Top of the morning to you! It’s March 17, aka St. Patrick’s Day 2010. I’ve just finished a bowl of Lucky Charms topped with Jameson, and I’m getting ready to do a power hour of green beer before chowing down on shamrock-shaped cookies. (I’m a traditionalist.)
According to Wikipedia, St. Patrick’s Day is named after Saint Patrick (circa AD 387–461), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland. It began as a purely Catholic holiday becoming an official feast day in the early 1600s. It has, however, gradually become more of a secular celebration of Ireland’s culture ever since. (Read: beer and green stuff.)
Corned beef and cabbage is the traditional meal of the day, but for the non-traditionalist Cooking Light magazine has a healthier, yet still festive option: beef and Guinness stew. Or, if you want to laugh in the face of health, opt for McDonalds’ Shamrock Shake. With Bailey’s Irish Creme!
You could also impress your coworkers with Irish quotes and sayings. “Erin go bragh” is usually translated “Ireland forever,” and it pledges allegiance to Ireland. Here are some other Irish quotes:
“You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your father was.”
“May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends gathered below never fall out.”
“May the sons of your daughters smile up in your face.”
“May God bring good health to your enemies enemies”
Eh. I think I’ll stick with the Shamrock Shake and for music maybe some Flogging Molly. Tonight you can join revelers at your local Irish pub (find one on Yelp), though I find that they get hella crowded. I may opt for a “regular” bar that has some kind of St. Patrick’s Day special.
