The Luck O'The Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, on the anniversary of St. Patrick's death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for more than a thousand years. Many other countries celebrate it as well. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate the holiday in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against eating meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage; which has today come to be corned beef and cabbage.

St. Patrick was born in Britain near the end of the fourth century. He died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been said that he took on the role because of tax incentives. There is little evidence that proves Patrick came from a particularly religious family. When he was sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They took him to Ireland where they held him captive. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Turning to his religion for solace, Patrick became a devout Christian. -Information written by Kimberly Ripley on Gather.com

Erin go bragh is another popular saying on St. Patrick's Day which translated means Ireland Forever. There are other translations but this one is the most popular. It is a war time cry.

Typically on St. Patrick's Day it's said that everyone is Irish. Now, I'm sure there are some Irishmen who would boldly disagree with that or at the very least mutter, "You wish." Yes, yes we do! I would be very proud to be Irish but I will settle for being Irish for a day and being very proud that my husband and my kids are part Irish.

Erin Go Bragh! God Bless!