Beech Tree News Network

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. “St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the life of Saint Patrick—the patron saint of Ireland. This influential missionary has been credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland” [St. Patrick's Day: History, Origin, Facts and Trivia (2021) (parade.com)]. However, the activities with which we are familiar – parades, parties, and dyeing rivers green – are all American traditions to celebrate the Irish-American heritage. I enjoy learning about the history, jokes and blessings associated with St. Patrick’s Day.

First, some St. Patrick’s Day history is included in the statements below:

-According to legend, during one of St. Patrick’s sermons on the Irish hillside, while he was speaking, all of the snakes were driven out into the sea. 

-Legend tells us that St. Patrick used the shamrock to describe the Holy Trinity.

- St. Patrick’s Day takes place on March 17 each year because St. Patrick’s death is believed to have been on March 17, 461. The Church began observing a special feast to honor St. Patrick in 1631. 

- In 1798 (the year of the Irish Rebellion), the color green officially became associated with St. Patrick’s Day. 

- Although St. Patrick’s Day falls within the period of Lent—a time when the Catholic Church doesn’t eat meat on Fridays, the church has made exceptions should this feast holiday fall on a Friday. 

- The annual White House shamrock ceremony started in 1952. 

- Chicago began annually turning the Chicago River green on St. Patrick’s Day in 1962. About forty pounds of green vegetable dye is necessary to turn the Chicago River green. 

-The NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade usually lasts over five hours. 

Second, Erin Cavoto’s article, “St. Patrick’s Day Jokes to Crack Your Kids Up” [Country Living, St. Patrick's Day Jokes to Crack Your Kids Up (yahoo.com)], included several jokes. Six of them are below. If possible, please visit the website to read the rest of the jokes – they’re just silly enough to entertain.

-What do you call a bad Irish dance? A jig mistake.

-Why did the leprechaun climb over the rainbow? To get to the other side!

-What’s Irish and stays out all night? Paddy O’Furniture.

-What do you say if you lose a game on St. Patrick’s Day? Game clover.

-What do you say to the smartest person you know on St. Patrick’s Day? You’re very clover!

-What does it mean if you find a four-leaf clover? That you have too much time on your hands!

Third, Irish blessings often include rhyme and sound a bit like poetry. Three examples are listed below [100 St. Patrick's Day Quotes & Irish Sayings to Channel the Luck of the Irish (parade.com)]:

-May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

-May luck be your friend in whatever you do, and may trouble be always a stranger to you.

-An old Irish recipe for longevity: Leave the table hungry. Leave the bed sleepy. Leave the bar thirsty.

St. Paddy’s Day history, jokes and blessings are entertaining. I believe it’s good to celebrate one’s heritage. So, regardless of heritage, may you enjoy St. Patrick’s Day.