March is the month of St Patrick’s Day, leprechauns, shamrocks, and shenanigans! My kind of fun for sure. The history of St Patrick’s Day, also known as St Paddy’s Day, is almost as romantic as the beautiful scenery and castles that dot the landscape.
Did you know that St Patrick, who came to Ireland to bring Christianity to the then pagan country, is also credited with driving the snakes out of Ireland? Biologists say, however, there were never any snakes in Ireland to begin with.
While we Americans have considered St. Patrick’s Day a cause for celebration and the “wearing of the green,” dining on corned beef and cabbage, dancing a jig, or maybe enjoying a pint or two, Ireland has always celebrated quite differently.
Placing a shamrock on your coat lapel and heading to church, and well ...maybe a stop at the pub for a Guinness on the way home.
In the last 20 years, perhaps to attract tourists, it has become a celebration for all to enjoy. The Irish will still not dye a river green like Chicago, have a parade the size of New York’s, or drink green beer, but they are definitely celebrating!
Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Please leave your comments below.
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Thanks for the fun blog, Josie. Happy St Patrick's Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Magdalena. You too!
DeleteHi Josie! This German American is intrigued by culture, language, celebrations and food from different countries. So yes I wear my German green shirt. Have an Irish princess crown and shamrock green lens glasses. Also I often prepare a Irish meal with Killian Red beer and Shamrock sugar cookies. Love reading the Irish blessing.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about your post. As you probably know, my daughter lives in Ireland. I love the Irish blessing too.
DeleteThanks for sharing the history of this day. I don't celebrate as an adult, but as a kid I did when my teachers did. It was fun. I'll never forget in 3rd grade when my teacher placed leprechaun feet cut out of construction paper all over the room. There were also shamrocks and a pot of gold--that gold colored candy in gold cellophane type wrap.
ReplyDeleteKimberly, what a fun memory. I love the idea of the leprechaun feet!
DeleteI don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but I do try to wear green that day.
ReplyDeleteI wear green that day too, Margaret, and usually I'll boil corned beef and cabbage.
DeleteWe really don't celebrate St. Patrick's day, other than wearing a touch of green. I do love purchasing the funky necklaces, glasses, and such for the grandkids though.
ReplyDeleteSherry, such a fun and good idea for the grandkids. I'll wear a touch of green too.
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