebration involving many hours of work and time from individuals, civic and service clubs, and businesses. The St. Patrick’s Association was formed to plan and coordinate events. The organizers strive to have an entertaining program to develop an interest in ethnic heritage and history and to commemorate St. Patrick. Many nationalities, along with the Irish, who now live in Palo Alto County and Emmetsburg, all work together to sponsor the festival.
St. Patrick’s Day in Emmetsburg, like Christmas, means coming home for the holiday, where families and old friends join together for a glorious time!
Growing up in impoverished Ireland in the late 1700’s, Robert Emmet chose to give up the affluent life of a privileged protestant youth and fight for the freedom of his persecuted Catholic countrymen. This decision would cost him his own life. Taking part in a failed campaign to overthrow the English castle in Dublin, he was captured and hung in 1803, at the early age of twenty five. He was endeared to all because of his strong moral values and courage, a true advocate of human rights.
Robert Emmet Statue
In the foreground of the Palo Alto County courthouse square, mounted high on a pedestal, the likeness of Robert Emmet keeps a watchful eye over the activities of the community named for him.
Jerome
Connor, Irish born sculptor, created the life-size bronze statue of Emmet.
Three others were cast from the same mold.
At an early age, Jerome left Ireland to join his older brother, Tim, in Massachusetts. He opted for work over an education. As it happened, his employment with a monument company proved to be an education in itself. The trades he learned there enabled him later to become a highly sought-after sculptor in both stone and bronze.
Much of this work as a commissioned sculptor was done in and around Washington D.C., where he and his family lived for twenty years. It was there that he cast the Robert Emmet statues which are now strategically located across the hemisphere: Dublin, Ireland, Washington D.C., Emmetsburg, Iowa, and San Francisco, CA. Some of his other creations in the vicinity of the Capitol are Angels of the Battlefield, Archbishop John Carroll, Supreme Sacrifices, and Colonel John Joyce. The monument, dedicated to those whose lives were lost when the cruise ship Lusitania was sunk, is one of his last large works. It was finally installed at Cobh Harbor, Cork City, after his death in 1943.
Hats Off to the Irish!
Home |
Attractions & Recreation | Community
Services | Health Care & Education
Local Government | Business & Industry | Chamber of Commerce | Search | Contact Us | Site
Map
City of Emmetsburg
2021 Main St
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-4030