March 17, 1974 There was a wee bit of Ireland in Balboa Park as San Diego’s Irish community celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. A crowd of thousands jammed the area around the House of Pacific Relations to celebrate the birthday of the saint that chased the snakes out of the Emerald Isle. House of Ireland president Danny Berry told the crowd that the leprechauns were coming, and the party really got rolling. For the Irish and Irish at heart, the celebration was a true ST. Patrick’s Day with folk bands, Irish jigs and of course, the pipers and dancers.