HECKSCHERVILLE - Irish pride that hasn't been seen since St. Paddy's Day was alive again Sunday at the Clover Fire Company for the fourth annual Heritage Day in the Valley.
"We wanted to do something to keep the heritage of our parish, St. Kieran's, alive," said Jim Callahan, one of the organizers.
The event is built around the efforts of The Friends of St. Kieran's to preserve St. Kieran Roman Catholic Church, reputed to have been built by Irish miners in 1857 at the direction of John Neumann, the first U.S. bishop to be made a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
The group is hoping to turn the church and surrounding buildings, including a convent, rectory and school, into a historical and genealogical center and a place for special events to be used by historical groups and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
While the day was centered on Irish heritage and the "proud heritage of Hecksherville," as Callahan said, everyone was welcome.
Sponsored by the Friends of St. Kieran's, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Clover Fire Company, the day included food, music and remembrance.
It opened with Walkin' for St. Kieran's, a walk from the fire company grounds to St. Kieran Cemetery, which people could make at any time during the day. The opening event was hosted by the AOH and was part of a ceremony to honor loved ones buried there.
The families of those interred at the cemetery were called by name and relatives placed a flag or flower on the grave.
As for the live music, it included sounds by The Irish Lads and The Troubles. The McCormick School of Irish Dance also performed throughout the day.
Although all were welcome, many who ventured out to Heckscherville had a bit of Irish blood in them, like Lori Kelly, Primrose.
"We have Irish in our background, so we like to support it," Kelly said.
Bruce Hart, Saint Clair, who was there with his wife, Lou Anne, also came out for the same reason.
"It's Irish day in Heckscherville and we're Irish," he said.
In addition to the food and music, there were also vendors, even some selling coal region books and merchandise and offering history lectures and other activities.
