10 great places to turn green with Irish pride

ByABC News
March 13, 2008, 1:21 PM

— -- The wearin' o' the green doesn't tell the half of it. In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, flutist Noel Rice, director of the Academy of Irish Music and president of the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago, recommends places to appreciate the formative influences and contributions that Irish-Americans have had on U.S. culture and history. He talks with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.

Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village Dearborn, Mich.

"Henry Ford's accomplishments, which stand on their own, include this museum dedicated to American ideas and inventions that changed our world," Rice says. Ford, the son of an Irish immigrant, is, of course, best known as a giant in the auto industry and creator of the assembly line used in mass production. Visitors to the museum can sit on the Rosa Parks bus or see the presidential limo in which Kennedy was riding when he was assassinated. In addition to the vast automotive displays, there are exhibitions honoring other innovative geniuses Thomas Edison's Menlo Park (N.J.) laboratory, for example, and the Wright brothers' home and bicycle shop. 800-835-5237; www.hfmgv.org

Irish Fest Center Milwaukee

"The Ward Irish Music Archives, the largest collection of Irish recorded music in the U.S., is here. You'll find sheet music and Irish instruments, too," Rice says. The center also sponsors a spirited four-day Irish cultural event (Aug. 14-17) with everything from Irish food to currach races (a currach is a canoe-like vessel). Order a corned beef Reuben Roll and your day will be complete. 414-476-3378; irishfest.com414-476-3378; irishfest.com

Old St. Patrick's Church Chicago

"The Chicago fire came within two blocks of this marvelous building, but didn't touch it," Rice says. "People flock from distant suburbs to join the well-attended parish. The freshly renovated interiors have intricate Celtic knots and other design motifs on the ceiling, walls and stained-glass windows." The church hosts a big summer bash, called Old St. Pat's World Largest Block party. 312-648-1021; oldstpats.org