Countdown to Saint Patrick's Day

2010 Saint Patrick's Day celebrations worldwide!!

St. Patrick's Day 2009

Over a half million throng the streets of Dublin for the annual Saint Patrick's Day parade...

A wee bit o' the old blarney concerning our Irish American President, Barack O'Bama (aye, and surely ye've heard of the black Irish?) - from the LA Times...





Gerry Adams: Defend the peace. There is no going back...
QUOTE The political institutions, the Peace Process and Sinn Féin are as much a target of the perpetrators of Saturday night’s attack as those they killed or injured. That is why they have to be resisted – politically; democratically; peacefully. UNQUOTE
Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein party of Eire, March 12, 2009

______

For the great Gaels of Ireland

Are the race that God made mad.

For all their wars are merry

And all their songs are sad

- G.K. Chesterton

________

Saint Padraig, Apostle & Enlightener of Ireland

St. Pádraig (Patrick), one of the earliest Christian missionary saints, was born into a noble Roman family from Gaul (France) or Britain in 387 AD. When Pádraig was 16, he was carried off by Irish marauders and sold into slavery. He was made a shepherd, and toiled for six years for an Irish chieftain. Prompted by an angel, Pádraig fled to Gaul and put himself under the spiritual direction of St. Germanus of Auxerre. He prayed and studied and struggled, and after almost 20 years was given a vision of Irish children calling to him: "O holy youth, come back to Erin, and walk once more among us."

The Bishop of Rome, Celestine I, directed St. Pádraig to teach the people of Ireland the way of Christ and bring them into the Church. St. Pádraig and his companions arrived in Ireland in 433 AD, during the summer, and were immediately persecuted by the Druids (Celtic priests).

St. Pádraig did spiritual battle with the Arch-Druid Lochru for the souls of the Irish people. Using a great display of sorcery, Lochru raised himself high in the air to awe the people. St. Patrick fell to his knees in prayer at this sight, and Lochru fell to his death - stripped of his demonic power by God.

Through his God-given gift to powerfully preach the Gospel and his wonder-working, St. Pádraig brought thousands into the fold of the True Faith, starting the demise of paganism on the Emerald Isle.

St. Pádraig returned to the Lord on March 17, 493 AD, after receiving Holy Unction. He laid in state for several days before burial, with a heavenly light surrounding his body.

And what about the Shamrock?

The leaf of the yellow-flowered clover so common in Ireland was used by St. Pádraig to teach the catholic orthodox doctrine of the Most Holy Trinity: one stem (God) with three leaves (Persons). He is often depicted holding up a shamrock between his thumb and first finger in icons.

"St. Pádraig, Apostle and Enlightener of Ireland" was adapted from 'The Real Saint Patrick, Bishop of Ireland', http://www.geocities.com/Athens/3374
~~~
Beannachtai na Feile Padraig / Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Colcannon For St. Pat's

We make it (due to Lent) without bacon, we use the soy-based "schmeat" fakin' bacon stuff, which works just fine.

Beef and Guinness Stew

The countdown to Saint Patrick's day continues!

Countdown to Saint Pat's ~ Enter the Haggis

We caught the lads at the KC Irish Fest a couple of years ago and became instant fans. When they come to a theater near you, drop everything and go!!

Countdown to St. Pat's ~

What happens when rock meets Celtic? You are about to find out. Tempest.

Countdown to Saint Pat's ~ A Denver Pub

My heart's in the highlands....enjoy!

Countdown to St. Pat's ~ The Irish Rover

More glorious tipsy pub songs. Hooley down,lads.

Countdown to St. Pat's ~ Come Out You Black & Tans

One of my favorite songs of the Irish war for independence, and a great crowd pleaser at pubs.

Countdown to St. Pat's ~ The Cliffs Of Dooneen

In most Irish pubs the only bit that is clear is "the cliffs of Dooneen", so the next time you hear it, whether in Boston or Kansas City or Dublin or Shannon, it will likely sound more like "Na nan na da na le la cliffs of Dooneeen"

Countdown to St. Patrick's Day ~ I'll Tell Me Ma

As you lustily sing along with this song, the first in TRT's big song run-up to St. Pat's, it may occur to you to ask "How the heck can anybody wear bells on their toes?" Must be the Prot influence up in Belfast, eh wot?