Do you Go Green on St. Patrick’s Day?

by Juliein Locations, Map of Goodbyeson Posted on

Do you enjoy March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, as much as I do?  Yes, I am a small drop of Irish and, luckily, I found a treasure on that day 42 years ago.  At my apartment complex party, I met my husband on St. Patrick’s Day.  No, he was not standing there dressed in green but was enjoying the DJ’s music and asked me to dance.  I love to dance, so any opportunity to dance I gladly accepted.  We only had one dance together that evening, but when he called several days later, getting my number from a friend, I was intrigued by the idea, and the rest is history.

The reason behind the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day was the arrival in Ireland of Christianity in the 15th century as well as the Irish heritage.  St. Patrick was actually British and was preaching Christianity. They threw him in jail for six years at the age of sixteen.  When he was released, he then returned to teaching.

Many traditions celebrated on this day involve food and drink, some of which you have probably tasted.

  1. Green Irish beer and Irish whiskey
  2. Irish soda bread
  3. Corn beef and cabbage
  4. Irish nachos (skip the chips and add potato rounds)
  5. Pickled onions

Various movies highlight Irish culture; maybe you’ve viewed several of them.  I’ve listed a few here.

  1. Waking Ned Devine
  2. Intermission
  3. Michael Collins
  4. Once
  5. Leap Year
  6. The Town
  7. Ordinary Love
  8. Belfast
  9. Far and Away
  10. Ondine
  11. The Boondock Saints
  12. The Banshees of Inisherin

Many love to decorate with the good luck symbol of the shamrock.   The shamrock is a three-leaf clover.  Trivia question:  Is a shamrock and a four-leaf clover the same thing?  Answer:  No.  Four-leaf clovers are very rare.  There are likely 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover.

The color green became a symbol of luck.  We Americanized wearing green and started the tradition that if you’re not wearing green on this day, anyone can pinch you.  There is also a tradition of kissing anyone who is Irish.

Cities across America celebrate with an annual parade showcasing dancing leprechauns and bagpipers marching in unison.  The Chicago River is dyed green before the city’s parade each year.  If you want to research further, I’ve included a couple of websites.

A few jokes to brighten your day:

  • What’s Irish and stays out all night? Paddy O’Furniture.
  • Do people get jealous of the Irish? Yes, they’re green with envy!
  • How do you know if an Irishman is having fun? He’s Dublin over with laughter!

Have a blessed St. Patrick’s Day!!!

All my best,

Julie

Throw Kindness Around Like Confetti

Chicago River for St. Patrick's Day (below)

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