It’s been more than 20 years since a group of Butte people made a commitment to preserve the culture of Ireland by assuming responsibility for An Ri Ra, the Montana Irish Festival.
Prior to 2003, the event was held in Missoula.
It was a big undertaking, but the festival committee believed in their hometown of Butte and its people.
Twenty-two years ago, the late Monica Cavanaugh, then president of the Montana Gaelic Cultural Society, was confident as well that the festival would be a success.
“The Irish are a resilient people and proud people who are determined to preserve the traditions and culture of our ancestors, as well as continue the vibrant, living course of the culture today and in the future,” Cavanaugh said at the time.
That was the committee’s goal then and its goal now. The volunteers have been resilient, making the Irish festival a Butte success story, year after year.