La' Fhe'ile Pa'draig - St. Patrick's Day
Most of you know this as the celebration of all things 'Green' and 'Irish', but there's much more to this day than just nasty food colorants and shamrocks.
So what is all the fuzz about? Well, St. Patrick's Day is all about, of course, Saint Patrick. Over here in Ireland it is a national holiday (hooray!), and festivals and parades can be found in all major cities. Though celebrated all over Ireland it is probably more popular in the United States as a festival.
So why all that green? Well, most people will say that green is the national colour of Ireland. It had to be green for all the rain that falls around here! But green wasn't always the colour associated with Paddy or Ireland. In fact, BLUE was the colour of the saint. 'Wearing the green' referred to the wearing of a shamrock during this holiday. The national colour's change to green began around 1750.
And why all this shamrock business? Well according to legend, St. Patrick used this humble three leaved icon to try and explain the theory of the Holy Trinity to the Pagans. Legend also has it that St. Paddy chased all the snakes away from Ireland. This probably refers to the Pagans and Druids, using the snake as a important symbol, that were converted by St. Patrick. Real snakes never really returned to Ireland after the last glacial period.
And there you have it :) A wee bit more information about the day so you know what it's all about. Of course, don't let me hold you back from drinking a pint or two. Unless it's green... can't be good for ya. And in the meantime, to prepare for the up and coming St. Patrick's Day why not support yours truly by wearing the shirt I designed for this happy holiday;
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Find some great St. Patrick's Day music at the Celtic Music CD Store or check out Marc Gunn, Celtic American Musician.
So what is all the fuzz about? Well, St. Patrick's Day is all about, of course, Saint Patrick. Over here in Ireland it is a national holiday (hooray!), and festivals and parades can be found in all major cities. Though celebrated all over Ireland it is probably more popular in the United States as a festival.
So why all that green? Well, most people will say that green is the national colour of Ireland. It had to be green for all the rain that falls around here! But green wasn't always the colour associated with Paddy or Ireland. In fact, BLUE was the colour of the saint. 'Wearing the green' referred to the wearing of a shamrock during this holiday. The national colour's change to green began around 1750.
And why all this shamrock business? Well according to legend, St. Patrick used this humble three leaved icon to try and explain the theory of the Holy Trinity to the Pagans. Legend also has it that St. Paddy chased all the snakes away from Ireland. This probably refers to the Pagans and Druids, using the snake as a important symbol, that were converted by St. Patrick. Real snakes never really returned to Ireland after the last glacial period.
And there you have it :) A wee bit more information about the day so you know what it's all about. Of course, don't let me hold you back from drinking a pint or two. Unless it's green... can't be good for ya. And in the meantime, to prepare for the up and coming St. Patrick's Day why not support yours truly by wearing the shirt I designed for this happy holiday;
Rock Those Roots!
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Find some great St. Patrick's Day music at the Celtic Music CD Store or check out Marc Gunn, Celtic American Musician.
--posted by Marc Gunn of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
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