Grand Forks residents decorate their homes to celebrate their Irish heritage.
At Kate Kenna's home the "Wearin' of the Green" isn't just for St.
Patrick's Day. The Grand Forks woman celebrates her Irish heritage year-round with a fireplace mantel bedecked with Belleek china, a delicate, nearly translucent porcelain, and Waterford, a signature crystal.
Next to the fireplace, the shelves of a china hutch are overflowing with enough Belleek ornaments to decorate an entire Christmas tree in an Irish theme. Kenna collected many of the Belleek and Waterford pieces on trips to Ireland. During the first 30 years of her life, she traveled to the country of her ancestors five times. The last time she was there was in
1980 when she and her husband Bruce Melin were on their honeymoon.
ADVERTISEMENT
Since then the couple have been busy raising children -- their daughter Megan was married on St. Patrick's Day last year -- but Kenna has expanded her Belleek and Waterford collections by searching online.
Green
Kenna's friends, knowing her fierce loyalty, also have given her Irish decorations. The walls of her home are covered with wallhangings proclaiming Irish blessings, words of wisdom and humorous sayings. One saying acknowledging the good sportsmanship of Melin, who is of Swedish descent, reads: "There is some reason to believe that some people can marry an Irish person and still go on to lead a normal and productive life." Other decorations, such as the two different Irish coats of arms, both with the name Kenna, proudly displayed on walls in her living room and hall are seriously Irish and more traditional.
The friendly, welcoming nature of the Irish people is what makes her so proud of her ancestry. She grew up in a home in which her father and mother, who were both Irish-Americans, epitomized that spirit, Kenna says.
"Literally, the coffee was always on when I was growing up."
During March her home takes on an intense Irish look, decorated with strings of shamrock lights, leprechaun wreaths and the Irish flag. On the evening of March 17, the day of Kenna's annual St. Patrick's Day party, guests will be welcomed with a green candle in the window. The candle symbolizes welcoming people home, Kenna says.
Irish
Across town, Irish-born Dan and Breda McGilli-cuddy, say Grand Forks residents have been so welcoming they've made Grand Forks their home.
ADVERTISEMENT
Daniel, of Killarney, and Breeda, of Tipperary, moved to Grand Forks 17 years ago when their children were young. Three of their four children since have graduated from UND and the youngest is a senior there.
Daniel and Breeda McGillicuddy continue to proclaim their Irish roots, at the same time they take pride in being Americans. The green shutters on their house feature cut-outs of shamrocks and the inside is decorated with Irish photographs, portraits of their Irish relatives and pieces of Waterford crystal. Other memorabilia such as Breeda McGillicuddy's intricately embroidered
step dancing dress and Daniel McGillicuddy's Bodhran or Irish drum also are on display in the house.
"We have a little bit of Ireland everywhere, in every room," Breeda McGillicuddy says.
