It’s estimated that roughly 10% of the population in Washington state identify as Irish for their primary heritage. That’s just shy of 800,000 people who celebrate more than just green beer and music on March 17. The Irish Heritage Club of Seattle hosts a week of festivities but also has a unique yearslong partnership with one of Ireland's largest cities. Galway, Ireland is known as the festival capital of the country and hosts on average 122 festivals a year. Seattle and Galway formalized a sister city partnership in 1986. The Seattle Galway Sister City Association works with the University of Washington and University College Galway for student exchange programs and the mayor of Galway is a regular visitor. Mayor Clodagh Higgins spent several days in Seattle this year and was a special guest at the parade and joined guests on a Lake Union boat tour. READ THE FULL STORY HERE: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/st-patricks-day-seattle/281-57e1305f-998f-499e-9780-e1742b1ac906