An Irish Celebration

Traditionally, St. Patrick's Day was a Catholic holy day in honor of Patrick, an Irish Bishop, who died on March 17, 661 AD. Patrick was successful in converting Ireland to Christianity. Today, St Patrick's Day is a celebration of being Irish, or even wanting to be Irish. It is a day of parades, song, wearing green, and believing in Leprechauns with pot of gold.

Boston was the first American city to publicly celebrate St. Patrick's Day in 1737. Today, most large American cities host St. Patrick's Day parades and in almost every town at least one bar will host a St. Patrick's party complete with green beer and Irish songs. The day is celebrated more in the United States than anywhere else in the world.

May The luck of the Irish be with you on this day!

May your day be peaceful

May the wind be gentle and at your back

May you be in heaven a week, before the Devil knows that you are no longer on earth.

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter

Lullabies, dream and love ever after

Poem and songs with pipes and drums

A thousand welcomes when anyone comes...

That's the Irish for you!

(Irish Blessing)

THE LEPRECHAUN

According to legend, leprechauns are little people, abot 2 feet tall, who look like little old men. There are believed to be unfriendly and spend their time making shoes. They are also beleived to have a hidden pot of gold. If a leprechaun is caught, he can disappear, vanish if you take your eyes off him.

Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree

Live mystical, magical leprechauns who are clever as can be

With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of green

The leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen.

Only those who really believe have seen these little elves

And if we are all believers

We can surely see for outselves.

(Irish Blessing)

There's a dear little plant that grows in our isle,

'Twas Staint Patrick himself, sure, that set it;

And the sun of his labor with pleasure did smile,

And with dew from his eye often wet it.

It grows through the bog, through the brake, through the mireland

And they call it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

(Irish Blessing)

The Parting Glass

Oh all the money that e're I spent,
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm that e're I've done
alas it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall.
So fill to me the parting glass,
Goodnight and joy be with you all,

Oh all the comrades that e're I had
Are sorry now I'm going away.
And all the sweethearts that e're I had
Would wish me one more day to stay.
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not.
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Goodnight and joy be with you all.

If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile.
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall.
Then fill me with the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all.

Links to other sites on the Web

St. Patrick's Day
St. Pat's Day
St. Patrick's Day--History
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