St. Patrick's Day arrives a little earlier

Disappointed about having to spend St. Patrick's Day away from Penn during spring break, College junior and Penn Celtic Society President Brianne Donohue masterminded an early celebration. Donohue voiced her concerns to Harrison College House staff. Ultimately, they opted to throw a bash for the upcoming holiday last Friday night. Harrison College House and the Penn Celtic Society organized the St. Patrick's Day celebration, as part of the Penn PM series. "The Penn Celtic Society is celebrating Irish life [through this event]," said Residential Advisor and College junior Josh Liez, who brought Donohue's idea to the Harrison House dean. Dedicated to bringing Irish, Scottish, Welsh and other related cultures to campus, the Penn Celtic Society was established in September. This celebration "is a good way for people who share the same ethnic traditions to get together," said College junior Suzi Lefrancois, Penn Celtic Society member. The celebration began in Harrison's rooftop kitchen with traditional Irish soda bread baking. "It's what my family does," Donohue said. With the baking complete, the festivities moved downstairs to Harrison's upper lobby, where participants watched movies while snacking on mint chocolate chip ice cream and treats from the Irish Bread Shop in Wynnewood, Pa. About 30 students viewed two themed films -- the 1993 drama In the Name of the Father, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Emma Thompson, and the 1952 romantic comedy The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Based on Gerry Conlon's autobiographical novel, Proved Innocent, In the Name of the Father portrays a small-time Belfast thief -- Conlon -- who is falsely imprisoned for an Irish Republican Army bombing. The movie chronicles the 15 years Conlon spent in prison, his fight for justice and his victory over the system. According to Liez, the film depicts the "political side of Irish life." In the second film, John Wayne stars as boxer Sean Thornton, who -- after accidentally killing an opponent during a prizefight -- retires to a small town in Ireland, the land of his forefathers. This film, unlike the first, showed a lighter, more humorous side of life in Ireland, audience members said. Students said the event was "fairly well attended." "I don't think Harrisonians take advantage of all the events we have," said Wharton sophomore Alexis Decerbo, a House Council member. Others praised the event for bringing residents together. Nights like this "offer a good way for people to get to know each other," said Jessica Bell, a College sophomore and House Council president.