(Kiss me, I’m Irish)
It’s that time of year again, Lasses and Lads, St. Patrick’s Day. Although that is “La Fheile Padraig” to those that actually know how to speak Gaelic (myself not included, thanks Dad). Irish-American immigrants brought Saint Patrick’s Day to the United States. The first civic and public celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in the 13 colonies took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737. The first celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756. In 1780, General George Washington, who commanded soldiers of Irish descent in the Continental Army, allowed his troops a holiday on March 17. This event became known as The St. Patrick’s Day Encampment of 1780. (ref – St. Patricks Day, LLC)
So, who is St. Patrick anyway? Well, I’ll tell you. St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents. At the age of 16, a group of Irish raiders ransacked and pillaged his familys estate. He was taken captive by the raiders and brought back to Ireland where he was forced to work their lands for six years. It was during this time that he turned to Christianity and The Lord to console his lonely soul. After the sixth year, Patrick escaped his captors citing a voice from God came to him in a dream. Reliving his religious epiphany a second time when an angel spoke to him revealing that he must return to Ireland as a missionary, Patrick returned to convert the Pagans to Christianity.
A blessing on the Munster people –
Men, youths, and women;
A blessing on the land
That yields them fruit.
A blessing on every treasure
That shall be produced on their plains,
Without any one being in want of help,
God’s blessing be on Munster.
A blessing on their peaks, 
On their bare flagstones,
A blessing on their glens,
A blessing on their ridges.
Like the sand of the sea under ships,
Be the number in their hearths;
On slopes, on plains,
On mountains, on hills, a blessing.
St. Patrick’s has come to be an amazingly fun holiday, and although traditionally Irish, is celebrated by almost everyone in the US, Canada and many other countries. Parades, the shamrock, the color green as well as drinking and carousing have become tradition and widespread (exponentially fun too). I look forward to this holiday every year, nearly as much as Halloween (shh, I still love gore – thanks Tom Savini)
I am Irish, I am Christian, I am very much so a red head that I cannot hide my Irish-ness and I absolutely love this holiday, but I still won’t drink the green beer. Although, I think I may enjoy a Guinness. I mean, it’s tradition!
An Irish Blesssing
May the road rise up to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and the rain fall soft upon your fields,
and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Slainte,
Heather
