(upbeat music) - Hibernian Society of Utah's mission is to preserve Irish history, culture, and tradition.

And our guest today, Patrick Bennett, is here to tell us more about the organization and the many outreach programs they offer.

Hi, Patrick, thanks so much for being here.

I know you've just had- - Thanks for having me.

- The big parade and the Siamsa, and that's probably what a lotta people know you for.

But you do so much more.

- Well, yes, everyone knows us best for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, held usually the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, unless St. Patrick's Day is on a Saturday.

So March 15th this year.

And we had thousands of our fellow Irishmen, whether they were descended from the Irish or not, come to celebrate with us at The Gateway.

We have more than just a parade.

We also have what we call the Siamsa, which is an Irish word for celebration.

And we have Irish music and dance for several hours after the parade.

- Which is I know people love it, love it, love it.

Rain, shine, snow, they love it.

But talk about some of the other things you do, because you do a lot during the year.

- We do.

We have a lot of other outreach programs.

Also in March, we host a annual Irish poetry night, where we read Tennyson and all the rest.

We also have a part in the Golden Spike National Historic Park.

They've invited us over the last several years to participate, being one of the groups that helped build the railroad.

The Irish built the railroad from the east, the Chinese from the west.

We met at Golden Spike.

And so each year on May 10, we have a celebration and we contribute a little bit to their annual program.

Other programs we have, we also sponsor an event for the Ulster Project, which is where youth from Northern Ireland, both Catholic and Protestant, come to Utah and spend about a month together.

- Wow, you do a lot and it's all really great.

And I'm so glad you were here to tell us about everything.

And thanks for what you do.

- We love it.

We have a lotta fun.

- Which is so important.

And if you'd like to know more about everything the Hibernian Society of Utah does, very easy, go to irishinutah.com.

That's irishinutah.com.

I'm Mary Dickson.

Thanks for watching "Contact."

(upbeat music) - Local events, arts, culture.

It's what brings us together.

Hi, I'm Mary Dickson.

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