Saint Patrick's Day was not always the drunken beast that we see in the streets of America today. In fact, if you were to visit beautiful Ireland you would see people celebrating it in a manner that you wouldn't even recognize. We have tourists every year travel here with their weird hats and cheap Irish tshirts believing that they will have the party of their lives in Ireland on Saint Patrick's Day. We welcome them with open arms like we do everyone to our wonderful island, but they may be a bit disappointed in what is waiting for them.
The older generations of native Irish typically know nothing of how America spends the holiday dedicated to our homeland. In Ireland, we don't need a day dedicated to the Irish. Saint Patrick's Day is a Saint's Day, and it social expectation for everyone to attend church on Saint Days. That is exactly what the old folks do, too. They all dress nicely and offer their prayers to God on behalf of the good works of Saint Patrick.
If you are going to properly celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Ireland you need to go to church, and then you need to go home for a proper Irish family feast. Expect a rustic spread of roast chicken, potatoes, and honeyed carrots. Corned beef is good, but not exactly tradition. If you try to wear anything to my mother's table besides your Sunday clothes on St. Patrick's Day, you're likely to get a smack on the temple with a wooden spoon. It would be best to toss those silly Irish tshirts in the drawer and leave them where they lie.
I know for a fact that the cities of Cork and Galway are planning some huge events this year for Saint Patrick's Day celebrations. They have concerts, treasure hunts, parades, and massive family festivals all week long. I guess we have the American influence to thank for that, but I'm not complaining. The first American I see in an Irish-green t-shirt I'm boxing up and sending back to the states, though!
If you have never experienced a traditional Saint's Day, then you should definitely visit us here in Ireland and see for yourself how wonderful it can be. We don't need parties, silly Irish apparel, or gallons of beer. All we need is our devotion to God, our family, and our loving communities. We would love it if you came and celebrated the good Saint Patrick as he was meant to be honored. We will cook up some delicious food for you, and we won't say a word if you join the boys down at the pub for a drink or two after dinner is all done and gone.
The older generations of native Irish typically know nothing of how America spends the holiday dedicated to our homeland. In Ireland, we don't need a day dedicated to the Irish. Saint Patrick's Day is a Saint's Day, and it social expectation for everyone to attend church on Saint Days. That is exactly what the old folks do, too. They all dress nicely and offer their prayers to God on behalf of the good works of Saint Patrick.
If you are going to properly celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Ireland you need to go to church, and then you need to go home for a proper Irish family feast. Expect a rustic spread of roast chicken, potatoes, and honeyed carrots. Corned beef is good, but not exactly tradition. If you try to wear anything to my mother's table besides your Sunday clothes on St. Patrick's Day, you're likely to get a smack on the temple with a wooden spoon. It would be best to toss those silly Irish tshirts in the drawer and leave them where they lie.
I know for a fact that the cities of Cork and Galway are planning some huge events this year for Saint Patrick's Day celebrations. They have concerts, treasure hunts, parades, and massive family festivals all week long. I guess we have the American influence to thank for that, but I'm not complaining. The first American I see in an Irish-green t-shirt I'm boxing up and sending back to the states, though!
If you have never experienced a traditional Saint's Day, then you should definitely visit us here in Ireland and see for yourself how wonderful it can be. We don't need parties, silly Irish apparel, or gallons of beer. All we need is our devotion to God, our family, and our loving communities. We would love it if you came and celebrated the good Saint Patrick as he was meant to be honored. We will cook up some delicious food for you, and we won't say a word if you join the boys down at the pub for a drink or two after dinner is all done and gone.
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