Shown above singing together a very moving rendition of Danny Boy at the St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Knights of Columbus Friday evening are State Representative Gene O’Flaherty and State Treasurer Steven Grossman
The Annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the John F. Kennedy Knights of Columbus Hall in Charlestown Friday evening drew a huge throng of people from all walks of life – and many, many Irish from this community.
It was a night for food and dancing, for small talk and for green colored everything which was sponsored by Representative Eugene O’Flaherty and the Flatley Company.
Once again, Dan Flatley stood in for his late father Tom, who so loved the event and helped to make it what it is today for the people of Charlestown.
“Everything went well. We had a great night,” Rep. O’Flaherty said.
Indeed. About 400 people attended the party.
Music was provided by the Andy Healey Band.
The Bunker Hill Pipes & Drums did their thing but had to shorten the show just a bit in order to go to their next gig – which was performing as the opening act for the Drop Kick Murphy’s.
“Over the years, they’ve gotten better and better and more successful in every way,” O’Flaherty said of the Bunker Hill Pipes and Drums group.
One the evening’s major performances included the dancers from the Goulding School of Irish Stepdance, who wowed the crowd.
This dance group is the creation of Deirdre Goulding. Her dance troupe includes a large contingent of dancers from Charlestown.
“I love those dancers and I especially love the Gouldings. Deirdre’s father comes from Kerry – and that’s where my father was from and they even knew one another,” O’Flaherty added.
Griffin Caterers provided a wonderful corned beef and cabbage dinner with all the fixings.
State Treasurer Steven Grossman, Attorney General Martha Coakley, and Boston City Councillor Sal LaMattina attended the party among a number of other politicians and businesspeople.
Mayor Thoms Menino usually attends the event but was unable to be there due to other commitments.
In all, it was another great success and an evening of great celebration of Irish food, culture and music of the Emerald Isle.