Beech Tree News Network

March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, is not only a day to honor Ireland’s patron saint, but also an opportunity to express Irish American identity. I don’t remember celebrating it as a child; but, when I taught school, it was a day of shamrocks and green or the threat of a pinch. The day brings to mind the many associations we’ve formed about Ireland.

According to Wikipedia, St. Patrick's Day is a cultural/religious celebration held on March 17, the traditional date of Saint Patrick’s death (c. AD 385–461). A common St. Patrick's Day custom is to wear shamrocks and/or something green. Saint Patrick is said to have used the shamrock – a three-leaved plant – to explain the Holy Trinity. St Patrick's Day, while not a legal holiday in the United States, is nonetheless widely recognized throughout the country as a celebration of Irish and Irish-American culture. The holiday has been celebrated in North America since the late 18th century (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Day).

Quite a bit has been written about Saint Patrick’s Day, including the quotes below (http://www.quotegarden.com/st-patricks-day.html):

•For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way -

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day. –Author Unknown

•What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?  A rash of good luck. –Author Unknown

•May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go. –Irish Blessing

•When Irish eyes are smiling, sure 'tis like a morn in spring.

In the lilt of Irish laughter you can hear the angels sing,

When Irish hearts are happy all the world seems bright and gay,

And when Irish eyes are smiling, sure, they steal your heart away. –Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr. (lyrics), Ernest R. Ball (music)

•May luck be our companion

May friends stand by our side

May history remind us all

Of Ireland's faith and pride.

May God bless us with happiness

May love and faith abide. –Irish Blessing

I, too, associate St. Patrick’s Day with Ireland, shamrocks, and green. I also associate the day with bars or pubs and with leprechauns. I asked friends and family about their thoughts: “When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, what do you associate with the day?” Their responses were:

•Leprechauns, of course.

•That little green leprechaun and the Irish people.

•Getting pinched when you were little if you forgot to wear green!

•Green and Irish. I am Irish!

•Beer, Irish and shamrocks.

•Wearing green or getting pinched.

•The Irish accent, green, and leprechauns.

•Wearing green, shamrocks, and corned beef/cabbage. It wasn’t an important holiday as I was growing up.

•A green shirt.

•Leprechauns, Irish, a pot of gold, and green beer.

•Everyone wearing green and Chicago turning the river green for the day. But it’s not a hot button on my radar.

•Wear green or get pinched!

•Green everywhere, pinches if not wearing green, and four-leaf clovers.

•Leprechauns! I am a preschool teacher, and that day is filled with excitement as they try to catch the leprechaun who tricks us all day and ends the day with making a huge mess, leaving us a note and some edible gold coins for our trouble.

•When I think of St. Patrick’s Day, I immediately think of the color green, four-leaf clovers, leprechauns, and pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. The luck of the Irish and corned beef and cabbage come to mind, too. I know Saint Patrick was known for much more than this! I’m afraid I don’t do him justice.

•Honestly, I normally don’t even think twice about St. Patrick’s Day! Sometimes I forget it’s even a special day! The only thing I think of is the color green.

•When I was little, getting pinched.

•Since I work in an elementary school, dressing in all the green I can find and making it fun for the kids.

•Since I’m a teacher, I definitely try to remember to wear green. 

•Leprechauns and four-leaf clovers.

It’s been said, “A family of Irish birth will argue and fight, but let a shout come from without, and see them all unite” (http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2015/03/25-irish-sayings-to-live-by/). That sounds a bit like my siblings! And of course, “When Irish eyes are smiling, sure, they steal your heart away.” As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, may you enjoy the luck of the Irish.