Dancers from the Goulding School of Irish Dance entertain at the St. Patrick's Day celebration in Providence. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Bagpipes, dancers and speeches all came together Friday at City Hall in Providence, as the city marked the start of St. Patrick's Day weekend.

The Providence Police Bagpipe and Drum Corps providence the musical accompaniment, and dancers from the Goulding School of Irish Dance entertained the crowd who gathered around the central staircase of City Hall to listen to speakers, including Mayor Angel Taveras, and the keynote speaker, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.

“Today we recognize the achievements of Irish Americans and the enduring traditions of the Irish in Providence and throughout our nation,” said Taveras. “The story of the Irish in America is impossible to separate from the history of our City. Our celebration today evidences that Irish heritage and culture continue to thrive in Providence.”

AG Kilmartin noted the contributions of immigrants to the city, state and Nation.

“Growing up as an Irish-American in Pawtucket, my parents taught my brothers and me to be proud of our heritage and instilled in us a strong sense of the values of faith, family and community,” said Kilmartin. “The values that I trace to my great-grandparents who emigrated from Northern Ireland and have been passed down by my grandparents and parents guide me each and every day as Attorney General."