(Radio Iowa) – A member of the Irish parliament has been in northwest Iowa for Emmetsburg’s annual Irish Celebration. Cathal Crowe says the connections to his country are evident. “Some people I’ve met here, they’re third and fourth Irish generation and, yes, they feel a huge kinship with the home country of Ireland and I think it’s great to see that,” he said. “I’m glad to be over here this week representing the Irish government and trying to foster that connection between Ireland and, indeed, the dispara community here in Emmetsburg.”

Crowe has represented County Clare in Ireland’s parliament since 2020. He says March 17th is a wonderful day to celebrate the Irish — wherever they may be. “What we really value, and I value as a politicians is that it’s one day of the year, it’s sacrosanct, that Ireland has a foot into every country that you could image,” Crowe says. Emmetsburg’s annual week-long St. Patrick’s celebration got underway last Monday with its Junior Miss and Miss Shamrock contests.

Crowe got to Emmetsburg last Wednesday and was the grand marshal of the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade this past Saturday.