LA FHEILE PADRAIG! (HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!)

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Of the patron saints of Ireland, St. Patrick is by far, the best known Saint and enjoys world-wide recognition. Historically, he is best remembered for driving the snakes out of Ireland! Myth or legend – who knows for sure! It is a fact though that there are no snakes in Ireland today!


St. Patrick's Day is celebrated internationally on the seventeenth of March. This is a religious feast day and the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years.

CEAD MILE FAILTE (A HUNDRED THOUSAND WELCOMES!)






It is an interesting story on how this celebration reached the shores of the US and Canada. It all started with the Irish immigrants in the 1800’s, who left Ireland by the tens of thousands to escape famine resulting from the great potato crop failure. Initially chastised for their looks and strange accents, it was difficult going for them, even in the US. They could fill only menial jobs, but soon realized there was strength in numbers, and soon these Irish-Americans became politically influential. They celebrated their Patron Saint on March 17 with parades, parties, and lots of good cheer, and of course – a pint or two of beer! This celebration and the wearing of the green caught on with everyone and the celebrations continue today, every March 17.

New York City holds probably the biggest and grandest parade of them all, and the City of Chicago actually dyes their river green in honor of Saint Patrick! Restaurants and bars throughout the US, Canada, and many other parts of the world celebrate with the traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage and often will offer a free beer to those patrons wearing green! Green beer is popular, if only for the day, and breweries oblige the patrons with special kegs and bottling efforts. The wearing of the green is another favorite tradition celebrated by all. I’ve seen women, and men too, with green hair, green skin, and matching colors for their mascots. It isn’t unusual to find lots of green tongues hanging around the pubs and other watering holes! Irish music often adds a flare of excitement, and inevitably, some brave heart will dance an authentic Irish jig! When that happens, it is easy to tell who has had too many pints of green beer!

I love St. Patrick’s Day, and always have. I’m Irish, Scotch and English on my mother’s side and we always celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, and I always wore something green on that day, and continue to do so, and always will! Some day, I’d like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, on The Emerald Isle itself!

Here’s hoping you get into the spirit of the day this 17th , and remember – you don’t have to be Irish! Here's an old Irish toast from me to you:

MAY YOU BE IN HEAVEN A HALF HOUR BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD!

As they say in Ireland, “ERIN GO BRAGH”! For those of you who do not speak Gaelic, that means “IRELAND FOREVER”! Cheers!

GREEN BEER TIP FROM MERIDA MIKEY: You can enjoy your favorite beer, or other beverage of choice, in emerald green by simply dipping a plastic swirl stick into a bottle of green food coloring and then stirring your drink! Poof! Instant green beer for all the lads and lassies!