DORCHESTER — 500 guests attended the County Sligo Association of Boston’s 12th annual St. Patrick’s Day banquet on Sunday, March 1, 2020 Florian Hall in Dorchester.

The Association honored Dianne Colleary at the event.

The afternoon gathering included a traditional corned beef and cabbage meal and music by the Andy Healy Band, which has performed for several years, and the Heavey Quinn Academy performed traditional Irish dance.

The banquet turned out to be one of only a handful of St. Patrick’s Day events that went off before concerns about the spread of Coronavirus forced cancellations.

Sligo Association President Kevin Johnston welcomed the crowd and talking about the Association’s efforts to support projects for Irish communities in the United States and Ireland, which included a raffle to support the Irish Pastoral Center. Father James Darcy offered a blessing and Jim Brett was the event master of ceremonies.

Photos by Harry Brett