St Patrick’s Day: Top 20 Things You Should Know

“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.” Reba McEntire

St Patrick’s Day: 20 Things You Should Know

Happy St Patrick’s Day!  We know that, over the years, much has been said and written about this American born tradition. Yeah, you got it right. Only a spanner will believe all the malarkey around this day.  So sit tight as I run you through 20 things about this day that many of us believe to be true (but are false), things we don’t know, and those only a Gom should believe as they buy that green beer and imbibe it.  Do you have a sense of humor? If not, read Reba’s quote above, chill out and know that the point of this post is to separate fact from fiction while enjoying the festivities. Moving along…    Did you know?

1. St. Patrick wasn’t Irish
2. He was born in Great Britain and his real name was Maewyn Succat NOT Patrick
3. St. Patrick’s color is blue, and that green hat on your head and on other body parts are our own green-eyed monster inventions; they were probably created after a few too many beers.
4. “St. Patty’s Day” NOT! Please call him St. Patrick or St. Paddy… after all, the last time we checked, Patty was/is/always will be female.
5. St. Patrick’s Day as we know it was invented in the United States of America. Yep, you got it right. Now put down the lager.
6. St. Patrick’s Day parade was actually first held in New York in 1762, and the Irish in Ireland joined in many years later.
7. March 17th is the day St. Patrick died. So why all the hoopla? Are you happy the bloke died!?

“Every St. Patrick’s Day every Irishman goes out to find another Irishman to make a speech to.” Shane Leslie

St Patrick’s Day: Top 20 Things You Should Know – Green water in fountain

While you are trying to convince the little ones about those fairies and leprechauns, hold off on the green food color and scary stories. Much of it is an invention. So what are you thinking right now? Did you know that:

8. St. Patrick didn’t drive all the snakes from Ireland; they are alive and well there and everywhere else… the slimy bast….ds!
9. The  harp is the symbol of Ireland not the green shamrock.  Yeah, you knew that one…
10. The idea that shamrocks and clover were his symbols? Malarkey! It’s a great storyline though. By the way, did you know the four leaf clover stands for something? The first leaf is hope, the second is faith, the third is love and the fourth is luck.
11. St. Patrick’s Day used to be a teetotaller aka alcohol dry holiday in Ireland because the Catholic Church wanted it to be so. Yep, Go ask the Pope why it all changed. I’d like us to set aside all that excessive boozing on March 17, frankly.
12. Corned beef and cabbage isn’t a traditional Irish dish. So, you dont have to eat it today, tomorrow, or ever. Well, what the heck?

More Below

“A blessing is a circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal and strengthen.” John O’Donohue

St Patrick’s Day: Top 20 Things You Should Know – Pub sign

While you’re mopping your brow and wondering how and why you fell for a lot of this hooey gooey misinformation, may I remind you that we all love a celebration, and some lead to woo woo land. Hmmm I smell alcohol infused amnesia. The operative word is infused not induced. Righto. Upward and onward! There’s more:

13. Did you know that there are more Irish people living in the U.S. than in Ireland? Ireland has about 4.2. million people and counting.
14. In contrast, we have about 34 million people of Irish descent living in America. Cross my heart!
15. Your chances of finding a four-leaf clover are slim to none – how about 1 in 10,000? I did find one though.
16. Many St. Patrick’s Day “traditions” have nothing to do with Ireland or Irish culture; officially these invented traditions are known as apres ski Oops … faux Irish!
17. Female Leprechauns! Oh Female Leprechauns! They exist in the same city where Unicorns live… Got it?
18. “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” was created by a bunch of New York songwriters Ha!
19. Green Beer is as Irish as the saying on the pub above. On this day, you are …drum roll … YOU!
20. The pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow ain’t coming to a street near you any day soon. (If, by chance, one did happen to find a mystical pot at the end of a rainbow this St. Patrick’s Day, and it contained 1,000 gold coins weighing one ounce each, WalletHub estimated the total current worth at $1.26 million). I still wish each of you a bit o’ luck of the Irish. Happy Saint Paddy’s Day! 💖

Nevertheless, lest celebrate anyway. Happy Saint Paddy’s Day!

Positive Motivation Tip: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and all that you truly are. You are unique, unadulterated, unapologetic YOU!

Resources:
Saint Patrick’s Day – St Paddy’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day Fast Facts: Beyond the Blarney –
St. Patrick’s Day 2012: Facts, Myths, and Traditions –
St. Patrick’s Day 2014: Facts, Myths, and Traditions

Saint Patrick’s Day Myths

Brutally Honest Facts

Traditions not Irish

10 Things to Know

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos 3 leaf clover,  Irish sign, White House Fountain, via Wikipedia, National Geographic,

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet