No Blarney in this St. Patty's history

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. As you wear your green and look for leprechauns here are a few things about this special day.

St. Patrick has quite a history of adventures including being kidnaped and held for 6 years. He traveled many places. How do we know these things? There are two documented letters totally or partially written by St Patrick in which he describes his life. One is called the Declaration and the other is a letter to soldiers of Corotius.

The history of St. Patrick contains quite a bit of folk lore. For instance the legion of him chasing snakes out of Ireland cannot be true. Scientists have determined there were and are not snakes in Ireland. It is one of the few places in the world with that distinction. The symbol may be connected to the fact that he was known to change heathens minds to Christianity. Change serpents to angels as has been said.
In many of the pieces of artwork found from St. Patrick’s time showing him wearing blue not green. Lue is often associated with Ireland and its flag. The change of color for his vestments may have something to do with the “emerald isles” of Ireland as they are often called.

If you are a betting person don’t bet that you can find a 4 leaf clover in a day or a week or a month. The chances of finding one is 1 in 10,000.
Did you know? There are more people of Irish decent in the USA than in Ireland in the 1900’s . In the 1900’s the Irish immigrated to the USA because of discrimination and famine in their country.
We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the anniversary of his death. He died on March 17th 461.
Did you know that the in the early 1900’s to 1970 St. Patrick’s Day was a religious day in Ireland and because of that all pubs were closed for the day in honor of him. In 1970 it became a national holiday and then it became a day to drink.
So whether you are irish or only Irish for the day if you are pinched for not wearing green you now can prove your origin by sharing these tidbits of knowledge.

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A bit of the Irish

  • Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Treat yourself to one of the   wonderful old movies that remind us of the Irish culture we all become a part of for St. Patrick’s Day even   if we were not ‘born Irish”.  One delightful movie is full of the Irish Brogue and is called   Little Nellie Kelly.  This movie is from   1940 and features Judy Garland & George Murphy.  Judy sings her own version of “Singing in the rain” and” It’s a great day for the Irish”.  This movie is based on George M.  Coan’s   Broadway   play.   Another   wonderful movie to watch is   My Wild Irish Rose from 1947 which was nominated for an Academy Award.  Featuring the tenor voice of Dennis Morgan & acting of Arlene Dahl.  It tells the story of Chancellor Alcott in the late 19th century and early 20th century.  Not only does it have the movie title song but also the beautiful ballad, “When Irish Eyes are smiling” in it.  And if you want leprechauns, dancing and song watch   Finian’s  Rainbow from  1968.  Featuring  Fred Astaire & Petula Clark it is a whimsical childlike quality.  Each of these movies will put the Irish spirit in your day and the Irish jig in your walk.