Montana's Irish heritage celebrated at state Capitol St. Patrick's Day event

The Montana State Capitol played host to St. Patrick's Day festivities on Tuesday, as people gathered outside and in the Rotunda for Irish songs and dancing.

The event started with annual raising of the Irish Tri-Color flag by Gov. Greg Gianforte. The Thomas Francis Meagher statue was also was draped in green, white and orange sashes.

After Gianforte lifted the flag to the tunes of The Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils, attendees entered the Capitol Rotunda for a song and proclamations delivered by Gianforte, Lewis and Clark County Commissioner Tom Rolfe and Helena City Commissioner Sean Logan.

Attendees heard more bagpipe-heavy songs from The Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils before the Tiernan Irish Dancers filled the middle of the room.

Kicking their legs into the air with fast-paced footwork, on-beat claps came from the crowd and ended in cheers for the performance.