A toast to Emerald Isle from downtown Rochester

Ken and Bonnie Sughrue were wearing the green and making a toast to their heritage on Tuesday at Mel Flanagan's in downtown Rochester. (Lebanon Voice/Harrison Thorp photo)

ROCHESTER - Ken and Bonnie Sughrue are as Irish as they come and proud of it.

The Acton, Maine, couple said both their families emigrated from the Emerald Isle to America so long ago they aren't exactly sure how many generations it's been, but they are both fiercely aware of the pride they feel in being Irish and of their ancestors' contribution to what has helped make America the country it is.

"We built much of it," said Ken Sughrue as he sipped on a beverage at Mel Flanagan's Pub and Café in downtown Rochester on Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day.

Mel Flanagan co-owner Walter Belville served up well-crafted Guinness stout to Bonnie Sughrue and seemed pleased at the turnout Rochester's signature Irish pub had gotten for lunch this St. Patrick's Day.

More than 30 traditional corned beef dinners were served up, all prepared meticulously by Belville, who cooked all 11 pots of corned beef for 10 hours to make them equally tender and sweet.

The Sughrues said they don't come to eat out in Rochester too often, but today Mel Flanagan's seemed the natural choice.

After a bite to eat at Mel's they were off to Manchester's Verizon Center to see the acclaimed ensemble group "Celtic Woman," which features female vocalists and fiddlers performing traditional Irish songs.

The Sughrues said St. Patrick's Day is an important holiday for their families and all Irish-Americans.

"It's a day to see friends and relatives, have a few beers and enjoy all things Irish," Ken Sughrue said.

"It's about pride in being Irish," Bonnie Sughrue echoed. "We are a strong people, not afraid to work."

"Not afraid to work, not afraid to raise a glass, either." said another bar patron as he sipped a pint.