St. Patrick’s Day is quite possibly my favorite holiday, after Thanksgiving and Christmas of course. I love everything about Ireland and the Irish, as most of you probably already know. I don’t usually go crazy on St. Patrick’s Day, with drinking and partying etc. but I love celebrating the holiday in my own way.
In the past our celebrations have involved my mother making this extemely yummy dish called “Irish Coddle” which is just potatoes, bacon, sausage and onion all cooked together. I think it’s supposed to be a breakfast dish, but we eat it for dinner and it’s amazing. Last year I found a bottle of Bunratty Mead at the local liquor store. We had first drank the mead at Bunratty Castle during our trip to Ireland. There it was pretty good. Here in the US, not so much. But it was a fun way to celebrate. After dinner we usually watched a movie, most likely The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne, or Darby O’Gill and the Little People, which stars a young Sean Connery and has been a favorite of mine since I was very young (back when the banshee at the end terrified me and gave me nightmares, but still didn’t stop me from watching the movie repeatedly).
This year I had to work, so instead I am spending the last hour of my St. Patrick’s day with a glass of wine and writing this blog, while listening to Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly on Pandora. I will probably watch some episodes of The IT Crowd and/or Being Human before going to bed, both of which contain Irish actors, thus fulfilling the Irish film portion of my evening.
But I thought before St. Patrick’s Day is over I would share with you five things to love about Ireland or the Irish.
5. Who doesn’t love a little bit of Baileys poured into a cup of hot cocoa or coffee? I was introduced to the drink while in Ireland, and I must say while I don’t drink much, I do enjoy an occasional shot of Baileys. What’s also great? They now make non-alcoholic Baileys coffee creamers, so you can still have the yummy flavor without the alcohol!
4. Irish Literature. Ireland has a very rich literary history. Many great classic authors come from Ireland for example, Jonathan Swift (Gulliver’s Travels), Bram Stoker (Dracula), James Joyce (The Dubliners), Seamus Heaney, Oscar Wilde, etc. Modern authors include Maeve Binchey, Colm Toibin, Cecilia Ahern (she wrote P.S. I Love You, which is a phenomenal book, but have tissues on hand) and many, many more.
3. Irish Actors. I’m sure you girls out there would agree with me. Ireland has produced some great actors such as Aidan Turner (above, from Being Human), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors, August Rush) and Colin Farrell, just to name a few. Not only are these guys very good looking, but the accent is absolutely to die for. (Oh, and David Boreanaz isn’t Irish but Angel was! Or should I saw Liam?)
2. Music. I love a lot of the classic “Pub Songs.” Songs such as “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Irish Rover” are great. I also love how people always sing along to them in bars. There are also songs known as “Rebel Songs” which are written about the Irish desire for freedom from British rule. One of my favorite Irish songs ever is “Four Green Fields.” My favorite memory from my trip to Ireland is hearing my tour guide sing that song, and the emotion in his voice as he sang. Ireland also gave us U2, one of my favorite bands ever.
1. Ireland. I’m pretty much just in love with the country itself, because honestly, what’s not to love. I absolutely loved every second I spent there and truly hope I can go back some day.
So there’s just a few of the things I love about the Irish. There are so many more that I could list and I could show you many more great photos. But these are just a handful of the reasons Ireland is awesome. So I hope you all had a great St. Patrick’s Day! I’ll leave you with one of my favorite Irish blessings.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
Not Another Dumb Blonde 