Following a Call to the Emerald Isle
People from all across the globe travel to historic places in Ireland like Cork, Galway and Kerry to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and their Irish heritage every year. Among those following a call to the home of their ancestors are members of the Massachusetts State Police. It has become a tradition for officers of Irish descent to travel across the Atlantic to the Emerald Isle every other year where they are hosted by their Irish counterparts: the Garda Síochána.Not only is it a time for officers to celebrate their Irish heritage, but it’s also a time to honor those men and women of other nationalities following the same calling to serve and protect. To commemorate their journey and to honor the hospitality of the Garda Síochána, the Massachusetts State Police bring unique challenge coins with them that act as a meaningful gift and a shared symbol of brotherhood. All throughout the year, these coins are carried as a reminder of what these officer’s share, both in their heritage and their service.
Meaningful Designs Honoring Irish Heritage
Challenge coins are a popular tradition in all kinds of different law enforcement offices, fire departments and even corporations around the world, but these coins are unlike most others we see here at Signature Coins. While it’s common to see things like state seals or department emblems and badges incorporated into police challenge coin designs, it’s not as common that we see designs that incorporate multiple different departments.
The ring is a traditional Irish symbol for love, loyalty and friendship. The inclusion of the thin blue line across the heart was a nice way to add a personal touch to the classic design and show that these are the qualities shared between the three departments. They may be separated by state lines and even country borders, but they all share an unbreakable sense of brotherhood.
The Massachusetts State Police brought these coins with them to Ireland and carried them during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and parades through historic places like Cork and Galway. Together with members of the Rhode Island State Police and the Garda Síochána, the officers dressed in their Class A uniforms to honor the day and the respective departments. Afterward, they all came together for a cold beer, shared their coins and prepared for the journey home.
St. Patrick’s Day Traditions and Challenge Coins
This year, the state police officers from Massachusetts will host members of the Garda Síochána for St. Patrick’s Day in a continuation of their back and forth tradition. We are not sure if they will bring a small gift like a challenge coin with them for the occasion, but we are certain that this year’s celebration in the states will be one to remember.The St. Patrick’s Day challenge coins we make here at Signature Coins are used by police officers, firefighters, charities and businesses all over the country. The designs are all unique and feature custom artwork representing the organizations and teams that created the designs, but they are all connected by a common sense of brotherhood. Coins like these are the perfect way to celebrate both what makes us different and what brings us together.
And it’s not just for law enforcement officials around the country. These coins are just one example of coins we have created to celebrate time-honored traditions among a group of friends, colleagues and acquaintances sharing a common love for St. Patrick’s Day. The Leprechauns of St. Paul are a non-profit group that has been together since 1986, and the coins they hand out help people from all walks of life join in the festivities.
