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Saint Patrick’s Day Remembers The Irish Tradition

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Tuesday March 17, 2015

By Cookie Steponaitis

While Saint Patrick's Day is generally associated with the Irish culture it has in fact grown into a worldwide day of note. Whether you have Irish blood or not there are several Irish traditions that can be a part of your day this time of year that often lift spirits and bring joy.
    Music, songs and oral histories have been an important part of Irish life since ancient times and were a way of documenting events that included wars, celebrations, love, growth and transitions. In fact music was seen to be creating such a powerful bond among the people that Queen Elizabeth I once decreed all artists and traveling musicians were to be arrested for stirring the seeds of protest and rebellion. Traditional Irish groups like the Chieftains document the songs of the Emerald Isle and more recent groups like Celtic Women add to the wonderful array of Irish music that is available for listening today.
    No Irish celebration could be complete without a Shamrock or two which was originally known as Seamroy, a plant that was sacred because of its symbolic connection to spring and rebirth. The Shamrock is worn today as a symbol of pride and even protest.  The Irish share Shamrocks with friends and family as a way of celebrating life and moments in it that fill up hearts.
    Food is also a traditional way to celebrate the day and if you are not fond of cabbage and Corned Beef, do not despair because St. Patrick's Day also is famous for other foods. Corned Beef has only been a part of the festivities for the past century and prior to that cabbage was the star attraction. Irish Soda Bread, Apple-Cheddar Biscuits, Smoked Salmon Rounds, Cheesy Beer Dip, Irish Potatoes, Chocolate- Mint Cupcakes and Chocolate Mint Brownies are just a few alternatives with roots in the day and very tasty.
    And if you are in fact one of the lucky ones you might even catch a glimpse of a Lobaircin or small bodied fellow from ancient lore known to us today as Leprechauns.  The fairies or tiny men and women from ancient times could use magic to complete both good and evil deeds. Sometimes they were cranky and largely cantankerous and responsible for moving objects, tricking you to see things that are not there or tempting you to find the treasure they keep at the end of the rainbow.
    This reporter's father was legally named Robert Erwin Patrick Thomas leaving little doubt to his ancestry or his pride in it. When St. Patrick's Day arrived his step was a little quicker, his mood a lot brighter and his proclamation for the world an invitation to be Irish, even if just for a day to experience another way of life and embrace some joy and fun. “Today is the day when wishes come true,” he chuckled. “Because on St. Paddy's Day we are all Irish.” So Erin Go Bragh and may all your leprechauns be little ones.

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