By William Thatcher
When Irish-American immigrants first started waving their Irish flags and parading through the streets a few short decades ago, it was to raise common awareness to the Irish plight and push for equality. Now that there are millions of silly partiers in silly Irish clothing flooding the streets of America each year, do you think those first paraders would feel ashamed? Well, I feel plenty ashamed for all of us, because that's not how we do things in Ireland.
The older ladies and gents of Ireland have no clue what St. Patrick's Day has become in the States. They spend St. Patrick's Day with an early church service and a whole lot of family and friends. If they were even to see someone wearing outrageous Irish tees in church, they would probably die of shock. Some of those t-shirts are quite naughty, and they seem to have become a bit of a tradition in the States. Going to church on St. Patrick's Day isn't just a tradition. You better be sick or dead if you aren't seen at mass or you will get a stern talking to from a few of the elders.
There are plenty of fine fellows who meet up at the pub for a few pints before dinner. If you are expecting to see people slamming back green beer and getting sick off of whiskey shots in Irish party tee shirts, then you will be sorely disappointed. The only reason we tolerate the men going to the pub at all, is so that we have room to work in the kitchen! A huge meal is traditional, and we typically serve up heapings of roast fowl and vegetables.
The cities of Dublin, Cork, and Galway are hosting large events this year too. The parades, music, and festivals are one thing that we took from the Americans that I love quite a bit, actually. There are no dyed rivers or mobs in green Irish tees, but there are lots of great things to do with your family during these festivities. Dublin even has a large treasure hunt planned, so be sure to wear your green when you visit. We wouldn't want and leprechauns seeing you while you hunt for their gold, do we?
I really don't know what it's like celebrating Saint Patrick's Day in America. I can only tell you what I've read about and seen on the telly. I see young people drinking to excess and sicking up on the bright Irish tee shirts they wear. If you are an Irish-American and you have never been to Ireland, I suggest you come this year for Saint Patrick's Day. You will experience a national charm and a happy welcome from everyone you meet. Our festivals are family-oriented and it won't take you long at all to get used to the way we talk. In fact, you may even have an Irish lilt of your own when you finally go home!
About the Author:
You can find an extensive selection of Saint Patrick's Day Irish tee shirts (http://www.funnyirishtshirts.com/WHO-ALL-SEE-THE-LEPRECHAUN-SAY-YEAAAAAH-T-SHIRT-FUNNY-IRISH-T-SHIRTS-FOR-ST.-PATRICK%27S-DAY.HTM) by visiting our website. To shop our online catalog of Irish t-shirts (http://www.kissmyshamrock.com/shirtpages/IRISH-DRINKING-TEAM.htm) , click the links on our home page right right away.
When Irish-American immigrants first started waving their Irish flags and parading through the streets a few short decades ago, it was to raise common awareness to the Irish plight and push for equality. Now that there are millions of silly partiers in silly Irish clothing flooding the streets of America each year, do you think those first paraders would feel ashamed? Well, I feel plenty ashamed for all of us, because that's not how we do things in Ireland.
The older ladies and gents of Ireland have no clue what St. Patrick's Day has become in the States. They spend St. Patrick's Day with an early church service and a whole lot of family and friends. If they were even to see someone wearing outrageous Irish tees in church, they would probably die of shock. Some of those t-shirts are quite naughty, and they seem to have become a bit of a tradition in the States. Going to church on St. Patrick's Day isn't just a tradition. You better be sick or dead if you aren't seen at mass or you will get a stern talking to from a few of the elders.
There are plenty of fine fellows who meet up at the pub for a few pints before dinner. If you are expecting to see people slamming back green beer and getting sick off of whiskey shots in Irish party tee shirts, then you will be sorely disappointed. The only reason we tolerate the men going to the pub at all, is so that we have room to work in the kitchen! A huge meal is traditional, and we typically serve up heapings of roast fowl and vegetables.
The cities of Dublin, Cork, and Galway are hosting large events this year too. The parades, music, and festivals are one thing that we took from the Americans that I love quite a bit, actually. There are no dyed rivers or mobs in green Irish tees, but there are lots of great things to do with your family during these festivities. Dublin even has a large treasure hunt planned, so be sure to wear your green when you visit. We wouldn't want and leprechauns seeing you while you hunt for their gold, do we?
I really don't know what it's like celebrating Saint Patrick's Day in America. I can only tell you what I've read about and seen on the telly. I see young people drinking to excess and sicking up on the bright Irish tee shirts they wear. If you are an Irish-American and you have never been to Ireland, I suggest you come this year for Saint Patrick's Day. You will experience a national charm and a happy welcome from everyone you meet. Our festivals are family-oriented and it won't take you long at all to get used to the way we talk. In fact, you may even have an Irish lilt of your own when you finally go home!
About the Author:
You can find an extensive selection of Saint Patrick's Day Irish tee shirts (http://www.funnyirishtshirts.com/WHO-ALL-SEE-THE-LEPRECHAUN-SAY-YEAAAAAH-T-SHIRT-FUNNY-IRISH-T-SHIRTS-FOR-ST.-PATRICK%27S-DAY.HTM) by visiting our website. To shop our online catalog of Irish t-shirts (http://www.kissmyshamrock.com/shirtpages/IRISH-DRINKING-TEAM.htm) , click the links on our home page right right away.