Hundreds of people, including locals and tourists, observed a wreath-laying ceremony at the Alamo today to honor those Irish born or of Irish descent who fought and died in the 1836 battle.
Bagpipe music echoed through Alamo Plaza during the ceremony.
Allison Hicks Mulvey is the president of the Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas.
"Today we have our 55th annual wreath-laying ceremony here at the Alamo. This year is a little different because we're also going to be presenting a plaque to the Alamo that commemorates the 38 Irish born or of Irish descent who died here," Mulvey said.
Ireland's official representative at the event was the country's public health minister Stephen Donnelly.
The ceremony ended with the sounding of taps and the reading aloud of the Irish contingent that died in the battle.
The somber ceremony was followed by the dyeing of the nearby San Antonio River along the River Walk a strong shade of green.
Two St. Patrick's Day weekend river parades are planned on Saturday. An Irish festival runs most of Saturday and Sunday at La Villita.
