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Emmetsburg, IA
Emmetsburg is a city in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,706 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Palo Alto County. Emmetsburg is located around the southern bay of Five Island Lake. The city lies just to the east of the Des Moines River.
The town was originally settled by immigrants during the Great Famine of Ireland between 1845 and 1852. Emmetsburg was named after the Dublin-born Irish nationalist Robert Emmet, who was executed at 25 for leading an 1803 rebellion against the British. The city was incorporated on November 17, 1877. Because of the large number of Irish immigrants, the culture and customs of the Emerald Isle were preserved in the area, even though there were large numbers of Germans and others. One such custom was the observance of St. Patrick’s Day. The festivities have grown from a small group of men marching down Main Street with the Coat of Arms and green derbies to a gala three-day celebration that includes a variety of activities to please people of all ages. Negotiations between the Emmetsburg Mayor and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ireland, resulted in a joint proclamation officially declaring the two as “Sister Cities.” Through this declaration, they agreed to join together in the rejoicing and celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
