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Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

12/03/2018

“Sufficient for me is that honor which is not seen of men but is felt in the heart, as faithful is He who hath promised and who never lies.”  Saint Patrick

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

The list of Irish saints is past counting; but in it all no other figure is so human, friendly, and lovable as St. Patrick — who was an Irishman only by adoption. Stephen Gwynn
A blessing is a circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal and strengthen. John O’Donohue
I have a Creator who knew all things, even before they were made – even me, his poor little child. Saint Patrick
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

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

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!: Even though March 17 is the official day of celebration, the joyful and colorful parades start a week earlier. As far back as I can remember, many folks celebrate this popular, international holiday by joining throngs of people in colorful parades everywhere and some make up their own version of what it all means. What I love about this day of revelry is how much fun and creativity goes into planning the parades and celebrations; organizers showcase the best of Ireland and its immigrant population around the world and for good reason. The Irish immigrant population originated the first parade in New York in 1762, and the event has grown beyond that first attempt to honor St Paddy and all things Irish. To help us understand this invented cultural extravaganza, I have added, in the block quotes above each paragraph, a quote from Saint Patrick, a few quotes from Irish creatives, and a couple of traditional Irish Toasts/Blessings to help us celebrate this happy day. What do you really know about Saint Patrick’s Day? I have included insightful Traditions/Facts and Tales/Myths about this special day for your enjoyment. You’d be surprised to learn new insights on this beloved tradition. Do Read them.

Traditions/Facts: The harp is the symbol of Ireland not the green shamrock. Many St. Patrick’s Day “traditions” have nothing to do with Ireland or Irish culture; officially these are American invented traditions. Did you know that New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is the longest running civilian parade in the world? Colonial New York City hosted the first official St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1762, when Irish immigrants in the British colonial army marched down city streets.  Some say that St. Patrick’s Day was invented in America by Irish-Americans and the U.S. tradition of St. Patrick’s Day parades, packed pubs, and green has since become popular in Ireland. It is closely followed by the parades in Montreal and Dublin. Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is little more than 75 years old. Apparently, the shortest St Patrick’s Day parade in the world is in Dripsey, Cork. It lasts 100 yards which is the distance between the village’s two pubs.

 In 1903, Saint Patrick’s Day became an official public holiday in Ireland but, it was a minor religious holiday celebrated with reverence, calm and no booze. A priest would acknowledge the feast day, and families would celebrate with a big meal, but that was about it. In the 1970s, the revelry we see in the US was picked up on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland and the shift created some push back but it continued in the new vein. In the mid 1990s, the Irish government began a campaign to use Saint Patrick’s Day to showcase Ireland and its culture; with a festival as the end goal. The first, official Saint Patrick’s Festival was held on 17 March 1996 in Ireland. Over time, the celebrations have taken on a mythical angle that include drinking green beer, clovers, leprechauns and what have you. As long as you take it all in jest, it’s fine but let’s remember to separate tales from traditions.  Every St. Patrick’s Day, revelers raise a pint of stout and wish their companions “Slainté!”—the Irish word, pronounced SLAN-cha, for “health.” They wear a shamrock NOT a four-leaf clover. Trifolium dubium, the wild-growing, three-leaf clover that some botanists consider the official shamrock, is an annual plant that germinates in the spring.  plus, it is a wiser option as your chances of finding a four-leaf clover are slim to none – how about 1 in 10,000? I did find one though.
READ: St. Patrick’s Day – Origins, Facts, Celebrations, Traditions

 

 

“Anyone acquainted with Ireland knows that the morning of St. Patrick’s Day consists of the night of the seventeenth of March flavored strongly with the morning of the eighteenth.” Author Unknown

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

If you hold a four-leaf shamrock in your left hand at dawn on St. Patrick’s Day you get what you want very much but haven’t wished for. Patricia Lynch
The joyful heart sees and reads the world with a sense of freedom and graciousness. John O’Donohue
I only seek in my old age to perfect that which I had not before thoroughly learned in my youth, because my sins were a hindrance to me. Saint Patrick
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through! Irish Blessings

May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May Grace fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. Irish Blessings

 

Mixing Tradition with Tales: When I think of Saint Patrick and read about his life, I think of a young man motivated by an inner prompting to go back to the land where he was once enslaved and do some good.  That is one of the fundamental motives we can adopt this year as we work our way through our goals/plans…. SEEK TO DO SOME GOOD. We must also work to steep ourselves in fact finding for clarity. One of the challenges we face when we read about cultural events is being able to separate fact from myth. We read all sorts of interpretations on the internet and because we assume that nobody is watching, some of us take liberties by stretching the truth and making up new stories. I must admit that until I started doing my homework on cultural events, I believed almost everything that I was told about so many of them: from Saint Patrick’s Day, Kwanzaa, to April Fool’s day and more. With a bit more investigation, we can get to the bottom of these stories and learn to appreciate and respect these holidays for what they truly represent. Learning the real traditions and backstories makes for an exciting and more engaged and appreciative celebration. After all, it takes a lot of effort to get any annual event off the ground.  I wish each of you a bit o’ luck of the Irish. Happy Saint Paddy’s Day!

Traditions/Facts: Did you know that there 34.5 million folks of Irish descent in the US? This means that there are more Irish people living in the U.S. than in Ireland because Ireland has about 4.2. million people and counting. In contrast, we have about 34 million people of Irish descent living in America and understandably, that is why Saint Paddy’s Day parade started here.

Saint Patrick’s Day or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”) is considered a cultural and religious holiday and is celebrated on 17 March, the death date of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461). It marks the Roman Catholic feast day for St. Patrick who was born in Britain not in Ireland.
As the legend goes, St. Patrick was kidnapped at 16 and brought to Ireland where he was sold as a slave in the county of Antrim. He was a bonded slave for six years until he escaped to Gaul, in France. He later returned to his parents’ home in Britain, where he had a vision that he would preach to the Irish. After 14 years of study, Patrick returned to Ireland, and built his first church in 445 in Armagh. He went on to build more churches and spread the Christian faith for about 30 years. His legacy remains in Ireland for the good deeds he brought to the area. He was a former slave from Britain who received a calling to serve the Irish people.
READ: St. Patrick’s Day: Facts & Fiction
Saint Patrick’s Day: Quotes, Toasts & Sayings #saintpatricksday
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for FEB 2018/MAR 2018 are:

 

FEBRUARY

01/01 –   01/01 New Year’s Day, 01/04  World Braille Day, 01/07 Orthodox Christmas, Golden Globes Award
01/08 –   01/11 Human Trafficking Awareness,  01/14 Orthodox New Year,
01/15 –   01/15  Martin Luther King Day,  01/21 World Religion Day,
01/22 –   01/26 International Customs Day, 01/27 International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
01/28 –   01/28  Grammy Awards,

MARCH

03/04 – Women’s History Month, National Nutrition Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, American Red Cross Month, 08 International Women’s Day, World Kidney Day, 04 Academy Awards
03/11 – 11 Daylight Savings, 14 Pi Day, 15 World Consumer Rights Day, 17 St Patrick’s Day
03/18 – 19 St Joseph, 20 International Day of Happiness, 21 World poetry Day, 22 World Water day, 24 Earth Hour
03/25 – Palm Sunday, 29 Holy Thursday, 30 Good Friday, 31 Passover

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St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time – a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.” Adrienne Cook

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

Motivation Mondays: St. Patrick’s Day Traditions, Toasts & Tales

If you’re Irish, it doesn’t matter where you go – you’ll find family. Victoria Smurfit
Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends. William Butler Yeats
Before I was humiliated I was like a stone that lies in deep mud, and he who is mighty came and in his compassion raised me up and exalted me very high and placed me on the top of the wall. Saint Patrick
St. Patrick’s Day Toast
Here’s to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest one
A cold beer – and another one!
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours! Old Irish Blessing

 

Do you know why green is a popular color on this day?  Back in the 18th century, supporters for the  Independence of the country chose green as their emblem color and it stuck. It wasn’t a universal, across the country, color of choice. One big part of this special day is the veneration of the shamrock/3 leaf clover which is  a symbol of Ireland and plays a big role in all the greening that goes on on this special day. While we are on the subject, the 4 leaf clover is harder to find and is considered a symbol of good fortune. Personally, I’ve only ever found one once and I think I still have it tucked away in an old wallet. Whether you believe in the luck of the Irish or not, I think it can’t hurt to cherish and enjoy an opportunity to believe in something positive, fun and uplifting. So, enjoy the festivities, keep an open mind to the magic around you, and you never know what great good fortune might touch your feet. Moving along…  :mrgreen:

 

Tales/Fiction:  While some might thing St. Patrick is Irish, he is not.  He was born in Great Britain and his real name was Maewyn Succat NOT Patrick. Do you think St. Patrick’s Day was started in Ireland?   As far as we know, it was invented in the United States of America and St. Patrick’s Day parade was actually first held in New York in 1762, and the Irish in Ireland joined in many years later. According to St. Patrick’s Day lore, Patrick used the three leaves of a shamrock to explain the Christian holy trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But there is insufficient proof on that bit of fable.
One of the best known myths about this popular saint is that Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland into the Irish Sea, where the serpents drowned. He didn’t. It was merely symbolic of him replacing pagan traditions with Christian ones. What about Leprechauns? Female Leprechauns! Oh Female Leprechauns! They only exist in the same city where Unicorns live… They have nothing to do with this day and until the 19thC, these folklore characters wore red instead of green clothing.

Saint Patrick Day Green – In the United States, it’s customary to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. While the color green has been associated with Ireland since at least the 1640s, the color was long considered to be unlucky in some parts of Ireland. In the US, the green color took over in many ways; Since 1962, Chicago has been famous for dyeing the Chicago River green on St. Patrick’s Day.  St. Patrick’s color is blue so, that green hat on your head and on other body parts are probably an American invention.  It can be called 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.Also, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” was not created in Ireland but by a group of New York songwriters
Pass the Lager – While drinking is a part of the festivities, it is NOT the main reason for the celebrations. It wasn’t until the 1970s that people could drink in pubs in Ireland on St Patrick’s Day. Before then, it was a teetotaler day. Pubs in Ireland were closed on St. Patrick’s Day because it was seen as both a cultural and a national religious holiday. Green Beer is not Irish and The pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow isn’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).  Corned beef and cabbage isn’t a traditional Irish dish but go ahead and enjoy it anyway. While it is important to know the backstory, it is also heartwarming that we can still enjoy the good feelings and cultural exchange that is often shared at these events.
READ: Did St. Patrick Really Drive Snakes Out of Ireland?
St. Patrick’s Day: 10 Fascinating Facts About This Holiday
St Patrick’s Day: Top 20 Things You Should Know

Have a peaceful and productive week ahead!

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Positive Motivation Tip: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and spread some joy while grounded in the history and everything else that makes this a joyous invented event.

Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
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PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos, Saint Patrick’s Day,  via Pixabay,  AND/OR Saint Patrick’s Day  via  Wikipedia

 

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

140 Comments leave one →
  1. Kristy B permalink
    12/03/2018 5:33 pm

    I don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but it sounds like a lot of fun. I enjoyed reading all about the history of this holiday. I always wondered why the color green was such a big deal on that day.

  2. Eileen permalink
    12/03/2018 6:28 pm

    I always knew that everyone wore green for St. Patrick’s day but to be honest I never knew th e story behind it until now! Thanks for sharing

  3. hotlunchtray permalink
    12/03/2018 7:28 pm

    One of my young children was just asking me about St. Patrick this evening.

    I stumbled this to share and save it for later. Thanks!

  4. lucicoo permalink
    12/03/2018 7:51 pm

    I didn’t know that there were more Irish descent in America than Ireland itself. This is a very educational post. I learned something new.

  5. wanderlustbykelley permalink
    12/03/2018 8:15 pm

    I adore the beautiful photos that you have chosen to showcase St. Patricks day. And, thank you for talking about the real celebration of St. Patricks day, with the link to religion and real Irish culture. My mum is Irish, so I was taught at a young age, a different way of celebrating this day, then what is often portrayed.

  6. Adriana permalink
    12/03/2018 9:06 pm

    So awesome!! I love the history of St. Patricks day!

  7. Czjai Reyes-Ocampo permalink
    12/03/2018 11:10 pm

    We don’t really celebrate St. Patrick’s Day here in the Philippines so it’s good to know more about this occasion and how it all started. Happy Saint Paddy’s Day, and I hope you and your family enjoy the festivities!

  8. 13/03/2018 12:00 am

    Sadly St Patrick’s day is becoming increasingly commercial over here.

    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      14/05/2018 12:46 pm

      Quite so everywhere now.

  9. acraftymix permalink
    13/03/2018 1:18 am

    We’re big on celebrating St Paddy’s Day here in South Africa and my hubby is half Irish too. Usually we spend the day at home, no more pub crawling for us, and make a Dublin coddle, which really yummy. You’re right though Elizabeth, it does make the day so much more special when you understand the significance behind the day although I wouldn’t mind finding that pot of gold or even a leprechaun or two 😉

  10. Evelyn, PathofPresence permalink
    13/03/2018 2:35 am

    🕊I have fond memories of being a school child and adamant about wearing green on this special day. Getting pinched is not a favorite 😉. I am fascinated how myth, history and reality is interwoven into our heritage and how I’ve celebrated this holiday my entire life, even though I am not of Irish (or English) blood. And yup…I’m still seeking my 4 leaf clover ☺️🍀 Happy St. Patty’s Day Elizabeth!! 🌈🍀💚🕊

  11. 13/03/2018 5:34 am

    Thanks for sharing all the information. I love history and lore vs reality.

  12. Geraline Batarra permalink
    13/03/2018 5:37 am

    St. Patrick Day is the feast that I’ve been waiting for. I am so excited to watch the parade. Last year me and my fam travelled a day early in New York so that we could watch the parade.

  13. justbusylovinglife permalink
    13/03/2018 5:47 am

    I love this post! It’s so nice to hear a little history to go along with the St. Patrick’s Day Holiday!

  14. Silver Maze permalink
    13/03/2018 6:08 am

    Interesting post about St. Patrick’s Day. I didn’t know they only make it an official holiday in Ireland in 1993.

  15. Quirky Homemaker (@QuirkyHomemaker) permalink
    13/03/2018 7:05 am

    Some of these facts about St. Patrick I knew. For some reason I never knew that the snakes represented Pagans. Funny story. . . anytime my hubby stops at a rest stop while we’re on roadtrips, he searches for 4 leaf clovers or anytime he’s anywhere near grass on the ground. LOL He actually has found several!

  16. Ashley 🍯🌲 (@ashleyfromHP) permalink
    13/03/2018 7:09 am

    Thanks for the suggestions! I haven’t planned a think for St. Pat’s yet; I’ve been so behind schedule this month.

  17. Megan permalink
    13/03/2018 7:50 am

    This is so cool! I don’t think a lot of people remember to consider the “spiritual” aspect to St Patricks day as well –– it’s become such a wild holiday 🙂

  18. Venus Fitness-Shannon permalink
    13/03/2018 8:32 am

    You article is full of great St. Patrick’s day information that i was completely unaware of. Thank you for the enlightenment, I was particularly surprised that the The harp is the symbol of Ireland not the green shamrock.

  19. Amal Stutterheim permalink
    13/03/2018 9:41 am

    Oh what?! I didn’t know about all these things. From now on, I’ll be thinking about these information every St. Patrick’s Day.

  20. Paula Tran permalink
    13/03/2018 10:23 am

    Such an informative post! Thanks for this. The tradition and origins of St. Patrick’s Day is often forgotten

  21. Adriana Madonnaa permalink
    13/03/2018 11:30 am

    Wow as I read the article, I realized that I actually knew nothing about Saint Patricks Day. Now because of your Facts, Traditions and Fiction I am a little bit smarter about this event.

  22. Ithfifi Williams / IthinityBeauty permalink
    13/03/2018 12:02 pm

    Oh wow I didn’t really know any of these facts, I never would have guessed it was celebrated in New York before hand but I guess it does make sense now I think about it. I also would have assumed the shamrock had more relevance to the day!

  23. Ann F. Snook-Moreau permalink
    13/03/2018 12:02 pm

    It seems like many holidays start as a minor celebration and turn into a big deal like this. My husband has a lot of Irish blood plus his birthday is 3 days before so he loves to celebrate!

  24. acreativewifestyle permalink
    13/03/2018 2:01 pm

    I’m sad to say I did not know the history of St. Patrick’s Day. I’m so glad I read this! And thank you for posting it!
    acreativewifestyle.com

  25. Monica Koo permalink
    13/03/2018 2:32 pm

    What an informative post! I have no idea that Harp is the symbol of Ireland. Everyone thinks that shamrock is! I guess tradition that the society makes is the one that people will believe in. Thanks for sharing a great history behind St. Patrick Day!

  26. Ann F. Snook-Moreau permalink
    13/03/2018 3:27 pm

    I am not surprised to hear that many of our St Patrick’s Day traditions aren’t really Irish at all. It’s funny how many people celebrate this holiday to honor their heritage by doing things that are really American!

  27. Marie permalink
    13/03/2018 4:01 pm

    I thought I knew already a few things about Paddy’s Day but learnt even more thanks to your post. The story behind the green colour is very interesting.

  28. simplyblissfullyours permalink
    13/03/2018 4:14 pm

    The only tradition I every knew about was the Green Beer 😛 These are so interesting though! Definitely something worth sharing with others as we celebrate

  29. jill conyers permalink
    13/03/2018 5:02 pm

    We’re not that into celebrating St Paddy’s Day but it’s fun to learn more about it.

  30. kumamonjeng permalink
    13/03/2018 5:43 pm

    I have been reading articles about celebration on St Patrick Day for the past few weeks but I always have question – what is St Patrick Day? How people celebrate is, why green is use and why I keep seeing clover leaves on the articles. How did it starts and many more questions. I am so happy to have a good read about this article as it helps me out with all my questions, the “why, what, how, where” all solved. We don’t celebrate St Patrick Day here and many has not heard about this day at all. One fact I was quite shock is the Irish descendant in America is more than the Irish in Ireland! I am very satisfied with this value added article, very interesting!

  31. Emily Fata permalink
    13/03/2018 6:36 pm

    The history of Saint Patrick’s Day is so very interesting! I loved reading further about the tradition the Irish take part in today in this post. 🙂

  32. nadaliebardo permalink
    13/03/2018 8:49 pm

    I am blown away from that fact you stated about in New York, the St. Pat’s day parade is the longest civilian run parade in the world. I did not know it was the oldest parade either.

  33. Preet@thevelvetlife permalink
    13/03/2018 9:49 pm

    What an amazing post on St Patricks Day. I agree with you that one of the challenge we face when we read about our history and cultural background is that we read all sorts of interpretations on the internet and because we assume that nobody is watching, some of us take liberties by stretching the truth and making up new stories which in some way spoil the truth and the beauty of it.

  34. Samantha permalink
    13/03/2018 9:56 pm

    This was a fun read! I always enjoy reading the real history behind holidays. We always eat corned beef & wear green on St. Patrick’s Day.

  35. Shruti permalink
    14/03/2018 12:06 am

    This was a great post! We don’t celebrate St Patrick’s day much here in India and I always wondered what it was about, so it was was very informative to me. Thanks

  36. juelzjohn permalink
    14/03/2018 12:57 am

    Happy st Patrick day to you.Too bad we don’t have it here.I love that first quote “Sufficient for me is that honor which is not seen of men but is felt in the heart”. I love this part most ,i find it so powerful,it’s all in the heart

  37. hillcitybride permalink
    14/03/2018 3:56 am

    It’s so interesting how some of the traditions are ones that other cultures made up. Ha! Well, I’ll still wear my green so I don’t get pinched! 😉

  38. Emily Leary permalink
    14/03/2018 4:26 am

    Thank you for all these interesting facts about St. Patrick and the different ways in which he is commemorated. I didn’t know that he wasn’t actually born in Ireland!

  39. emman damian permalink
    14/03/2018 5:37 am

    Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We don’t celebrate it in my country. But from what I heard, it is really a festive time!

  40. Traveling Shana permalink
    14/03/2018 7:04 am

    I love learning about new traditions <3 We started our own eating traditional Irish Coddle every year.

  41. missashleyallison permalink
    14/03/2018 7:17 am

    Oh wow! I never knew the story behind St. Patrick’s day and the traditions. You taught me something new that I can spread to my family and friends. Thank you for sharing!!

  42. Geraline Batarra permalink
    14/03/2018 7:21 am

    Oh I love St. Patrick Day. I always waiting for this day each year to celebrate. I love seeing parade.I love how everyone enjoying this day.

  43. Sue Tanya Mchorgh permalink
    14/03/2018 7:27 am

    We don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day where I live so i dont know much about the holiday and the reason why it is celebrated so this post is very helpful. I definitely learned something today. Hoping that you will have a great St Patrick’s Day when it comes.

  44. tanviidotcom permalink
    14/03/2018 8:39 am

    It is fun seeing all the celebration in the neighborhood. It is so festive 🙂

  45. Peps Goh permalink
    14/03/2018 9:15 am

    Wow, I didn’t know there’s so many stories and myths behind St Patrick’s Day. It’s funny how it’s invented by the Americans, just like how there’s certain famous food named after a country but it was never from the country!

  46. Candice permalink
    14/03/2018 9:27 am

    It’s neat to know of the actual traditions and symbols of the holiday. I had no idea the shamrock was an American addition

  47. Alicia permalink
    14/03/2018 10:45 am

    I, too, have found a four-leaf-clover – 2 in fact 🙂 I guess I have the luck of my Irish genetics 🙂 Yes. I did know that most of the Irish festivities were American – but I didn’t know the parade was the longest running civilian one. I really learned a lot from your post.

  48. Tara permalink
    14/03/2018 11:34 am

    I love the history lesson! I”m such a fan of irish proverbs – they always have a bit of wisdom!

  49. Amy-Lynn Vautour permalink
    14/03/2018 12:31 pm

    Its insane how much people have appropriated this holiday for the sake of drinking – that doesn’t just take away the social and cultural aspects of the tradition but also says negative things about the Irish. Thank you for the history lesson 🙂

  50. Nati permalink
    14/03/2018 1:55 pm

    Your post is so informative! I didn’t know many of these facts, as St. Patrick is not celebrated where I live.

  51. Jeypi Kyu permalink
    14/03/2018 5:09 pm

    wow.. i wasn’t really aware of St. Patrick’s life until i read this. i guess it really is nice to be aware of lives of saints since they are able to share with us something that could really motivate our lives… 🙂

  52. itsnadianelson permalink
    14/03/2018 5:12 pm

    This was an interesting post. Outside of wearing green, I have never celebrated or took part in any St. Patrick’s Day parades. Interesting background on St. Patrick. I have learned something new today.

  53. Rochkirstin Sioco 👑 (@rochkirstin) permalink
    14/03/2018 5:13 pm

    I wonder why many Irish people have moved to the US. This is a great trivia that I can also share to friends. St. Patrick lived a miserable life as a slave when he was young.

  54. Rosey permalink
    14/03/2018 6:05 pm

    I just read an article about how Ireland humors tourists in some places that our touristy by doing the shamrock thing. But primarily that’s not how they celebrate. 😉 Good to read more of the history. How awesome to find a four leaf clover. I remember looking and looking for one when I was a kid, never to find one though.

  55. Heather Barber McMechan permalink
    14/03/2018 9:20 pm

    I love how you’ve broken down traditions and tales about St. Patrick’s Day. I think the true meaning of this holiday gets lost every year. It’s not a day of drinking, that’s for sure.

  56. Karla permalink
    15/03/2018 3:53 am

    I really love reading post when it’s about traditions, because I really want to know how this traditions or special days started and how to celebrate. Great post!

  57. Megan @ RenaissanceGirl.org permalink
    15/03/2018 5:11 am

    St. Patrick’s day is a pretty big celebration in Scotland. It mostly involves drinking copious amounts of whisky at friend’s and family’s houses!

  58. Mary Nicole Galbraith permalink
    15/03/2018 10:03 am

    Your posts are always so interesting! I love reading blog posts that leave me smarter than I was before. I find historical traditions so fascinating, and I think it’s awesome that you are offering that information out to your readers who may not have known the truth behind them in the past. Wonderful post!

  59. Suzanne Spiegoski-Decamps permalink
    15/03/2018 10:27 am

    I learned so much about St. Pattie’s Day from this post! Thank you 🙂

  60. Lesley permalink
    15/03/2018 2:01 pm

    Great post! I loved learning more about St. Patrick’s Day!

  61. Gladys Parker permalink
    15/03/2018 2:57 pm

    I enjoy reading the history of such days, sometimes I google certain dates just to see what happened in history. In our town we have a parade and then they turn our river green. It is fun for the young and old alike.

  62. Pooja permalink
    15/03/2018 3:40 pm

    Great share on legend and lore. Didn’t know so many facts.

  63. laveremis permalink
    15/03/2018 5:18 pm

    I’m embarrassed to say I had no idea St. Patrick wasn’t Irish. Such a comprehensive and informative look at the holiday. I’m glad to see a focus on the religious aspect of the holiday, not the drink-fest it has now become.

  64. Ayana Christine Nell permalink
    15/03/2018 6:14 pm

    I always assumed Americans over did it a little bit with St. Patricks Day celebrations! Kind of like Cinco De Mayo. I’ve heard that it’s not really as much of a big deal in Mexico. Maybe we are just looking for reasons to drink an insane amount of beer? hahaha. Anyhow I loved all your facts and tidbits about the holiday!

  65. Msddah permalink
    15/03/2018 9:27 pm

    I honestly didnt know of all these facts regarding St. Patricks Day; I def learned a lot. Great post!

  66. Deb B. permalink
    16/03/2018 2:24 am

    St Patrick’s day is one of my most favorite holidays! It’s close to my daughter’s birthday, so we always make it a big deal. I can’t believe the national symbol of Ireland is the harp, and not the green shamrock? That works out great – because we love the harp! Win win! Happy St Patrick’s Day!

  67. dannyawey permalink
    16/03/2018 10:25 am

    Ah, interesting read about the traditions and meaning behind this festivity!

  68. forkwardthinkingfoodinista permalink
    17/03/2018 1:28 am

    So many traditions and very interesting to read – Happy saint patricks day x

  69. franckxethee permalink
    17/03/2018 5:47 am

    I like that we have myths that make St. Patrick Day special. Though we work for hard for our dreams, there’s nothing bad in believing in a bit of luck,

  70. Peng Desuyo permalink
    17/03/2018 7:50 pm

    This is a very informative post. Here in the Philippines St. Patrick’s Day isn’t very popular but I’m glad to learn about it. Thanks for sharing.

  71. Dorit permalink
    18/03/2018 3:25 am

    How many interesting bits and facts. You definetely did your homework. Didn’t know St. Patrick’s was first celebrated in the U.S. although it makes sense. Interesting, too, that Patrick was actually British. Thanks for sharing so much background information.

  72. Candy permalink
    18/03/2018 4:17 am

    We do the traditional corn beef and cabbage but that is about all we do. Wonderful to learn more about St Patrick Day.

  73. Kim Seghers permalink
    18/03/2018 6:53 am

    Happy belated St.Patrick’s Day. Great information. I never knew St. Patrick wasn’t irish and St. Patrick’s Day actually started in the United States! I enjoyed learning more facts about this day!!!

  74. Style With Robin permalink
    18/03/2018 10:21 am

    I love all the history of this day…I’m not one to celebrate with beer and food, but love the history!

  75. Daisy permalink
    18/03/2018 9:54 pm

    I hope you had a lovely St Patrick’s Day! My children are part Irish so I hope to visit Ireland with them someday…

  76. Roselle Toledo permalink
    19/03/2018 2:50 am

    Wow! I learned two things today. All my life I thought St Patrick was Irish and that the shamrock is an Ireland symbol. I was playing Bingo Holiday (an online bingo app) and the theme is St Patrick and I was actually wondering about the harp.

  77. Claire permalink
    19/03/2018 3:41 am

    So interesting to learnt the history, I’m not really familiar with this! I didn’t do anything to celebrate though..

  78. Journa Ramirez permalink
    19/03/2018 4:36 am

    I don’t know a lot of things about St. Patrick’s day but I’ve been so curious why green is a famous color during this celebration. Now I know!

  79. Andrea R Warren (@WaldorfFries) permalink
    19/03/2018 7:16 am

    I love all of the wonderful information in your post. I learned so much and the pictures are gorgeous. Hope you had a wonderful St. Patricks Day

  80. Anna Sherchand permalink
    19/03/2018 9:40 am

    I had never heard of those tales before. Also, loved your pictures. I think you have some great skills. Keep writing 🙂

  81. Monique Elise permalink
    19/03/2018 6:54 pm

    Wow very informative! I’m amazed to learn that America made the parades and such popular!

  82. Esme Sy permalink
    20/03/2018 2:06 am

    I’m glad that there are more people investing more time about St. Patrick. He doesn’t have to be religion-limited, he simply was just a man with a story we could learn from regardless of age and race.

  83. Calleigh K permalink
    20/03/2018 5:41 am

    We just love to watch St. Patrick’s day celebrations which are packed with jovial crowds that jam the city streets, and those sparkly, brilliant shades of emerald green.

  84. AlwaysCarryOn.com permalink
    20/03/2018 12:35 pm

    I actually had no idea about the history of St Patrick’s Day! So this was a really educational read for me x

  85. Blair Villanueva permalink
    21/03/2018 2:24 am

    It is interesting to know the facts about St. Patrick’s Day. Nowadays, the celebration are overflowing with booze, and I like it!

  86. acupofassamtea permalink
    21/03/2018 6:14 am

    Your posts always provoke thoughts with great pics. Good read indeed.

    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      14/05/2018 12:25 pm

      Appreciate the feedback

  87. Yeah Lifestyle permalink
    21/03/2018 12:17 pm

    Loved reading your post as I did not know much about the history or traditions behind St Patrick’s Day but now I know a lot more.

    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      14/05/2018 12:24 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it.

  88. Tiffany Yong permalink
    23/03/2018 10:38 am

    It’s nice to be reading so many easter eggs or should I say nuggets of information about this unfamiliar day. St Patrick’s Day is hardly celebrated in Singapore, hence, the lack of knowledge!

    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      14/05/2018 12:24 pm

      Yes, it is a fascinating subject…

  89. Fashion Panache by Bhushavali permalink
    28/03/2018 2:26 pm

    Wish you and your family, a happy Patrick’s Day Liz.
    Lovely post about the details & traditions of St.Patrick’s Day.

    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      14/05/2018 12:19 pm

      Thank you and same to you and yours

  90. Christie Moeller permalink
    28/03/2018 5:12 pm

    LOL It’s so American- mys friends and family in Ireland are like :what the heck is St. Patrick’s Day”.

    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      14/05/2018 12:19 pm

      Hahaha. I can imagine

  91. Holly Lasha permalink
    18/07/2018 10:42 pm

    St patrick’s day is such an interesting holiday. There is so much history involved.

  92. blair villanueva permalink
    18/03/2019 7:02 pm

    Recently, I joined my friend to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day here in Manila and we ended up enjoying lots of beer and foods! All in Green!

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