Hi Puzzlers,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! As a special treat I would like to share some highlights from my interview with an “Irish Girl”. She wishes to remain anonymous but I thought you would still like to hear what she had to say about this famous holiday.
First I was told that St. Patrick’s Day is actually a religious holiday in Ireland and St. Patrick is the patron saint for Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain and at the age of 16 he was kidnapped by Irish bandits who took him back to Ireland as a slave.
He later escaped by boarding a ship that was going back to Britain. Once home he studied to become a priest an in 432, Patrick, now a bishop, went back to Ireland to save the pagan Irish.
One of his favorite teaching tools was the shamrock. He used the shamrock and it’s three leaves to teach the concept of the Holy Trinity (the father, son and Holy Spirit). St. Patrick died on March 18, 461 AD after teaching for almost 30 years.
St. Patrick’s Day is said to be a one-day break from Lent, allowing the consumption of alcohol. Well, now we know how drinking got into the celebration!
My Irish girl also told me that the official color of Saint Patrick was blue, not green. She learned this when she met Lord Mayor Briscoe of Dublin when she was younger and inquired why he was dressed in blue.
Globally, St. Patrick’s Day is now more of a celebration of Irish culture than a religious holiday. Many cities around the world celebrate with parades and festivities. The first Irish parade was held in Boston MA in 1737, by the Irish Society of Boston. Ireland’s own first parade wasn’t until 1931 in Dublin.
Yes, you know I had to ask, being a foodie and all, about the traditional dinner of Corned Beef & Cabbage. My Irish girl said the Irish would more likely be eating boiled bacon and cabbage. Irish bacon is more like Canadian bacon. The Irish call our American bacon “streaky bacon.”
Well she was right the Irish used to eat what was called a ham (Gammon) or bacon joint, which was served with cabbage and potatoes. Cows at the time were used for milk and only royalty was feed beef. Irish immigrating to America began eating corned beef because it was affordable and considered a poor mans food. Yummy! I'm lovin' this poor man food. It is one of my favorite meals!
“Beannactai Na Feile Padraig!”
Translation: “Blessing on the feast of St. Patrick!”
Happy Puzzling!
First I was told that St. Patrick’s Day is actually a religious holiday in Ireland and St. Patrick is the patron saint for Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain and at the age of 16 he was kidnapped by Irish bandits who took him back to Ireland as a slave.
He later escaped by boarding a ship that was going back to Britain. Once home he studied to become a priest an in 432, Patrick, now a bishop, went back to Ireland to save the pagan Irish.
One of his favorite teaching tools was the shamrock. He used the shamrock and it’s three leaves to teach the concept of the Holy Trinity (the father, son and Holy Spirit). St. Patrick died on March 18, 461 AD after teaching for almost 30 years.
St. Patrick’s Day is said to be a one-day break from Lent, allowing the consumption of alcohol. Well, now we know how drinking got into the celebration!
My Irish girl also told me that the official color of Saint Patrick was blue, not green. She learned this when she met Lord Mayor Briscoe of Dublin when she was younger and inquired why he was dressed in blue.
Globally, St. Patrick’s Day is now more of a celebration of Irish culture than a religious holiday. Many cities around the world celebrate with parades and festivities. The first Irish parade was held in Boston MA in 1737, by the Irish Society of Boston. Ireland’s own first parade wasn’t until 1931 in Dublin.
Yes, you know I had to ask, being a foodie and all, about the traditional dinner of Corned Beef & Cabbage. My Irish girl said the Irish would more likely be eating boiled bacon and cabbage. Irish bacon is more like Canadian bacon. The Irish call our American bacon “streaky bacon.”
Well she was right the Irish used to eat what was called a ham (Gammon) or bacon joint, which was served with cabbage and potatoes. Cows at the time were used for milk and only royalty was feed beef. Irish immigrating to America began eating corned beef because it was affordable and considered a poor mans food. Yummy! I'm lovin' this poor man food. It is one of my favorite meals!
“Beannactai Na Feile Padraig!”
Translation: “Blessing on the feast of St. Patrick!”
Happy Puzzling!
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