Join in on the good time at Museum’s St. Pat’s event

JEFFERSON, Iowa, March 13, 2023 — Count on a good time at the Greene County Historical Museum on St. Patrick’s Day, when the whole world is Irish.

To celebrate the day, the Greene County Historical Society is hosting a gathering at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 17, at the Museum, 218 E. Lincolnway in Jefferson.

In Ireland, the event would be called a “craic,” which is Gaelic for “a good time” especially when the conversation is lively and fun. It’s pronounced “crack.”  

Craics often take place in pubs, where the tavern crowd talks and laughs and sings along with a fiddler or a flutist.

There’ll be no Irish stout at the Museum’s free event but there will be conversation and song. The craic will include readings by Jefferson residents Hollie Roberts and John Turpin. The singing of Irish songs will be encouraged, with Jeffersonians Rick Morain playing the piano and Peg Raney strumming her guitar.

Morain claims about 12 percent Irish heritage. Raney, whose maiden name is Nolan, grew up in northern Iowa’s Irish enclave, Emmetsburg, where St. Paddy’s day is celebrated with a big parade.

The song list will surely include “Peg O’ My Heart,” plus “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” and “Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder.”

Turpin will read a few Irish legends, and tell a few Hibernian  jokes. As far as he knows, he lacks Irish genes, but may be Irish by association: His wife Janis’s grandmother was an O’Connell.

Roberts, of Norwegian descent and without a drop of Irish blood, harbors a love for the Irish. She’ll raise a few Irish toasts and offer a few limericks.

Betty Connor Kuebler, also of Jefferson, was born in Coleraine, a town 50 miles from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and immigrated to Greene County in the late 1950s. She’ll recall her memories of the Emerald Isle.

There will be refreshments, including cake and cookies, and drawings for wee Irish door prizes.

Everyone is welcome to attend the free event, and enjoy a good time. “Wearin’ of the green” is the uniform of the day.

title tag
    How To Get Involved
    title tag Calendar of Events
    title tag Membership & Donations
    Help us grow! Donate, become a member, or renew your membership today!
    see more arrow
    title tag Historical Markers
    Did you know there were so many historical sites in this county? See many of them on the map here!
    see more arrow
    title tag Videos
    See interviews with historical figures, events and programs we have recorded, and much more!
    see more arrow
    title tag Historical Trivia

    How many courthouse structures have been built on the site of the current Greene County Courthouse?

    Correct

    Correct!

    There have been three courthouses built where the Greene County Courthouse stands today.  Ground was broken on the current courthouse in November of 1915, the cornerstone was set in May 1916 and the new building was dedicated in October of 1917. The centennial celebration of the courthouse is already underway, with events being planned by the “Courthouse 100” committee, with support from the Greene County Historical Society.  You can learn more about the courthouse history and the celebration plans on the Facebook page “Courthouse 100: Greene County, Iowa.”

    Incorrect

    Sorry. Try Again!

    title tag Featured Image Archive
    This is a gallery of our featured images which are no longer viewable on the home page. See if you have missed any by clicking here!