Irish Plight Highlighted At Allaire St. Patrick's Day

The on Sunday will host a 19^th century St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

But don’t expect corned beef and cabbage, bagpipers or Irish Step Dancers. The celebration will focus on the historically accurate plight of the Irish immigrant in the early 1800s, Allaire officials said.

Irish immigrants of the time experienced discrimination and prejudice. John Roach, an Irish immigrant who came to work for James P. Allaire’s Howell Iron Works at the age of 16, for example, faced discrimination from fellow workers.

If not for Allaire’s intervention, Roach may not have become known as the “Father of American Shipbuilding.’’

Admission is free. The program begins at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.