A traditional Irish breakfast at The Castle in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport was brought in on St. Patrick's Day celebrating current and former health care workers, while also supporting the next generation of them.

Complete with a full bagpipe performance, the breakfast "honors outstanding nurses and physicians who make a difference in our community."

This year's honorees are Robert Herzlinger, who is the retired neonatology director at Bridgeport Hospital and Lawrence Muldoon a retired urologist from Fairfield who won the St. Vincent de Paul Mission award for physician of the year in 2010. They are both receiving lifetime achievement awards.

State Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, the house chair of the Connecticut Public Health Committee, is also being honored as Legislator of the Year, while dentist Mark Ryan is being given the community service award.

Speakers include Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber and Easton First Selectman David Bindelglass

Money from the event goes toward the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association's Scholarship Program, which supports graduating seniors from at Bridgeport public high schools who are pursuing careers in health care.