I know this is an old poll, but St Patricks day is coming soon so I have brought it to the top. You may be interested to know that St Patricks day is celebrated in England. While this is largely, if not completely, due to promotions by the Guinness brewery, hardly anyone in England knows when St Georges day is. Yet most people know when St Patricks day is.
We don't observe the holiday in our house. Americans have the disgusting habit of imbibing green-dyed beer, but Chicago has dyed its river green for decades. Then there are elaborate parades being taken over by gay pride. Nothing of St. Patrick in any of it -- just an excuse to party.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Both Ms. Rad and I are proud of our Irish ancestry (Butler and O'Rourke) We will celebrate that weekend in Gettysburg at the Battlefield B&B. A great time will be had by all there.
I'm in charge of a St. Patrick's Day dinner at my church. Singing, traditional dancing, corned beef and cabbage, the whole 9 yards.
In Boston, Irish pride had a distinctly political and defiant edge to it for decades. In Suffolk County(where Boston is located), its a holiday officially called "Evacuation Day" (March 17, 1776 was when the British army was finally forced out of Boston) but it was established by the first Irish American mayors and city councilmen in the 20th century as "our" holiday.
My boss was from Ireland, and she remembered St. Pat's day as "another day we had to go to Church" but there is a big parade in Dublin now, as well. The parade through South Boston is quite the deal.
There is always a big squabble about gay organizations marching in the parade, I can't actually remember if its OK in Boston this year or not.
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Corn beef & cabbage is actually a amercan thing and was not brought over from Ireland. The History Channel usually has a show on the History of St. Patrick's Day.
I will wear a touch of green in memory Of Patrick Cleburne and the rest of the Irish lads that served the the War Between the States and all other wars.
__________________ Steven Noel Cone Living Historian and Battlefield Preservationest
"Silver Spring Mess" ; "Citizens of the Bonnie Blue" ; "46th Tn Inf. Co. K"
My ancestors came from near Waterford (couldn't get a job at the crystal factory).
We here in San Antonio will be dying the San Antonio River green and renaming it the Shannon for the day. This is followed by a festival by the Harp and Shamrock society. Of course, this is just a warmup to Fiesta in April.
__________________ F. S. Powers
Union Ancersor: Pvt Arnuah Norton, 60th Ohio. (G-G-G Grandfather) Died at Salisbury NC, November 3, 1864
Confederate Ancestors: Captain Thomas A. Morrow, 29th Texas Cavalry (G-G-G- Uncle) and 2LT George W. Morrow, 31st Texas Cavalry (G-G-G Grandfather). Both survived the war
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The History Channel usually has a show on the History of St. Patrick's Day.
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