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"If you want to know what God thinks about money, just look at the people He gives it to."
(Old Irish saying)
It is that time of year again, St. Patrick's Day, America's most celebrated non-holiday of the year when all 310 million of us can be Irish for the day. I am a die hard St. Patrick's Day parade junkie having attended parades in New York City, Chicago, and yes, even travelling to Ireland for the Dublin parade.
I find parades much safer than those times I was taking bus tours of Irish bars when I noticed in the packed bar standing next to me was a stark naked Irish man in boots only. When I looked around no one else seemed to notice anything wrong so I just ignored the lack of clothes and grabbed my green beer.
Something odd always seemed to happen on St. Pats no matter where I might be like in Omaha, Tucson, Washington, D.C., Boston, Philly, LA or where ever I might have landed. It was always great to see the cultural barriers and differences dissolve for a day.
Even the Irish Queen of motor racing, Danica Patrick, is proud to show her heritage with her new shamrock paint job on her NASCAR hot rod.
Whether you’re Irish or a leprechaun wanna-be… everyone loves a good St. Patrick’s Day Parade! You may have heard the expression “Everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.” Though St. Patrick’s Day is the national holiday of Ireland, it is celebrated world wide… from North America to Argentina, Germany to Montserrat, Mexico to Russia. Originally a religious celebration in observance of the death of Saint Patrick (circa 385 – 461), one of the Irish patron saints, it has now become more of a holiday to celebrate the Irish culture and it’s influences worldwide.
The United States has celebrated St. Patrick’s Day well before it’s independence from Great Britain. The first St. Patrick’s Day and parade in North America was held in Boston in 1737 followed by New York City in 1756. While St. Patrick’s Day originated in Ireland, the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in Chicago with over 2 million spectators and participants. The US, with it’s large Irish ancestry, has parties, parades and events throughout the country.
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| My Irish Wolfhound - CuChulainn Deo Irie |
So have another Guinness, throw down an Irish Cream, and chase it with an Irish coffee and all your woes may just go away.
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