AUBURN - Everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick's Day, or so the old saying goes.

All were welcome to give it a go at the Ancient Order of Hibernians' St. Patrick's Day open house on Monday.

Tom Clark, a trustee at the AOH, said that the organization is the oldest Catholic lay organization in the United States and the chapter has a long standing history in Auburn that St. Patrick's Day has been indelibly tied into.

“It is a holy day,” Clark said. “We are celebrating that St. Patrick converted Ireland to Catholicism, so for us it a very holy day to be celebrated.”

As the story goes, St. Patrick arrived in Ireland sometime in the late fourth or early fifth century, introducing the concept of Catholicism through the shamrock representing the holy trinity, already a widely accepted symbol of the Celtic peoples that inhabited Ireland. St. Patrick would also go on to banish the snakes from the island.

For many at the club, remembering that fact is what the day is all about, bring along children and the whole family to spend a day reveling in Irish tradition.

“This is all about keeping tradition alive,” Don Tavener said. “The Hibernians were instrumental in bring the Irish here and this is an important day for all of to get together and celebrate and remember our heritage and how we got here and keep that alive by bringing our children here.”

While the AOH was decked out in all the green that could be had and the Irish flag was proudly displayed, there were a few lesser-known facts members of the club were happy to share.

“A lot of people think green is the official color of Ireland,” Charlie Emlaw, a member of the order, said. “But really it is blue for the Virgin Mary. A little known fact.”

While no one could remember off hand how long the St. Patrick's Day open house has been going on at the Hibernians, all could agree that it is an important tradition, one which members were glad to share with the whole public.

“We want everybody to celebrate,” Clark said. “That is what this day is all about, whether you are a member or not, everyone is welcome to be here and celebrate with us and learn about the Hibernians the history and be a little Irish today.”

For many people, spending time at the Hibernians is a tradition not to be missed.

“It was packed here all weekend,” Jim Crowley said. “We probably had 350 people here, members, nonmembers. And today there is a good crowd too. I had my kids here earlier today. This is a real tradition. The food, the music, good times and good friends that is what it is all about.”

The strains of traditional Irish tunes filled the air in the club and the delicious aromas of corned beef and cabbage wafted out of the kitchen.

“Music, food, dancing,” Clark said. “Corned beef and cabbage, hot dog and hamburgers, whether you are Irish or not, there is something here for everyone today.”