When is St. Patricks Day?
St. Patrick's Day is usually celebrated March 17, but Ireland's bishops have shifted the feast day, in honor of the national saint, to Saturday, March 15, (for 2008) reported The Associated Press.
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Who was St. Patrick?
Saint Patrick was the missionary credited with converting the Irish to Christianity in the late 300�s A.D. His real name is believed to have been Maewyn Succat, but he changed it to Patrick after he became a priest. At the age of 16, while living in Ireland, he was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery....read more
Historical sources report that Saint Patrick was not even Irish! He was born around 373 A.D. in either Scotland or in Roman Britain (the Romans left Britain in 410 A.D.).
March 17th, celebrated worldwide as St. Patrick’s Day marks the death of the patron saint of Ireland and the universal baptization of Ireland. This day commemorates the death of this great figure, which has many legends
The day named after the saint commonly hailed as St. Patrick is not the name he was born with but rather a name he was christened to. His actual name was Maewyn Succat who was kidnapped from the native land of Britain by a band of pirates and then sold into slavery in Ireland..... read more
Did you know that St. Patrick spent six years of slavery in Ireland until he escaped and undertook religious training abroad? Click here to find out the details about this great man!
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St. Patties Day Fun Facts
- St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, and a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- In Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, people traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps. Children wear orange, white and green badges, and women and girls wear green ribbons in their hair.
- According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14!
- One estimate suggests that there are about 10 000 regular three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover.
- The name “lephrechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which means “shoemaker.”
- Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.
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St. Patrick's Day
Customs & Traditions
Wear Green
Famous saying: Everyones Irish
Town Parades
Chicage dyes the river green
Wear Shamrocks
Drinking Green Beer
Eating Green Food
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Irish
Blessings
May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead!
May your neighbors respect you, Troubles neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.
Dance as if no one were watching, Sing as if no one were listening,
And live every day as if it were your last.
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What is a Claddagh?
The Claddagh is a heart being held by a pair of hands with a crown above. A symbol of love and friendship. The hands are friendship, the crown is loyalty, the heart is love.
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The Color for March is GREEN
Green is the national color of Ireland and is strongly associated with that country. Green also has close associations with Islam. Because of all the green in nature the color is reminiscent of Spring.
Green is life.
Abundant in nature, green signifies growth, renewal, health, and environment.
The Meaning of the Color Green - growth, health, environment, harmony.
An estimated 70 million people world-wide can claim Irish heritage. This article attempts to provide some insight into Ireland's long and complex history.
The island or Ireland, some 89,000 sq. km (32,000 sq. mi.) is comprised of the Republic of Ireland (Eire) which occupies almost 85% of the
total land-mass, and Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. Within the traditional four ecclesiastical provinces of Ulster (north-east), Leinster (south-eastern Ireland including the ancient kingdom of Meath), Munster (south-west), and Connaught (or Connacht, north-west) there are 32 counties, 26 of which are within the Republic. The partition of the island dates from 1920-22, before which the whole island was under British rule..... read more
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Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
1 C hot coffee
1 1/2 oz. Irish Mist liqueur
whipped cream for garnish
OR
Modern Version
1 C hot coffee
1 oz. Irish Whiskey
3 sugar cubes
whipped cream for garnish
Method: In order to make this recipe properly the whiskey has to be heated to a high temperature. Pour the coffee in a cup with the desired number of sugar cubes. Then use a spoon turned upside down and pour the HOT whiskey over it so it flows down gently. Top it all with the whipped cream. See photos below for the process.
When served, true Irish Coffee always has three distinct layers. When served, you first use a straw and sip (a very small amount as it is HOT) a little of the Whiskey. Then stir all the ingredients together.
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Irish Brown Soda Bread
This turn-of-the-century traditional Irish bread uses baking soda instead of yeast for a foolproof recipe perfect for St. Paddie's Day. Rolled oats and sweet buttermilk enhance the flavors of this rustic bread.
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup bread flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly grease two baking sheets.
2. In a large bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, white flour, rolled oats, baking soda and salt. Gently mix in the buttermilk until a soft dough is formed. Knead very lightly. Divide dough into 4 pieces; form into rounded flat loaves. Mark each loaf with an 'X' and place on prepared baking sheets.
3. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 to 45 minutes.
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More Classic Irish Eats & Drinks
Irish Stews
Shepard's Pie
Corned Beef N Cabbage
Sweet Irish Soda Bread
Oatmeal Soda Bread
Green Beer
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