Lunch & Learn -
The History of St. Patrick's Day

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Cost: $20 (fee will cover the program and lunch, meal tax and gratuity included)

Location: "The Gallery" at the H.A.R.P. Museum located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley at 623 Columbia St., Utica

Register: https://bit.ly/46zZf8Q 

Contact: Chris Hoke at (315) 733-4228 Ext. 6 or irishccmv@gmail.com

The H.A.R.P. Museum at the Irish Cultural Center continues its popular Lunch and Learn series on Wednesday, March 4th at 11 AM, with a talk on "The History of St. Patrick's Day."

Who Was St. Patrick?

St Patrick was a missionary credited with bringing a new religion to a tiny island in the far west of Europe in the 5th century. The Catholic Church established a Feast Day in his honor, marking the anniversary of his death on March 17, 461 AD. Early celebrations were reverent, but have revolved over the centuries into the international party we all know it to be today.  

At this Lunch and Learn, speaker Mary McGuirl looks at the cultural and historical factors that influenced the exploding popularity of this man and his myth. She will also take a look at some of the celebrations held in his honor in other parts of the globe.  

Meet Our Speaker

A lifelong Utican, Mary McGuirl has a passion for Irish culture and history that was sparked in childhood, during long hours spent listening to the stories of her beloved grandfather, Mike McGuirl, Sr., founder and long-time proprietor of Utica's "Irish House of McGuirl" restaurant; which played host to several St. Patrick's Day celebrations of its own.

Sounds Great… Where Can I Learn More?

You can attend this presentation at the H.A.R.P. Museum, located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica. A $20 registration fee will cover the program and lunch; meal tax and gratuity are included. Please register at https://bit.ly/46zZf8Q, or leave a message at (315) 733-4228 Ext 6. All are welcome to attend this program and the museum is wheelchair accessible. 

Join us for our latest “Lunch and Learn” – Where you can feed your mind and your belly! ☘️

See all of our upcoming cultural events!