Happy Saint Patrick's Day from an Irish Lass
It's a great day for Irish people the world over. Well, okay, I was not born in Ireland, but my great-great-great-grandparents were, so there's that. Like so many others, they came to the United States seeking opportunity, and I must say, flourished handsomely. I've written before about my great big Irish family, so I'll spare ye and talk about the holiday, instead.
St. Patrick's Day is a holiday celebrating Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Irish people like to be informal and slightly irreverent, so you will also hear it referred to at "St. Pat's" or "St. Patty's Day". Originally a more religious type of holiday, it's now mainly associated with turning the river green in Boston, an awesome parade in New York City, wearing green clothing (orange, if you're Northern Irish and Protestant, as I am, but nobody understands that here in the USA, and I'm for a unified homeland, anyway) and consuming massive quantities of alcohol. I suppose it's a bit of a downer that St. Patrick's Day falls on a Tuesday this year!
The Irish are well-known for blessings, such as:
"May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.."
But as I mentioned before, they can be quite irreverent, and I love this cheeky saying:
"May those who love us love us.
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn’t turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping. "
Happy St. Pat's, all!
Image Credit » http://pixabay.com/en/shamrock-celtic-plant-clover-149821/ by OpenClips
Comments
arthurchappell wrote on March 17, 2015, 10:47 AM
my mum's side of the family are Irish in name, the Cavanaghs - my favourite Irish saying has to be 'may you be in Heaven before the devil even knows you're dead' though hopefully with a long happy life before then anyway - happy Saint Patrick's Day AliCanary
maxeen wrote on March 17, 2015, 11:13 AM
I am well Irish! Now I know where your artistic path comes from...Every time I go on the ferry to Dublin, then drive on to Donegal, I just feel so at home ... Enjoy the evening..
nbaquero wrote on March 17, 2015, 11:19 AM
AliCanary Happy St Patrick's Day to you! Where are you going for the alcohol consumption part?
alexdg1 wrote on March 17, 2015, 12:19 PM
Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner), paraphrased that Irish blessing when he says "May the wind be on our backs" in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.
Colibry21 wrote on March 17, 2015, 12:45 PM
My grandfather was Irish. Although he and his family immigrated to the US and then to Canada when he was young. At least that's what I was told.
paigea wrote on March 17, 2015, 9:53 PM
Hppy Saint Patrick's Day to you from someone who is partially descended from the Irish
allen0187 wrote on March 17, 2015, 10:03 PM
Not Irish not by a logn shot by I do love my alcohol so Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!!
bestwriter wrote on March 17, 2015, 11:32 PM
Nothing is greater than laughing at one's own self. Here's a limerick but nothing to do with the Irish
There was a man whose name was esser,
Whose knowledge grew lesser and lesser
It grew so small, he knew nothing at all
And now he is a college professor.