The Proud Irish
Dai duit, mo cara! The Center of the Universe here, my friends, and I am a Proud Irish-American! I am one of 34 million Irish descendants here in the Great United States, the fourth largest ethnic group in the country behind the German-Americans at 38 millions, and the Hispanic-Americans and African-Americans at 35 millions. There are only 4 million Irish in all of Ireland today. This time of year is the time when all of us become just that much more Irish, as St.Patrick's Day is on the horizon once again!
A brief history of St.Patrick's Day. Patrick, a born Englishman, was taken from his home by Irish raiders around the year 400 A.D. to Ireland at the age of 16. He was held prisoner in County Mayo and forced to work the fields as a shepherd. During his long days he began to devote his life more to Christ and dream of converting the Irish to Christianity. After more than six years of captivity, he received a vision of God telling him it was time to leave Ireland. Patrick escaped and walked the nearly 200 miles to the Irish coast, where he managed to secure passage to England. Once home, God again spoke to him, telling him to make himself ready to return to Ireland with the Word of God as his shield. 15 years of study later, Patrick was ordained a priest and returned to Ireland with a duel mission. He ministered the Word to the Christians already in Ireland as well as converted the pagan Irish to Christianity. Patrick created the familiar Celtic Cross, combining the Christian Cross with the Irish sun symbol, in order to help ease the common Irishman into the Faith. For all of his celebrity, Patrick's life remains somewhat a mystery. Many stories associated to the patron Saint of Ireland, including driving all of the snakes from the island, are false. St.Patrick died on March 17th, 460 A.D., and Irish soldiers serving in the English military first observed this celebration as an Irish Holiday in America in New York City in 1762. Today, St.Patrick's Day is celebrated in all English-speaking countries, and most Western countries, as well as many other nations around the world.
The Proud Irish of fame include Actors Aidan Quinn, Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Farrell, and Roma Downey. Authors of reknown include James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, and Oscar Wilde. Irish musicians include the Cranberries, Van Morrison, Enya, and that world famous rock band known as U2. Guinness Extra Stout beer. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Riverdance. Lucky the leprechaun. Shamrocks. Michael Collins and the IRA. Shillelaghs. So much Irishness in the world rooted in such a small island.
Did ya know?...The Irish Shamrock, or three-leaf clover, is thought to have been used by St.Patrick to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity?
St.Patrick's Day is a celebration of being Irish. It is a celebration of living life to its fullest. Life has been hard for the Irish for thousands of years, and this holiday celebrates that inherent survivability that all Irishmen and Irishwomen have at their very green cores. Their Irish-broagh may fade away through the generations, but the Irish pride never does. Fights break out over religion, politics, sports, women, and even beers, but we are still the prideful Irish, and will have each other's back if need be.
Ireland has some of the best beers in the world. Leading the way is Guinness Extra Stout, of course. Guinness Draught, Harp Lager, Smithwick's, and Macardle's are also Guinness brands. Murphy's brewery makes Irish Stout and Irish Red. Beckett's Gold and 1798 Revolution are other popular national brands. And then there are many dozens of local pub brewers that you can only get within their own pubs. And there are hundreds of Irish-American beers here, like Killian's Irish Red, for us to taste a bit of the home brew.
This will be my first St.Patrick's Day as the Center of the Universe, but from what I've heard, God enjoys the Holiday as much as the next guy. Arthur Guinness will be serving up his original brew at the bar, and with St.Patrick lining up some of the best stews and desserts in the Galaxy, it's bound to be a party for the ages! The music will be outstanding I'm sure. Just one of the perks for being the Center of the Universe, my friends! And don't forget the wearing of the Green on Friday, the 17th of March! St.Patrick's Day! Otherwise, those tricky, cranky little leprechauns will sneak up on ye and pinch ya! Slan leat!
A brief history of St.Patrick's Day. Patrick, a born Englishman, was taken from his home by Irish raiders around the year 400 A.D. to Ireland at the age of 16. He was held prisoner in County Mayo and forced to work the fields as a shepherd. During his long days he began to devote his life more to Christ and dream of converting the Irish to Christianity. After more than six years of captivity, he received a vision of God telling him it was time to leave Ireland. Patrick escaped and walked the nearly 200 miles to the Irish coast, where he managed to secure passage to England. Once home, God again spoke to him, telling him to make himself ready to return to Ireland with the Word of God as his shield. 15 years of study later, Patrick was ordained a priest and returned to Ireland with a duel mission. He ministered the Word to the Christians already in Ireland as well as converted the pagan Irish to Christianity. Patrick created the familiar Celtic Cross, combining the Christian Cross with the Irish sun symbol, in order to help ease the common Irishman into the Faith. For all of his celebrity, Patrick's life remains somewhat a mystery. Many stories associated to the patron Saint of Ireland, including driving all of the snakes from the island, are false. St.Patrick died on March 17th, 460 A.D., and Irish soldiers serving in the English military first observed this celebration as an Irish Holiday in America in New York City in 1762. Today, St.Patrick's Day is celebrated in all English-speaking countries, and most Western countries, as well as many other nations around the world.
The Proud Irish of fame include Actors Aidan Quinn, Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Farrell, and Roma Downey. Authors of reknown include James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, and Oscar Wilde. Irish musicians include the Cranberries, Van Morrison, Enya, and that world famous rock band known as U2. Guinness Extra Stout beer. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Riverdance. Lucky the leprechaun. Shamrocks. Michael Collins and the IRA. Shillelaghs. So much Irishness in the world rooted in such a small island.
Did ya know?...The Irish Shamrock, or three-leaf clover, is thought to have been used by St.Patrick to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity?
St.Patrick's Day is a celebration of being Irish. It is a celebration of living life to its fullest. Life has been hard for the Irish for thousands of years, and this holiday celebrates that inherent survivability that all Irishmen and Irishwomen have at their very green cores. Their Irish-broagh may fade away through the generations, but the Irish pride never does. Fights break out over religion, politics, sports, women, and even beers, but we are still the prideful Irish, and will have each other's back if need be.
Ireland has some of the best beers in the world. Leading the way is Guinness Extra Stout, of course. Guinness Draught, Harp Lager, Smithwick's, and Macardle's are also Guinness brands. Murphy's brewery makes Irish Stout and Irish Red. Beckett's Gold and 1798 Revolution are other popular national brands. And then there are many dozens of local pub brewers that you can only get within their own pubs. And there are hundreds of Irish-American beers here, like Killian's Irish Red, for us to taste a bit of the home brew.
This will be my first St.Patrick's Day as the Center of the Universe, but from what I've heard, God enjoys the Holiday as much as the next guy. Arthur Guinness will be serving up his original brew at the bar, and with St.Patrick lining up some of the best stews and desserts in the Galaxy, it's bound to be a party for the ages! The music will be outstanding I'm sure. Just one of the perks for being the Center of the Universe, my friends! And don't forget the wearing of the Green on Friday, the 17th of March! St.Patrick's Day! Otherwise, those tricky, cranky little leprechauns will sneak up on ye and pinch ya! Slan leat!
posted by B.R.Dailey | 12:35 PM
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